Classical Optical density measurements in a spectrophotometer, often require dilution in order to determine the total biomass greater than 0.5 OD (at 600nm). BugLab's technology operates on backlight scattering, utilizing multiple laser and detector pairs.  
A near infrared (NIR) laser beam is directed into the medium and the interaction with cells scatters and reflects light.  Photodetectors collect light that is back-scattered from the cells. The intensity of the detected light is proportional to optical density. allowing measurements of OD, without dilution or liquid handling, over a wide and linear range of OD.  BugLab's technology consequently yields highly accurate readings.
Measuring in the near infrared spectrum offers the additional advantage of avoiding absorbance of light by colored media components, such as those occurring in algal cultures.  
BugLab LLC currently offers the Hand held OD Scanner which is most suitable for measuring in the range of 0-30 OD units and the BE2100, which measures from less than 0.1 to over 300 OD units and our new offering, the proBE 3000, which measures from 0 to over 500 OD units with one sensor.  All buglab instruments can be used as stand-alone devices or can be integrated into our ez-Control, my-Control or in-Control process control systems using a USB connection.