BEST Series Microgravity Simulators
Biomimetic Engineered Space Technology
The BEST Series brings the gravity of low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars into your own laboratory. Built around a two-axis random positioning machine, every BEST system averages the gravity vector acting on your samples to any value you set between 0 g and 1 g, and confirms it in real time with an on-board accelerometer.
Conventional simulators are limited to flasks and dishes. The BEST platform scales with the complexity of your biology: standard labware on the Z101, interchangeable, autoclavable 3D culture chambers on the Z102, and mechanically loaded tissue and ex vivo organ culture on the Z103.
Features and Benefits
Programmable Partial Gravity
Choose the gravity you need on the touchscreen. For partial gravity, BEST biases the rotation so the sample spends proportionally longer aligned with Earth’s gravity vector.
Target Gravity within 60 Seconds
Accelerometer readings feed back to the motor controller, which adjusts axis speed until the averaged gravity matches your set point. Reaching the target quickly limits the time cells spend adapting to a changing gravity environment before the experiment proper begins.
Every Run Verified and Documented
A 3-axis accelerometer on the rotating frame measures the acceleration the samples experience. The touchscreen displays the averaged 3D acceleration vector during the run, and the controller logs it to a file for analysis, reporting and publication.
01
Select
Choose target partial gravity
02
Reach
Closed-loop control converges on the target
03
Verify
Averaged vector shown live on screen
04
Log
Data saved to file at 10 Hz
Built for the Incubator
The compact benchtop design runs inside a standard incubator (37 °C, 5% CO2) for long-term culture, and homes to a vertical position at a touch for easy loading.
Autoclavable Culture Chambers
Z102 and Z103
Chambers mount directly on the rotating platform and can be sized to the sample: 3D tissues and tissue analogs of any size or shape, made from natural or synthetic biomaterials. Autoclave between runs and swap configurations as your study evolves.
Tunable Mechanical Loading
Z103
A dedicated stepper motor beneath each chamber drives cyclic up-and-down displacement, applying a defined strain at a defined frequency while gravity is simulated. Set both from the touchscreen.
Ex Vivo Organ Culture
Z103
Culture intact musculoskeletal organs, including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle and intervertebral disc, under simulated orbital, lunar or Martian gravity, with or without loading.
BEST Z101
Random Positioning Platform
2D and Standard Labware
Two-axis random positioning platform for standard labware.
Ideal Uses
Pre-flight screening, crystallization, materials
Configuration
Random Positioning Platform
Yes
3D Culture Chamber Assembly
No
Programable Mechanical Loading
No
Ex Vivo Organ Cultur System
No
Samples and Control
Typical Samples
Monolayers, suspensions, protein and material samples
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, run time
Standard Features
Gravity Performance
Target gravity within 60 seconds
3-axis accelerometer verification with data logging
Incubator-compatible
Experiments up to 15 lb
BEST Z102
Platform with Chamber Assembly
3D Tissue Culture
Z101 plus an autoclavable chamber assembly for 3D tissue.
Ideal Uses
Tissue engineering, 3D drug screening
Configuration
Random Positioning Platform
Yes
3D Culture Chamber Assembly
Yes
Programable Mechanical Loading
No
Ex Vivo Organ Cultur System
No
Samples and Control
Typical Samples
Cell-laden scaffolds, hydrogels, 3D tissue analogs
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, run time
Standard Features
Gravity Performance
Target gravity within 60 seconds
3-axis accelerometer verification with data logging
Incubator-compatible
Experiments up to 15 lb
BEST Z103
Platform with Mechanical Loading and Organ Culture
Loaded Tissue and Organ Culture
Z102 plus motorized loading and an ex vivo organ culture system.
Ideal Uses
Mechanobiology, space medicine
Configuration
Random Positioning Platform
Yes
3D Culture Chamber Assembly
Yes
Programable Mechanical Loading
Yes
Ex Vivo Organ Cultur System
Yes
Samples and Control
Typical Samples
Bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, intervertebral disc
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, run time, strain, frequency
Standard Features
Gravity Performance
Target gravity within 60 seconds
3-axis accelerometer verification with data logging
Incubator-compatible
Experiments up to 15 lb
Model Comparison - Applications and Use Case
BEST Z101
Random Positioning Platform
2D and Standard Labware
Two-axis random positioning platform for standard labware.
Overview
Platform-only configuration: programmable, verified partial gravity for the labware you already use.
Stand-out Feature
Any gravity from 0 to 1 g, reached within 60 seconds and documented by the on-board accelerometer.
Configuration Includes
Two-axis random positioning platform
Touchscreen controller
3-axis accelerometer
Flask and dish holders
Ideal Applications
2D monolayer and suspension culture
Protein crystallization
Materials and pre-flight screening
Sample Formats
Flasks, petri dishes, user labware
Culture Chambers
No
Mechanical Loading
No
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, Run Time
BEST Z102
Platform with Chamber Assembly
3D Tissue Culture
Z101 plus an autoclavable chamber assembly for 3D tissue.
Overview
Adds an interchangeable, autoclavable chamber assembly for scaffolds, hydrogels and 3D tissue analogs
Stand-out Feature
Autoclavable chambers bring true 3D tissue culture to simulated orbital, lunar and Martian gravity.
Configuration Includes
Everything in the Z101
Chamber assembly
Interchangeable autoclavable chambers
Ideal Applications
3D tissue analogs and scaffolds
Drug screening in 3D
Stem cell studies
Sample Formats
Scaffolds, hydrogels, 3D tissue
Culture Chambers
Autoclavable
Mechanical Loading
No
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, Run Time
BEST Z103
Platform with Mechanical Loading and Organ Culture
Loaded Tissue and Organ Culture
Z102 plus motorized loading and an ex vivo organ culture system.
Overview
Adds an interchangeable, autoclavable chamber assembly for scaffolds, hydrogels and 3D tissue analogs
Stand-out Feature
Autoclavable chambers bring true 3D tissue culture to simulated orbital, lunar and Martian gravity.
Configuration Includes
Everything in the Z101
Chamber assembly
Interchangeable autoclavable chambers
Ideal Applications
3D tissue analogs and scaffolds
Drug screening in 3D
Stem cell studies
Sample Formats
Scaffolds, hydrogels, 3D tissue
Culture Chambers
Autoclavable
Mechanical Loading
Yes
Touchscreen Parameters
Gravity, Run Time