Advancing Research

Esco is dedicated to advancing science and engineering in the fields of airflow control, laboratory ventilation and containment. Our world-leading market positions allow us to maintain one of the largest R&D teams in the industry, working towards raising the bar each day.

Esco was one of the first companies in our industry to employ Computational Fluid Dynamics in simulating and improving the performance and operating envelope during the design and testing phases. We are one of the few manufacturers in our industry to have a fully-staffed in-house microbiological test laboratory, where airflow engineering and microbiological testing principles are combined in applying the definitive test methods specified in NSF49, EN12469, JIS K3800 and other international safety standards. To minimize ambient contamination, tests are performed in a specially designed cleanroom.

The laboratory conducts the following tests on biosafety cabinets:

• Containment testing to determine the protection capacity of the cabinet when bacteria are released inside the work area
• Product protection testing to determine if the bacteria released from outside the work area will contaminate the cabinet interior
• Cross-contamination testing to determine the cabinet protection capacity to prevent cross contamination between specimens placed across the work area
• Testing to determine microbiologically the cleanability of materials used in the cabinet construction
• Testing to determine the effectiveness of decontaminating the cabinet by formaldehyde and other means

Our microbiological testing capabilities are supplemented by KI-discus aerosol containment and ASHRAE-110 chemical containment testing capabilities, enabling us to challenge the performance of our products under all operating conditions. Some of the other innovative projects Esco engineers and scientists are working on include:

• The application of novel methods of decontamination such as hydrogen peroxide to laboratory enclosures
• Improving the stability and long-term reliability of safety control and alarm instrumentation
• Studying the effect of real-world laboratory conditions on containment and performance
• Improving ergonomics and reducing operating noise levels
• Accelerated stress and other environmental tests to maximum product longevity

Esco innovations such as our Accuflow™ speed controller, which relies on multiple signal inputs to deliver the most stable long-term airflow control possible, as well as Isocide™, an antimicrobial coating featured on all Esco Biotech products, are protected under US and other international patents.