A Breakthrough in Core Liquid-Handling Technology
The booth presentation was technologically impressive, engaging, and even charming. Several highly knowledgeable industry professionals recognized that our innovation represents a truly unique advancement in core liquid-handling technology—in contrast to the many sophisticated yet peripheral “bells and whistles” that attempt to compensate for the limitations of existing core systems.
Notably, three experts explicitly told President Don Schwartz that this may be the first genuine breakthrough in core liquid-handling technology since the invention of the syringe itself. Our analogy—comparing this advancement to the transformation of the wheel from a square-like shape to a round one—resonated strongly with the audience. Many responded with smiles, and some appeared genuinely impressed, even awed.
Live Demonstration of High-Precision Pipetting at Industry Showcase
Sasha demonstrates a 96-channel pipetting system to prospective industry clients while Don provides commentary and Richard observes. Hans implemented a critical last-minute, production-focused improvement, and Sasha optimized the programs to showcase maximum performance.
The center table features the self-contained DPDD system, used to demonstrate precise 0.1 µL contact-free pipetting. On the right, handheld units are used in rapid succession to perform pipetting at volumes of 10 µL, 2 µL, 1 µL, and 0.5 µL.
By the end of the event, the setup was refined enough that key prospects were able to sit down comfortably and perform the pipetting demonstrations themselves.
Sign at lower left that faces out into the main aisle
DP96 / NEPTUNE 96 with large Labcon 8010 tips was used to show large 20 µL – 30 µL down to about 1.5 µL.
A DPDD was used to do 0.1 µL pipetting.
A set of handheld pipettors, configured to 10 µL, 2 µL, 1 µL, and 0.5 µL, was used to quickly demonstrate performance across this volume range.
Advanced Contact-Free Pipetting with Dolphin Nose Mandrels
Our new dolphin nose mandrels, equipped with O-ring fittings and compatible with Labcon 8010 tips, support a high capacity of up to 50 µL. Differential mode enables precise aspiration at volumes as low as 1.5 µL.
In non-differential mode, liquid can be dispensed contact-free from several millimeters above the target surface. The tips do not need to touch the receiving surface, eliminating hanging droplets and ensuring clean, consistent delivery.
This type of run became routine by the end of the second day. It leveraged the large capacity of the tips by first dispensing 20–30 µL, followed by indexing the plate and dispensing approximately 1 µL. The results demonstrate consistent and controlled variation in droplet size
No hanging drops.
Jungle Mural
The large, laser-generated jungle mural at the rear right of the booth drew significant attention. Many attendees were immediately captivated, stopping to take a closer look. The artwork depicts a character shaping a square wheel into a round one—an analogy illustrating the transformative impact and importance of our differential displacement design.
Song
Verse 1
Had the hangin’ drop blues, wouldn’t break away
Tiny little sample at the end of the day
Measured just right, but it stuck like glue
Every transfer missin’ what it’s meant to do
Oh, I had those hangin’ drop blues
Verse 2
Fine control, but the flow wouldn’t rise
Too much force and you lose what’s inside
Then a new motion came and changed the rules
Clean release, every time it moves
Chorus
Dual piston cured my hangin’ drop blues
Dual piston cured my hangin’ drop blues
Chorus
Dual piston cured my hangin’ drop blues
Dual piston cured my hangin’ drop blues
Verse 3
Two pistons movin’ with a subtle sway
Small difference, big change in the way
Draw it gently, precisely, and slow
Then one clean push—and out it goes
The final drop is sure to go
Pre-Chorus
Tiny volumes break away with ease
Falling free just the way they’re meant to be
This new motion has changed the rules
No more hangin’ drop blues
Belle captivated the audience with a guitar performance of our original song, “No More Hanging Drop Blues.” The moment was a hit—many attendees loved it, including a principal from a major robotics automation company who could become a valuable customer or partner, as captured in the accompanying photo.
In this way, DRD’s powerful, hands-on demonstrations of its unique core science were complemented by engaging entertainment on one end of the communication spectrum, with more traditional marketing efforts positioned in between.
Schwartz Abstract 2219936 for Poster presentation at the SLAS 2026 International Conference and Exhibition in Boston, Mass Feb 7-11, 2026.
Our Patented dual-piston Differential Displacement Pipettors are a new core liquid-handling invention that can accurately pipette samples down to nanoliters and deliver even the tiniest samples contact-free. Pipetting, the commonest lab test in the world, with millions of manual and automated robotic diagnostics daily, has unstable aspiration and hanging drop delivery for under 10 µL. Solved with new disruptive technology, small barrier to constructive entry.
Two robust pistons of slightly different diameters, bottom a tube and top that may be tapered, line up facing in the same chamber. Moving together, sealing tightly gives fine resolution from the cross-section difference to aspirate nanoliters accurately. Hand unit typical diameter difference is 0.005 inches, top 0.156″ and bottom 0.161″. Moving together gives resolution as fine as 50 µL syringe, or even 10 µL if top is 0.160″ or tapered, handling range 0.1 µL to 20 µL with under 0.5 inch vertical movement. 1 piston alone gives high flow like a 1 mL syringe, easily delivering over 1.5 meters/second TEVIA (Tip Escape Velocity in Articulatum) to blow a small sample with height in tip at least 4X tip ID completely off to the destination without touching.
Covered by US patents 11491477, 11813606 and 11951470. One unit giving both fine differential resolution and high flow power! 1 µL CV is 2% and accuracy 3-4%, with standard deviation of 0.02 µL across the whole range.
96-channel Differential Pipetting system setup for 0.25 µL to 10 µL pipetting. Piston diameters 0.184″ and 0.187″ – fine Differential Aspiration like a 34 µL syringe with full 2 mm stroke per µL, and single piston up to 40 µL with flow like a 1.1 mL syringe to blow off cleanly. A 30-fold resolution multiplier. With 50 µL Labcon 8010 tips. Base assembly with downward reaching steel mandrels grips way down inside each tip so that only about 10 µL of air remains.
Each such setup calibrated by runs showing true regression of theoretical vs expected volume, here a slope of 1.045 and Y intercept of – 429 nanoliters, or algorithm Observed volume = 1.045 (theoretical) – 429 nanoliters to call out exact excursion needed. Our program NB250-2000GRAD-11D-0 aspirates 96 samples and delivers them to 384 plate in 4 quadrants, a favorite being 0.5 µL, 1µL, 1.5 µL and 2 µL that show a perfect visual size pattern of all 384.
Covers 10 µL to 0.25 µL with SD 0.02 µL. Differential aspiration solid for several nanoliters but future work will show if finer probes permit clean blow off or if touchoff delivery needed.
Dear Henry SCHWARTZ,
On behalf of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening’s SLAS2026 Program Committee, thank you for accepting our invitation to present your poster at the SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition.
The conference will be held February 7 – 11, 2026 (Saturday – Wednesday) at Thomas Michael Menino Convention & Exhibition Ctr (Boston Convention Center), Boston, Massachusetts.
It is required that you are at your poster during the scheduled time below, but you may display your poster for the duration of the Exhibition.
Presentation Date: Monday February 9, 2026
Presentation Title: Differential Pipettor aspirates accurately from 0.1 µL to 20 µL and can dispense even the smallest volumes completely, accurately and cleanly contact-free without touching the destination and without contamination.
Track Name: Automation Technologies
Session Title: Poster Presentations: Session B
Session Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Poster Number: 1041-B
Room: Exhibit Halls AB
Song
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