Application Note

Independent channels: variable-volume workflows without sacrificing throughput

On i.prep 2, independent channels means an 8-channel workflow is not limited to one shared pipetting action. Each channel can be controlled fully independently for position, volume, and action, allowing different wells to be handled in different ways within the same workflow.

This means one channel can be aspirating while another is dispensing, or each channel can approach its own well with different liquid-handling conditions. This matters because many real sample-preparation workflows are not uniform across a plate: applications such as plate normalisation and variable-volume preparation often require different treatment well by well, and independent channels make it possible to automate those workflows without sacrificing multi-channel throughput.

How it differs

A conventional multi-channel system works best when every active lane performs the same transfer at the same volume. i.prep 2 keeps the throughput benefits of multi-channel handling, but allows each lane to carry the volume its assigned well actually requires so the workflow can stay batched even when the transfer plan varies across the plate.

Conventional multi-channel

Every tip is at the same height with the same volume.

i.prep 2 independent channels

Each tip can hold a variable volume at a variable position.

True cherry picking

Independent channels also makes selective picking practical. Instead of forcing every active lane to follow one shared height and having to hang off the edge of a plate, i.prep 2 can lower only the channels needed for the selected wells while the rest remain unused.

Conventional multi-channel

All positions are loaded at one depth; target wells still share one setup.

A128 uL

B128 uL

i.prep 2 cherry picking

Only target wells are loaded, with independent depth and volume for each transfer.

A118 uL

E142 uL

Practical benefits

Independent channels is useful because it expands the class of workflows that can stay genuinely multi-channel. Instead of being limited to identical repeated transfers, i.prep 2 can support workflows in which each sample needs a different treatment while still preserving useful throughput.

Higher-throughput

i.prep 2 keeps non-uniform plate preparation in an efficient multi-channel format, helping teams complete workflows such as full-plate normalisation far faster than if they had to slow the method down or break it into serial steps.

Less manual preparation

Measured input data can drive the transfer plan directly, reducing the need for hand-calculated corrections, plate splitting, or well-by-well intervention before a run can begin.

Fit for real sample sets

Many sample plates are not uniform. Independent channels allow i.prep 2 to handle well-specific sample and diluent requirements without forcing the workflow into one repeated transfer pattern.

Flexible tip usage

i.prep 2 can pick up only the number of tips a workflow actually requires, helping avoid wasted consumables and making partial-column or uneven plate operations more practical to run.

Where It Makes A Difference

A clear example of channel independence in practice

Channel independence matters most when a workflow still needs to run at plate scale, but the wells no longer require the same transfer. The clearest example on i.prep 2 is full-plate normalisation, where each well may need a different sample and diluent volume to reach a common target while the workflow still benefits from multi-channel throughput.

Case Study spotlight

Full 96-well plate normalisation to a 10 µg/mL target

In this workflow, runtime concentration data is supplied in Flow Studio and used to calculate the sample and diluent volume required for each well. Rather than applying one shared dispense recipe across the plate, the protocol builds a true per-well transfer plan to bring a variable source plate to a common 10 µg/mL target at 120 uL final volume.

This is exactly where independent channels becomes operationally important. The workflow still runs in an 8-channel format, but each active lane can execute the transfer volume its assigned well actually needs. That makes full-plate normalisation practical without giving up the throughput advantages of multi-channel liquid handling.

Read the normalisation case study

Independent channels: variable-volume workflows without sacrificing throughput

How it differs

Conventional multi-channel

i.prep 2 independent channels

True cherry picking

Conventional multi-channel

i.prep 2 cherry picking

Practical benefits

Higher-throughput

Less manual preparation

Fit for real sample sets

Flexible tip usage

A clear example of channel independence in practice

Full 96-well plate normalisation to a 10 µg/mL target

Related reading

Full 96-well plate normalisation to a 10 µg/mL target

Using the i.prep 2 scripting and API docs

Repeatable 8-channel gravimetric dispense performance