While testing, the cells are in a different environment than their normal one and begin to degrade or change. Carbon dioxide incubators, also referred to as gassed incubators and cell culture incubators, have been developed to allow for cell cultures and tissue cultures to grow in conditions that simulate the cell’s natural environment.

The in-vitro cultivation of living organisms offers sterile conditions and allows the tester to control many different environmental conditions. CO2 incubators are used to maintain, expand, or culture cells samples over a period of time ranging from hours to weeks.

These incubators are kept at a constant temperature and humidity, while the amount of oxygen and CO2 that are present remains consistent thanks to CO2 sensors (either a thermal conductivity or IR sensor) that monitor the levels of carbon dioxide inside the incubator. Furthermore, optional parts can be used, such as in-chamber HEPA filtration system. The HEPA filter provides ISO-5 cleanroom air quality in the chamber within 5 minutes after every door opening.

Cell culture incubators attempt to recreate conditions that are identical to the cell’s natural environment. They offer control over temperature, humidity, and hypoxic condition. Hypoxia is a medical condition where the body does not have a lot of oxygen in it. For incubators, the amount of oxygen that is allowed in it is referred to as the hypoxic conditions.

In addition to their environmental controls, they also provide germ-free conditions for cell growth. This is done through the use of rust-resistant, non-corrosive materials lining the internal structure of the incubator. Stainless steel is the most common material used and is considered the industry standard.

The temperature range of an incubator generally falls between 4 to 50°C. Maintaining a constant temperature is important for cell culturing because volatility can be detrimental to cellular health, which would ultimately skew the results of the experimental assay.

Water jackets and electric coils are the two main techniques used to keep the temperature consistent inside the incubator. Proper humidification is also vital to ensure that the cell cultures do not become unusable by drying out.

Relative humidity within the incubator chamber is normally kept between 95% to 98%. This is achieved either by the use of an atomizer system or by a water reservoir. CO2 and O2 concentrations can alter a cell’s development and need to be controlled to ensure that the cells grow correctly. The whole incubator should provide a totally homogenous environment that promotes cell growth.