Products for Animal and Insect Respirometry Qubit Systems offers a wide range of options for measuring respirometry in animals and insects. Choose from 1, 4, 8 or 16 channel systems incorporating the O2 and CO2 analyzers of your choice. Our customized software will control the gas exchange system, calculate the parameters you require and provide data in graphical and spreadsheet formats. The diagram below shows a generalized 8 channel respirometry system, configured for open flow use, with components labelled. Choose the components you require from our links below, or contact us so that we may help you design the system you need.

Testimonial: When purchasing a new gas exchange system for research purposes, I took a chance with Qubit systems; they claimed to produce a competitive system at almost half the price of those of more established companies. I am happy to say that I am entirely happy with my decision. I now have a reliable and versatile system that is just as accurate as the more expensive competition and, because it is modular, can be expanded as my needs evolve. Most importantly, I received outstanding service during all phases of purchase: conception, ordering, installation and continuing help. Bill Shipley, Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke

A = Compressed Gas B = Pressure Regulator C = 8 Channel Gas Flow Controller and Monitor D = 8 Channel Gas Switcher E = Drying Column F = Subsampling Gas Pump

G = Flow Meter H = Needle Valve and Filter I = CO2 Analyzer J = Pressure Control Needle Valve K = Differential O2 Analyzer (DOX) L = DOX Flow Controller

Gas is supplied from a compressed source or gas mixing system and delivered to the Gas Flow Controller at a regulated pressure. The gas flow controller splits the gas into parallel gas streams each at a measured flow set by the user. Gas enters the sample chambers and then the gas switcher, which diverts the effluent gas to the gas analyzers or to the atmosphere. Gas for analysis is sub-sampled by a pump and flow meter, and is flushed through the CO2 and/or O2 analyzers in series or parallel. The system can also be set up for closed system gas analysis.

Gas Flow Controller and Monitors Qubit Systems' gas flow controllers and monitors are a cost-effective way to track continuous flow rates using high quality needle valves. The units are designed in 2 flow ranges from 0-200 mL/min and 0-2000 mL/min, with other flow rates available upon request. Choose from single or multichannel instruments, configured specifically for your application. Flow monitors are calibrated individually by Qubit and specific calibration values are provided for each unit. Data may be collected with our C950 Customized Gas Exchange Software, C901 Logger Pro Software, or any other data acquisition software that accepts a 0 - 5 V analog signal.
Sample Chambers Qubit's chambers feature a clear acrylic body with plastic end caps. The smaller chambers use a double "O" ring sealing system to ensure a gas tight fit. Both of the larger chambers include an integrated fan to ensure that the sample gas is well mixed. All of the animal chambers come with a port for the S131 Temperature Sensor. Each chamber is shipped with an accessory kit that includes extra stoppers for the temperature sensor port, tubing and Luer fittings, a supply of vacuum grease to lubricate and seal the end caps and a small amount of Qubitac sealant to plug any leaks.
Gas Switchers Qubit Systems's Multichannel Gas Switchers are designed for use in gas exchange systems in which gases from sample chambers are selected sequentially for analysis. In Open Flow Mode the Gas Switcher takes gas from all sample chambers, selects one line for analysis and vents the other lines to the atmosphere. In Stop Flow Mode, the switcher seals the sample chambers for a user-defined period. System setup for either mode is fast and easy.
Air Pumps Qubit's gas pumps sample air from the laboratory, or from a gas bag, and pumps this through a gas exchange system at a measured flow rate. The pumps have various ranges up to 3 L/min, which is excessive for direct use with many sensors. Flow rate may be attenuated by a flow meter or an appropriate flow restrictor. Input and output gas ports are fitted with Luer-lock connectors for easy attachment to any gas exchange system.
Flow Meters (Rotameters) Qubit’s flow meters may be used to regulate gas flow in packages for measuring respiration rate and photosynthesis (appropriate flow meters are supplied with packages), or in other gas exchange systems. Research grade flow meters are designed as modular units that can be attached easily to other components of Qubit's research grade gas exchange systems. Each of our research grade flow meters is fitted with a high quality, front-mounted needle valve to adjust flow.
Carbon Dioxide Analyzers Qubit Systems manufactures a range of accurate, low-cost Infrared CO2 Analyzers that have numerous biological and environmental monitoring applications. Use our CO2 analyzers to measure photosynthesis in plants, respiratory CO2 fluxes in animals, roots, soil samples, microorganism colonies, CO2 content of exhaled air in humans, etc. The analyzers are easy to use and are inexpensive enough for classroom applications, yet they have the accuracy and reliability required for many research purposes.
Oxygen Analyzers Qubit Systems' gas-phase O2 sensors provide accurate measurements of oxygen concentration from 0-100% with a resolution of 0.01% (100 ppm). The O2 sensors can be configured for use in open flow or stop flow (closed) gas exchange systems. For experiments requiring greater accuracy, Qubit Systems manufactures the world's only patented Differential Oxygen Analyzer (DOX) with a resolution of ±0.1 Pa O2 against a background of air (20.9 kPa). This remarkable instrument represents an unprecedented advancement in respirometry and photosynthesis research.
Gas Mixing Systems Qubit Systems' Gas Mixing Systems can be used to mix gases together to provide just about any mixture that you require. The systems use Mass Flow Controllers, which are controlled by PC-based software to provide accurate gas flows as calculated in the software. Qubit's gas mixing software can mix gases automatically - just select the gas mixture you require and the total flow rate of the mixed gas; the software will do the rest. The software performs all of the calculations to generate the gas composition that you require.
Temperature Monitors and Sensors Qubit Systems's line of Temperature sensors can be used in solid, aqueous or gaseous media. The sensors are extremely durable and have a very fast response time. Choose from probes housed in a stainless steel tube or thermistors for measuring leaf temperature or temperature inside the dissolved oxygen cuvette. Qubit Systems's multichannel temperature monitors allows multiple temperature probes to be monitored continuously and simultaneously across the full physiological range with a resolution of 0.01oC.
Pressure Regulators Accurate control of system gas pressure ensures that flow rates set in the gas exchange system remain constant throughout experiments. Although Qubit's software accounts for any variations in flow rate, setting and maintaining system pressure guarantees that sufficient gas is supplied to all sample chambers at the desired flow rate. The precision gas pressure regulators have a range of 0-10 and 0-15 psi and may be used downstream of our high volume pumps or to regulate pressure downstream of a compressed gas source.