A laboratory is one of the most significant places in a research or learning institution. It is where many experiments and inventions take place. Due to the work done in the laboratory, we now boast of advancements in medicine and other related areas. But for a laboratory to function better, there must be a team of knowledgeable researchers and the right equipment. This post will cover seven essential equipment that must be in a laboratory.
1- Safety Equipment
A laboratory has potentially dangerous chemicals and equipment. It is thus important for every lab owner to purchase safety tools that can protect researchers and laboratory staff from any harm. The fume hood remains one of the key safety tools that every laboratory should have. This equipment protects against volatile and harmful gases that may find their way into the surrounding during experiments. In addition, every individual in the lab must-have safety gear such as eyeglasses, goggles, gloves and lab coats. This is to protect them against severe burns, blindness and other horrifying accidents that occur due to chemical spills.
2- Weighing Balance
If your laboratory is about chemical research then you might need high precision weighing balance. A small difference in quantity may have a huge impact on the final product. If your laboratory needs one then you should consider buying one of Precisa Balances.
3- Hot Plates
There is a need for every laboratory to have a source of steady heat. There are so many ways to get this heat, but using hot plates is often the best choice. The plates should be of high quality to give accurate temperatures for the experiment and support heavy materials without breaking down. In addition, the plates should be placed in every workstation to avoid overcrowding and unnecessary delays.
4- Furniture
Every lab needs a properly equipped work station. The station should have the right storage facilities as well as workspace furniture. It should have enough tables and counter spaces to take care of the needs of every researcher using the facility. The tables and counter spaces should be of high quality and strong enough to support heavy and expensive lab equipment. There must be adequate shelving to store items and protect them from being contaminated. There should also be cabinets and drawers to help store larger equipment and chemical containers.
5- Sinks
Water is an essential element in a laboratory. Researchers need water to dilute chemicals as well as test the properties of different elements. Water is also essential for cleaning the equipment used to conduct experiments. A stable source of water is needed to take care of these processes and ensure things run smoothly. A sink that can provide distilled water can do the job well. A basic model for washing hands and equipment can also work perfectly.
Laboratories that handle smaller projects can survive with a single sink. Larger laboratories, like Pure Health, will need more than one sink to prevent delays caused by people crowding at the sink. The sink should be made using high-quality materials to prevent damage in case any chemical spills on them accidentally.
6- Glass Tubes
A laboratory cannot operate effectively if it does not have glass tubes of different sizes and shapes. Glass tubes are hollow equipment used to hold chemicals during experiments. Researchers require different glass tubes depending on the type of chemicals they want to use and the scope of the experiment. A good lab should offer a wide variety of glass tubes to avoid inconveniencing anyone. Some people prefer to modify their glass tubes to suit their needs. They do this by cutting and trimming the glass using a glass cutter and then polish them with a flame to make them smooth.
7- Pipette
People require a pipette to enable them to transfer liquid from one container to another. A pipette works like a dropper, but have a higher degree of precision. Like glass tubes, pipettes come in different sizes and shapes depending on the experiment. There are two main types of pipettes. There is the micropipette and the micropipette. The micropipette can hold more than 1,000 microliters while the micropipette can hold less. Apart from these two main categories, there are the piston-driven pipettes, electronic pipettes, volumetric pipettes, vacuum pipettes, and positive displacement pipettes.