Hamilton BiOS®
Secure
-80°C
Biological Sample Storage
Store Up to
23 Million
Samples
Fully
Green
Refrigeration
Links Seamlessly With Your Lab
BiOS interfaces with your IT infrastructure and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by providing the BiOS API and remote monitoring options.
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Use case
How It's Used
Aiding Responsiveness for Alzheimer's Disease Research
Indiana University School of Medicine is a leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and is home to the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD). A BiOS M10 helps NCRAD improve efficiency and consistency in its biological sample storage and retrieval processes.
References
Aiding Responsiveness When Supplying Samples for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research
Indiana University School of Medicine is a standout leader…
BiOS - Minus 80°C Automated Lab Freezer
Your Solution for Biological Sample Management
Hamilton BiOS is an automated storage system designed to store sensitive biological samples. This ultra-low temperature, minus-80°C freezer can help preserve biological sample integrity. BiOS can be scaled to fit your laboratory needs as a premier option for storing biological specimens.
Secure Biological Sample Storage
BiOS stores biological samples at minus 80°C and keeps specimens close to the temperature throughout their entire life inside the system. All the while introducing and sorting samples, managing the inventory, and processing and delivering orders within a single automated lab freezer. In addition, BiOS records a full audit trail and temperature log for all samples managed in the system.
Its modular and scalable design allows storage of 100,000 to 23 million samples in a wide variety of labware. It seamlessly interfaces with your IT infrastructure and LIMS by providing the BiOS API and remote monitoring options, making it well-suited for biorepository freezer workflows.
Power and Simplicity Combined
The BiOS automated sample storage platform runs on the powerful, easy-to-use INSTINCT S software, which allows users to run daily operations with minimal training.
Common applications Genomics, Protein Sciences, Biobanking, Pharma & Biopharma, Gene and Cell Therapy, Biotechnology
Featured Technologies
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Storage Technologies-80°C Universal Picker
For ultimate flexibility
BiOS systems feature at least one -80°C Tube Picker for all sample picking and defragmentation. This picker is compatible with a wide range of labware types and multiple labware types per system, without any need for mechanical modification. Most importantly, picking occurs within a dedicated -80°C chest freezer to maintain sample temperature during picking.
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Storage TechnologiesTube Side Barcode Reader
For enhanced traceability
An optional Tube Side Barcode Scanning Module is available to identify 1D and 2D barcodes on the sides of tubes and associate that barcode information with their location in the parent rack. Improves sample tracking and supports compound library governance by associating tube identity with rack and location history.
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Storage TechnologiesRedundant Refrigeration
For preventing disruptions
Fully redundant refrigeration modules provide increased system uptime. These modules maintain continuous operation in the event of primary component failure, reducing downtime and potential sample loss. Helps protect long-term storage by maintaining stable storage conditions during component failures.
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Storage TechnologiesParallel Processing
For the highest throughput
BiOS automation modules are designed to move simultaneously, in parallel, to complete jobs faster. Additional modules, such as a second picker, reduce job processing time and act as a built-in "spare" to minimize downtime.
Hamilton BiOS ensures samples are kept at ultra-low temperatures, even during processing. By reducing temperature fluctuations, sample degradation is prevented.
With two different models (M and L), the capacity of BiOS minus 80°C lab freezer systems can be scaled to fit your specific storage facility needs.
A mixture of labware, including a wide variety of microtubes, cryovials, and blood tubes, can be stored and sorted within the same system, giving laboratories greater flexibility for managing biological samples.
Reliability is key to maximizing productivity. BiOS realizes this by keeping all automation in the minus 20°C area to increase dependability.
Service to the system can be performed quickly and efficiently because the refrigeration mechanical-electrical systems are externally accessible, minimizing downtime.
Explore Hamilton BiOS
BiOS is designed to provide sample integrity, flexibility, and reliability.
1
User Access
Introduce and retrieve samples simply using the multifunctional Input/Output (I/O) module. This frees up time to work on more important tasks, such as your research.
2
ID Station
The ID station utilizes a camera and mirror system to simultaneously image 2D barcodes on the bottoms of tubes and racks, as well as 1D and 2D barcodes on the sides of racks.
3
Modular -80°C Refrigeration Systems
Each system has multiple independent and fully redundant refrigeration systems for maximum sample security, and external service access for ease of maintenance.
