8-Well Open-Bottom PS Strips, Natural — Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8174-000 | 100 Strips/Bag
These 8-well open-bottom polystyrene strips from Caplugs® Evergreen (part number 290-8174-000) are engineered for applications that require direct physical, optical, or electrical access to the base of each well — including membrane filter assays, electrode contact workflows, custom surface chemistry, and TIRF imaging. Each strip is entirely floorless, so the well contents can contact membranes, electrode arrays, sensor chips, or functionalized surfaces bonded beneath the strip. Supplied non-sterile at 100 strips per Bag (800 open-well positions total), they seat in standard 12-position SBS strip frames and offer a modular, strip-count-matched alternative to full 96-well open-bottom plates for assay development and low-sample-count protocols.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 290-8174-000 |
| Format | 8-Well Strip |
| Bottom Style | Open — no well floor; each well open at base |
| Material | Polystyrene (PS) |
| Color | Natural |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 100 Strips/Bag (800 open-well positions total) |
| Compatible Strip Frame | Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8103-Z1N HIPS Black Strip Frame |
| BPA / Phthalates | BPA-free; no phthalate plasticizers |
| Country of Origin | USA (California) |
Applications
- Cell migration and invasion assays: Open bottom accepts a membrane filter in a strip-format Boyden chamber configuration for migration and invasion studies without committing to a full 96-well plate.
- Electrochemiluminescence (MSD strip format): Floorless wells allow direct electrode contact required for Meso Scale Discovery strip-format detection.
- Custom and functionalized surface assays: Surfaces can be bonded or applied to the strip underside, enabling custom chemistry or biosensor coupling directly beneath the well contents.
- TIRF imaging: The open bottom allows microscope objective contact for total internal reflection fluorescence imaging in strip-well format.
- Microfluidic strip integration: The open base enables microfluidic channel access and coupling at strip scale.
- Wash-based and vacuum aspiration assays: When combined with a membrane filter, the open bottom supports vacuum aspiration and bottom-drainage protocols.
- Patch-clamp electrophysiology (strip format): Open wells permit electrode access for ion-channel assays in an 8-well strip configuration.
- Assay development and optimization: The modular 8-well format lets researchers allocate one strip per condition before scaling to full open-bottom plates.
Compatibility
These open-bottom strips are designed to seat in standard 12-position SBS strip frames, and are confirmed compatible with the Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8103-Z1N HIPS black strip frame for full automation-compatible plate assembly. The 8-well strip format mirrors the functional well geometry of the Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8121-010 open-bottom 96-well plate, allowing researchers to prototype at strip scale before transitioning to a full-plate workflow. Confirm frame and sealing accessory compatibility with your specific automation deck or detection instrument before deployment.
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers, saline, culture media | Excellent |
| Dilute acids and bases | Good — short-term contact |
| Ethanol (>70%) / isopropanol | Not recommended — PS swells and crazes |
| Acetone / chlorinated solvents | Not recommended — PS dissolves |
| Aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene) | Not recommended |
| Autoclaving | Not compatible — PS is not autoclavable |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA (California), these open-bottom strips are manufactured by Caplugs® Evergreen under ISO quality standards from BPA-free, phthalate-free polystyrene resin. LabSupplies.com is an authorized Caplugs® Evergreen dealer and ships from USA inventory, with tiered pricing available for high-volume research programs, clinical laboratories, and grant-funded institutions. The 100-strip/Bag pack size supports per-strip condition allocation without over-committing consumable budget during assay development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an open-bottom strip different from a standard 8-well strip?
A standard 8-well strip has a solid well floor that contains the sample. These strips have no floor at all — the base of each well is fully open, allowing direct contact between well contents and whatever surface, membrane, or electrode is positioned beneath the strip. This is essential for membrane filter assays, electrode-contact detection, and surface-coupled imaging techniques.
Do these strips require a specific frame, and are they automation-compatible?
Yes — the strips are designed to seat in 12-position SBS strip frames and are confirmed compatible with the Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8103-Z1N HIPS black strip frame. Because assembled strips conform to SBS plate footprint dimensions, they are compatible with standard liquid-handling automation and plate readers; verify your specific instrument deck requirements before use.
Are these strips sterile, and can they be autoclaved?
The strips are supplied non-sterile. Because they are made from polystyrene, they cannot be autoclaved — PS deforms at autoclave temperatures. For sterile applications, treat with UV irradiation or ethylene oxide per your facility's validated protocol, and avoid alcohol concentrations above 70%.
How does the 8-well strip format compare to ordering a full open-bottom 96-well plate?
The strip format lets you allocate a single 8-well strip per experimental condition, making it well suited for assay development, low-sample-count studies, or multi-condition screening where a full 96-well plate would leave many wells unused. Once the protocol is optimized at strip scale, the workflow can be transferred to the Caplugs® Evergreen 290-8121-010 open-bottom 96-well plate for higher-throughput runs.