Overview

What you can measure

  • Static contact angle
    Sessile drop, captive bubble and meniscus methods
  • Dynamic contact angle
    Dynamic contact angle, advancing and receding contact angle, contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angle
  • Surface free energy
    Sessile drop, captive bubble and meniscus methods
  • Surface- and interfacial tension
    Pendant drop and reverse pendant drop methods
  • Roll-off angle 
  • Batch contact angle

Widen your view

This 2-minute video will give you a quick overview of our optical tensiometer Theta Lite. Watch the video in fullscreen for the best experience. 

3 reasons to invest

Incredibly easy to use

Theta Lite is controlled with OneAttension software that has been designed for extreme user-friendliness. OneAttension analyzes your results in real-time and includes a batch quality control measurement mode for efficient industrial quality control. No complicated adjustments needed, the system comes fully assembled and ready to perform. 
 

Packed with smart features

The automatic disposable tip dispenser ensures you don’t need to worry about cleaning as droplets are created precisely using a disposable pipette tip. The droplet volume is calculated from the live image with advanced machine vision to ensure repeatability.

Designed for high accuracy

Precise automated or manual droplet deposition will keep the droplet volume the same each time to minimize any result variation. The Theta Lite camera captures the extremely fast wetting phenomena up to 2068 FPS and performs exceptionally precise drop shape analyses with 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution. It is included in every Theta Lite system as a default.
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Not sure which tensiometer you need?

Use InstruMentor to find and customize your optimal instrument.

InstruMentor – Tensiometer selector

Specifications

A closer look

Dive in to the specifications of Theta Lite and compare it to Theta Flex to find what you need. Consider automation level and need of double dispensers for handling more than one liquid. 

 
Theta Flex
Theta Lite

Available Measurements
Static contact angle
 √ √
Dynamic contact angle
 Automatic Automatic
Surface/Interfacial tension
 √ √
3D surface roughness
 √ –
Interfacial rheology
 √ –
Surface free energy
 Zisman Plot, OWRK/Extended Fowkes, van Oss Acid-Base, Wu, Neumann’s Equation of State, Schultz 1 and 2

Available Measurement Methods
Sessile drop
 √ √
Batch sessile drop
 √ √
Captive bubble
 √ √
Pendant drop
 √ √
Reverse pendant drop
 √ √
Meniscus
 √ √
Dynamic contact angle
 Automatic Automatic
Pulsating drop
 √ –
3D Topography
 √ –

Hardware
Measuring range (°, mN/m)
 0…180, 0.01…2000 0…180, 0.01…2000
Accuracy (°, mN/m)
 ±0.1, ±0.01 ±0.1, ±0.01
Maximum sample size (mm)
 Unlimited×100×320 (with stage) Unlimited×45×200 (with stage)
Integrated sample holders
 Yes Yes
Frame interval
 0.33 ms ... 1000 s 0.48 ms ... 1000 s
Maximum resolution (px)
 1984×1264 1280×1024
Maximum measuring speed (fps)
 3009 2068
Camera
 USB 3.0 digital camera with zoom USB 3.0 digital camera
Camera protection
 Inside instrument covers Inside instrument covers
Camera view angle (°)
  -4.5 ... 2.5  -2 ... 2
Light source and size
 LED based background lighting, 62 x 62 mm LED based background lighting, Ø 20 mm
Field of view (Ø, mm)
 1.44…32.3 2.9…12 
Measurement indicator LED
 Yes No
Disposable tip dispensing
 √ √
Dimensions — Basic frame (L×W×H, mm)
  765 x 230 x 435  495 x 130 x 310
Weight — Basic frame (kg)
 26 5
Power supply (VAC)
 90…264 100…240
Frequency (Hz)
 47 ... 440 50 ... 60
 
Dispenser
Droplet placement
Sample stage
Camera
Possible upgrades
Theta Flex Auto 5
 Auto, 4 liquids Auto Auto XYZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Auto 4
 Auto, 2 liquids Auto Auto XYZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Auto 3
 Auto, 1 liquid Auto Auto XYZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Auto 2
 Auto, 2 liquids Auto Auto X, Manual YZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Auto 1 
 Auto, 1 liquid Auto Manual XYZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Plus
 Auto, 1 liquid Manual Manual XYZ 1984 × 1264 px, max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Flex Basic
 Manual Manual Manual XYZ 1984 × 1264 px,  max 3009 FPS Full
Theta Lite Auto 2  
 Auto, 2 liquids Manual Manual YZ 1280 x 1024 px,  max 2068 FPS Limited
Theta Lite Auto 1  
 Auto, 1 liquid Manual Manual YZ 1280 x 1024 px,  max 2068 FPS Limited
Theta Lite Basic
 Manual Manual Manual YZ

1280 x 1024 px, max 2068 FPS

 Limited

Software

OneAttension Software

We made our software for Theta Lite with you in mind. It is a fine combination of a very intuitive interface and high functionality. Follow your experiment live, and get the results within seconds. OneAttension is analyzing made easy. Let's have a look at the features! 