4
Cassette Puller
The puller transports cassette shelving units to/from the I/O module for loading and unloading samples. It also places/ejects labware from cassettes in long-term storage.
5
Rack Robot
The Rack Robot transports sample racks and plates between the Cassette Puller, the -80°C Tube Picker, and the ID Station.
6
Insulated Cold Room Enclosure
Environmentally-controlled enclosure provides optimal conditions for storing and processing samples at -80°C.
Environmentally Friendly
Green refrigerants offer significant benefits in ultra-low temperature refrigeration applications thanks to their high cooling capacity, energy efficiency, negligible ozone depletion potential, and negligible Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Efficiently Sustainable
Reduce the energy consumption and laboratory footprint of a biorepository up to 75% compared to manual ULT freezers.
Phased Expansion
Each -80°C freezer can be independently activated and deactivated for energy savings so that customers may turn on just the freezer compartments needed at the time. Additionally, BiOS systems are capable of system field expansion with the addition of new chest freezer compartments and lengthening of cold room enclosures.
Preserving Sample Integrity
Part of building a reliable automated storage system means considering the “what-ifs” and designing those scenarios into the system.
Frost Prevention
BiOS has extensive frost prevention technologies. However, Hamilton acknowledges that frost may still build up over time in any ultra-low temperature system. An optional spare freezer chest makes sample evacuation and chest freezer defrost possible without ever having to remove samples from the BiOS system.
Power Outage Measures
In the event of a power loss, samples are safely returned to the -80°C chest freezers. A battery backed-up LN2 supply system will maintain a -80°C storage temperature in the chest freezers for 48 hours.
Space and Energy Savings
Below is one example of a midsized BiOS system compared to a manual freezer farm.
With BiOS, power consumption per sample decreases and valuable lab space is optimized.
| BiOS L5 | Manual ULTs (assumes 75% fill density) | |
| Storage Capacity | 2.6 million 1 mL samples | 62 upright 740 L capacity manual freezers |
| Footprint | BiOS L5 occupies 42 m2 [452 ft2] | 62 manual freezers occupy 188 m2 [2,022 ft2] |
| Power Consumption | 225 kWh/day | 806-1,302 kWh/day, depending on model, maintenance history, and age |
| Annual Equivalent CO2 Emissions* | 35.6 metric tons | 75.5-187 metric tons |
| Servicing and Maintenance | Redundant refrigeration systems ensure samples do not need to be evacuated during service. Design features in BiOS prevent frost accumulation, and the system does not require regular defrosting of storage chests. | Evacuation to additional backup freezers is required during an emergency and for annual defrosting and other maintenance tasks. |
| Heat Load Impact to HVAC Systems | None; BiOS refrigeration systems utilize chilled water. | 663 W [104,000 BTUs/hour] |
*EPA (2021). eGRID. U.S. annual national emission factor, year 2019 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. (https://www.epa.gov/egrid)
Simple, Powerful Automation Software
Our automated sample storage platforms run on the powerful, easy-to-use INSTINCT S software, which allows users to run daily operations easily with minimal training.
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INSTINCT S is our powerful sample management software that is available across all Hamilton automated sample storage platforms - BiOS, SAM HD Pro, Verso, Verso Dx, and Verso Q-Series systems. The beauty of INSTINCT S is its simplicity; the software allows users to operate the automated sample storage system with minimal training.
Additionally, the software's dynamic Application Programming Interface (API) is able to interact directly with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or with Hamilton liquid handling workstations.
InVision Data Analytics
Insightful Analytics for Smarter Decisions
Hamilton is pleased to offer the InVision Data Analytics package as an optional add-on to BiOS warranties and service contracts. InVision provides robust, user-friendly Microsoft Power BI-based reports that filter data from the BiOS system’s SQL database and displays it graphically in an aesthetic, easy-to-understand format.
Output Flexibility
InVision can present both Executive and Technical reports to meet the needs of different stakeholders. The software can run useful reports for both high-level management as well as day-to-day operational users. Additionally, users can dynamically filter the display output by time period, physical location, labware type, library, job type, and more.
What is the Hamilton BiOS minus 80 freezer used for?
The Hamilton BiOS minus 80 freezer is used for automated storage and retrieval of sensitive biological samples that require ultra-low-temperature storage. It is commonly used in biobanking, genomics, protein sciences, pharmaceutical and biopharma workflows, gene and cell therapy, and other research environments where sample integrity is essential.
