Key features
- Real-time measurement of viable biomass
- Flexible and scalable system
- Robust and reliable performance
- Possibility to automate feed strategies
- Validated software; CFR21 part 11 compliant
Sales in
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, The Netherlands
Aber Futura – Inline sensor for viable biomass measurement in bioreactors
The principle of the Futura system is based on cell capacitance technology (the ability of a cell to collect an electric charge). Cells with intact plasma membranes in a fermenter can be considered to act as tiny capacitors under the influence of an electric field. The non-conducting nature of the plasma membrane allows a build-up of charge. The resulting capacitance can be measured: it is dependent upon the cell type and directly proportional to the membrane-bound volume of these viable cells.
ABER´s technology converts capacitance into a live biomass reading, typically cells/mL or g/L. However, other units can be derived from the raw capacitance measurements; these may be more relevant to the chosen application. FUTURA also measures the conductivity of the medium. Conductivity is not used to measure biomass but is indicative of the production or utilization of ions by the cell suspension.
The robustness and proven performance of Aber’s sensors make them the first choice for manufacturing, providing a clear and consistent scalable pathway from R&D and process development all the way through to cGMP manufacturing.
The FUTURA system is a modular system existing of 3 hardware components and a software package. Need help in building your own FUTURA system? Please contact us and we will get in touch with you to discuss the most suitable option for your needs.
Aber Futura System Components
The FUTURA system consists of three main hardware components: the probe, head amplifier, and transmitter (connection hub), with the option to integrate FUTURA SPECTRA between the FUTURA head amplifier and the FUTURA Connect transmitter. A range of probes is available to suit different applications and bioreactor scales, and system validation can be performed using a probe tester and signal simulator.
The head amplifier powers the probe and processes capacitance and conductivity signals, which are transferred to the selected output via the transmitter. Various transmitter configurations are available, allowing integration with a PC or bioreactor control system through standard communication protocols.
FUTURA SPECTRA extends the system by performing real-time frequency scanning and calculating derived dielectric parameters, including critical frequency (Fc), Cole–Cole alpha, and delta capacitance (ΔC). These parameters provide additional insight into cell state, morphology, and physiological behaviour, supporting earlier detection of process changes such as apoptosis, contamination, or shifts in culture performance. Those derived parameters are directly available for automation and feedback control via the transmitter.
This enables the creation of parameter-based models that can be consistently applied from process development through to cGMP manufacturing, supporting enhanced process understanding and more advanced monitoring and control strategies.
The platform is supported by software for both development and manufacturing. FUTURA SCADA enables real-time monitoring, data logging, alarm handling, and integration with control systems, while FuturaTool is used for system setup, configuration, and diagnostics.
Downloads
FUTURA Cataloge
Aber Futura Brochure
Application note – Optimized perfusion
Technical Report
Product Sheet & Technical Data
FUTURA SPECTRA brochure
Technical data
Standard Futura
| Frequency Range | 50 kHz to 20 MHz |
| Measuring Range | Capacitance: 0.0 to 400 pF/cm Conductivity: 1.0 to 40 mS/cm +/- 0.1 mS/cm (Higher ranges available with compatible probes) |
| Cell Concentration Range | Depends on cell sizes but typically: Yeast (6 µm): 106 cells/ml to 1010 cells/ml Bacteria (1 µm): 109 cells/ml to 1013 cells/ml Animal Cell (12 µm): 105 cells/ml to 109 cells/ml Plant Cell (50 µm): 103 cells/ml to 107 cells/ml |
| Resolution | Resolution: 0.1 pF/cm. Approx: Bacteria typically 2 g/L dry weight or 2*109 cells/ml for E.coli Yeast or Animal Cells 0.05 g/L or 1*105 cells/ml The relationship of these capacitance values to biomass levels depends upon the cell type and line. |
| Accuracy | Typically better than +/- 3% or +/- 2% of the reading |
| Stability | Better than +/- 0.2 pF/cm at constant temperature with standard conductivity solution of ~ 12 mS/cm |
| Linearity | Better than +/- 1% over 100 pF/cm |
| Precision | Typically < +/- 0.5 pF/cm, no filter active. |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 50 mm x 130 mm x 64 mm |
| Weight | 375 g |
Standard Remote Futura
| Frequency Range | 50 kHz to 20 MHz |
| Measuring Range | Capacitance: 0.0 to 400 pF/cm Conductivity: 1.0 to 40 mS/cm +/- 0.1 mS/cm (Higher ranges available with compatible probes) |
| Cell Concentration Range | Depends on cell sizes but typically: Yeast (6 µm): 106 cells/ml to 1010 cells/ml Bacteria (1 µm): 109 cells/ml to 1013 cells/ml Animal Cell (12 µm): 105 cells/ml to 109 cells/ml Plant Cell (50 µm): 103 cells/ml to 107 cells/ml |
| Resolution | Resolution: 0.1 pF/cm. Approx: Bacteria typically 2 g/L dry weight or 2*109 cells/ml for E.coli Yeast or Animal Cells 0,05 g/L or 1*105 cells/ml The relationship of these capacitance values to biomass levels depends upon the cell type and line. |
| Accuracy | Typically better than +/- 3% or +/- 2% of the reading |
| Stability | Better than +/- 0.2 pF/cm at constant temperature with standard conductivity solution of ~ 12 mS/cm |
| Linearity | Better than +/- 1% over 100 pF/cm |
| Precision | Typically < +/- 0.5 pF/cm, no filter active. |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 30 mm x 135 mm x 64 mm |
| Weight | 211 g |
