The Best Imaging and Analysis Tool for Your Plankton Research


Image, count, and measure thousands of organisms per minute with FlowCam, the world’s first flow imaging microscope for plankton analysis.

 




Expand & accelerate plankton research with high-speed imaging that offers the most versatile size range on the market. Analyze thousands of particles for size, shape, and concentration in less than a minute.

Reliable Plankton Data Starts with Better Imaging 

Tell us about your plankton analysis needs

380 +

Published papers

40+

Particle properties
for every image

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Software platform

Analyze Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

FlowCam can automatically capture high-resolution digital images of thousands of microscopic particles per minute. Analyze live or preserved samples and let FlowCam’s software, VisualSpreadsheet, handle image capture, segmentation, and measurement automatically. FlowCam offers different models adapted to capture phytoplankton and zooplankton in a variety of size ranges. 
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FlowCam 8000 for Phytoplankton Analysis

The FlowCam 8000 Series offers high-speed color imaging plus the optional added power of fluorescence triggering for differentiating phytoplankton from other particles based on pigment. It can capture particles ranging from 2 µm to 1000 µm using a suite of objective lenses and flow cells to optimize image quality without sacrificing speed. Ideal for research programs with diverse imaging needs.

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FlowCam Macro for Zooplankton Analysis

Offering the highest throughput of any benchtop plankton imager, FlowCam Macro can crank through liters of water in minutes.

Thanks to its flow-based design and small footprint, researchers are taking advantage of having FlowCam Macro at sea to enable real-time data collection on live samples.

Optimized for Aquatic Monitoring and Research Applications

When selecting an analysis instrument for water quality monitoring, plankton research, aquaculture, or microalgae cultivation, FlowCam offers unmatched capabilities.

Feature Manual Microscopy Traditional Particle Sizer FlowCam
Particle Sizing ✅
(Direct)		 ✅
(Indirect)		 ✅
(Direct)
Particle Morphology ✅ ✘ ✅
High Throughput ✘ ✅ ✅
Particle Classification ✅ ✘ ✅
Real-Time Imaging ✘ ✘ ✅

“Using FlowCam, I’m able to see organisms in more detail and get well-focused, reproducible images virtually every time.”

- Mallory Mintz, PhD Student
Cohen Lab, Marine Microbial Ecology & Ocean Biogeochemistry
UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

About FlowCam

FlowCam is a flow imaging microscope that allows researchers to image, count, measure & classify phytoplankton & zooplankton. 

Interested in learning more? Get in touch to tell us about your needs, and we can help determine if FlowCam is right for you.


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Why FlowCam for Plankton Research?

For over 25 years, FlowCam has been chosen by scientists looking for a flexible, reliable, and accessible way to incorporate high-speed imaging into their research. Here are some of the reasons why they choose FlowCam:

  • Speed enables them to sample more places more often than previously possible.
  • Image quality facilitates plankton identification, along with color images and optional pigment-based triggering.
  • Quantitative imaging produces data on particle concentration, size, morphology, and more.
  • Flexible options for data analysis: use built-in tools or export to platforms like EcoTaxa.

Accelerate & Expand Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Research with FlowCam

FlowCam offers a comprehensive portfolio of flow imaging microscopes and software for detailed image analysis.
See the Power of Particle Analysis with Vision® 


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