Hamilton BiOS is designed to help laboratories store, sort, track, and retrieve samples with less manual intervention. In addition to maintaining minus 80°C conditions, the system helps manage inventory, record audit trails, and support accurate sample access over time.
This makes it useful for biorepositories and laboratories that need secure, scalable, and traceable sample storage. By combining automation with ultra-low-temperature performance, BiOS helps improve operational efficiency while supporting reliable, long-term storage of biological samples.
Webinars
Register for a Webinar
Hamilton offers automated sample management webinar sessions for each of our products. Check out the lineup of available webinars and register for one today.
BiOS Specifications
BiOS M Specifications
PrintSystem Dimensions
- Height
- 2.93 m (9 ft, 7.35 in)
- Width
- 4.34 m (14 ft, 2.87 in)
- Depth
- 3.9 m to 22.5 m (12 ft, 9.54 in to 73 ft, 9.83 in)
Storage Capacity (Standard Racks) 1
- Shallow-Well Plates
- N/A
- 0.3 mL Tubes
- 10.5 Million
- 0.5 mL Tubes
- 7.6 Million
- 0.6 mL Tubes
- 6.8 Million
- 1.0 mL Tubes
- 4.5 Million
- 2.0 mL Tubes
- 2.4 Million
Storage Capacity (Hamilton RackWare High-Density Racks) 1
- Shallow-Well Plates
- N/A
- 0.3 mL Tubes
- 14.2 Million
- 0.5 mL Tubes
- 11 Million
- 0.6 mL Tubes
- 9.3 Million
- 1.0 mL Tubes
- 6.4 Million
- 2.0 mL Tubes
- 3 Million
General Specifications
- Storage Temperature
- -80°C
Barcode Reader
- Plates
- 1D and 2D
- Racks
- 1D and 2D
- Tubes
- 2D (Bottom) and 1D or 2D (Side; Optional)
BiOS L Specifications
PrintSystem Dimensions
- Height
- 4.23 m (13 ft, 10.54 in)
- Width
- 4.34 m (14 ft, 2.87 in)
- Depth
- 3.9 m to 22.5 m (12 ft, 9.54 in to 73 ft, 9.83 in)
Storage Capacity (Standard Racks) 1
- Shallow-Well Plates
- N/A
- 0.3 mL Tubes
- 17 Million
- 0.5 mL Tubes
- 12.5 Million
- 0.6 mL Tubes
- 10.8 Million
- 1.0 mL Tubes
- 7.6 Million
- 2.0 mL Tubes
- 3.9 Million
Storage Capacity (Hamilton RackWare High-Density Racks) 1
- Shallow-Well Plates
- N/A
- 0.3 mL Tubes
- 23.2 Million
- 0.5 mL Tubes
- 17.9 Million
- 0.6 mL Tubes
- 15.5 Million
- 1.0 mL Tubes
- 11 Million
- 2.0 mL Tubes
- 4.7 Million
General Specifications
- Storage Temperature
- -80°C
Barcode Reader
- Plates
- 1D and 2D
- Racks
- 1D and 2D
- Tubes
- 2D (Bottom) and 1D or 2D (Side; Optional)
1 Note: Contact Hamilton for exact storage capabilities and capacities.
Support your entire workflow with Hamilton's integrated products.
Simple LIMS Integration
Robust, fully supported Application Programming Interface (API) for seamless integration into your workflow and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
BiOS Resources
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Compare Products
Services
Ensure the longevity of your Hamilton automated sample storage system and safety of your precious samples by choosing a Hamilton service contract. Investment in a high-performance automated storage system sets high expectations of quality, reliability, and precision.
Hamilton’s automated sample storage system training courses have been specifically developed to cover the requirements and needs of its diverse customer base. User-level training is intended to train users on system operations, and service training qualifies technicians to perform maintenance, diagnostic troubleshooting, and error recovery.
Backed by world-class service and support.
For over 75 years, the Hamilton name has been recognized globally for its unwavering commitment to quality. That pledge extends to creating long-term customer partnerships. We're proud to offer in-depth training courses, on-site field support, custom product builds, and so much more.
Let's Talk
Connect with a Hamilton expert to discuss solutions for your workflow. We are here to enable your success.
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