A mixing apparatus (130) for a syringe (110), the mixing apparatus comprising a dock (134) configured to receive the syringe and having an agitation component actuator (132) integral to the dock configured for magnetically coupling to an agitation component (136) of a magnetic material located within a chamber of said syringe, and configured for manipulation of said agitation component within said chamber when coupled; wherein the actuator is in the form of a drum having a series of magnets attached thereto offset in relation to one another so as to manipulate said actuation component in a reciprocating motion upon rotation of the drum.

An agitation device for agitating products held in wells of sample vessels or a laboratory microplate is disclosed. The device is arranged to retain a microplate and to agitate an agitation member comprising an array of agitation projections which enter the wells of the microplate. The agitating motion can be horizontal and damping means can be provided between an actuator and parts of the device to reduce overall vibrations. A related method of agitation of microplate or sample vessel contents is described. A novel arrangement for receiving a replaceable agitation member for the device is also disclosed.

An agitation device for agitating products held in wells of sample vessels or a laboratory microplate is disclosed. The device is arranged to retain a microplate and to agitate an agitation member comprising an array of agitation projections which enter the wells of the microplate. The agitating motion can be horizontal and damping means can be provided between an actuator and parts of the device to reduce overall vibrations. A related method of agitation of microplate or sample vessel contents is described. A novel arrangement for receiving a replaceable agitation member for the device is also disclosed.

An apparatus for mixing and agitating secondary battery electrode materials includes: a vessel configured to accommodate secondary battery electrode material; an agitator configured to rotate and elevate to agitate the material in the vessel; a rotation controller configured to control the rotation of the agitator; and an elevation controller configured to control the elevation of the agitator.