OneAttensionThetaLite

OneAttension Features

  • User friendly interface
    To get you going in no time
  • Fully automatic dynamic contact angle mode with the needle method
    For user independent results
  • Automatic baseline detection and drop shape fitting
    For simplicity and precision
  • Batch angle mode
    When you have plenty of tests to run in no time
  • Meniscus contact angle mode
    When you are finding out the contact angle of fibers
  • Automated liquid purity checkup
    So you can trust your results

Accessories

Add more possibilities

A range of different accessories and modules expand the capabilities of Theta Lite. Explore the possibilities to widen your measurements with our selected favorites, or see the full list below. 

c208w

Fluid bath heated cuvette chamber for interfacial tension studies with separate cuvette, 100°C (C208W)

For measurement of interfacial tension between two liquids by pendant/raising drop method. Includes cuvette C208C andwater bath thermostatted sample stage cuvette holder. Requires water bath.
c203w

Measuring chamber, fluid bath heated, 110° C (C203W)

Thermostatted fluid bath measuring chamber for air phase temperature control of substrate and drop. Requires fluid bath
c218

Tilting stage (C218)

Tilting stage with manual tilting. Used for studying dynamic contact angles. Tilting range from 0 to 90°. Coarse and fine tilting movement.

Recommendations

What others say

Our instruments are present at many prestigious universities and research facilities world wide. Take a minute to find out what others say about Theta instruments. 

citat8

 

Ville Jokinen, Aalto University

"When you're working with the instrument every day, automated reliable measurements are very important."

Watch the full story

 

Aalto_University_logo-sv

Aalto University, Finland

Aalto University is a top Finnish university combining science, technology and arts into a collaborative environment for both scientific communities and companies. Our contact angle meters and tensiometers have been used there in research for decades. 

citat8

 

Terry Qian, GSM, Apple

"I’m satisfied with Biolin Scientific customer service, quick response, efficient on-site support to setup the instrument and train end user on how to handle the machine properly. In especially urgent cases, Biolin Scientific always try to allocate resources to fulfill Apple needs. I really appreciate it."

apple_logo-450

Apple

Apple is an innovative American multinational technology company founded in 1976. 

Knowledge

Learn more

We have gathered all our in-depth knowledge associated with Theta Lite. Browse around amongst webinars, case studies and white papers to find a topic of interest. 

  • Attension
Overview

The Importance of Contact Angle in Industry

Get examples of how contact angle measurements are utilized in different industries.

Get it
  • Attension
White Paper

Surface and Interfacial Tension

Learn what it is and read our review of the most commonly used measurement techniques.

Download
  • Attension
Webinar

How to Measure Superhydrophobic Surfaces in Practice?

Learn how your measurements should be conducted for reliable results and what instrumentation you need.

Go there
  • Attension
Overview

Surface Free Energy Methods

You get an introduction to surface free energy methods and a comparison chart.

Get it
  • Attension
Overview

The Importance of Surface Tension in Industry

Detergents, paints, food. We give you examples to how surface and interfacial tension measurements are utilized in different industries.

Get it
  • Attension
White Paper

Contact Angle - What is it and how do you measure it?

Learn more about one of the most used measurement method to study the wettability of the surface.

Download
  • Attension
White Paper

Surface Free Energy - What is it and how to measure it?

We explain the concept of surface free energy and present the most important theories behind it.

Download
  • Attension
Webinar

Surface Free Energy in Practice

We give you the reasons why to measure surface free energy and show how it is done.

Go there
  • Attension
Overview

Wettability of Contact Lenses

Get an overview of wettability and contact angle on contact lens and an introduction to captive bubble method.

Get it
  • Attension
White Paper

Surface and Interfacial Tension

Study the different measurement methods to select the best choice for your application.

Download
  • Attension
Case Study

Determination of Optimal Plasma Treatment Time of Polypropylene

Learn how contact angle and surface free energy can be utilized to determine the optimum plasma treatment time.

Get it
  • Attension
Webinar

Surface Tension and Surfactants in Industrial Processes

Get an overview of how surfactants are used in industrial processes.

Go there
  • Attension
Webinar

Using Contact Angle Measurements in Surface Research and Quality Control

Get an understanding about how contact angle measurements are utilized in industry to optimize and control surfaces.

Go there
  • Attension
White Paper

Wettability Measurements in Biomedical Applications

Read how wettability measurements have been utilized in biomedical research

Download
  • Attension
Webinar

Characterizing Water Repellency with Dynamic Contact Angles

Learn about dynamic contact angles from our experts, and find out why it is useful when characterizing the water repellency of a surface.

Go there
  • Attension
Case Study

Evaluation of Biomedical Coatings with Contact Angle Measurement

Learn how contact angle measurements can be used to evaluate biomedical coatings.

Get it