Science is a very broad field, but all forms of science involve some type of laboratory work. Those diverse labs all have some specialized needs, but they also require some fundamental equipment no matter what type of work is taking place. Here is a look at four of the pieces of equipment you will find in any scientific lab.
1- Fume Hood
Countless scientific procedures generate fumes of various types. Some of these emissions are harmless, while others are toxic. Still, others do not pose a danger to humans but may affect the results of the work being done. Whatever the exact reason for its use, a fume hood is likely to be in every scientific lab you encounter. They can be fixed or mobile to accommodate all types of work, but they all have the same mission of removing airborne contaminants from the experimental area.
This is particularly important as we learn more about the role of indoor air quality in human health. The only way to maximize our efforts in preserving a clean indoor atmosphere is to capture contaminants at the source, and a fume hood does exactly that.
2- Centrifuge
Many different scientific processes require the separation of materials that are mixed together. Over time, this will slowly happen naturally because of the different specific gravities of the liquids, but that takes too much time. A centrifuge accelerates this process and allows researchers to isolate different substances in a shorter time frame conserves staff time and avoids spoilage and contamination of the materials in the work.
Because the centrifuge is basically an acceleration of gravity, it can also be used to test the impact on soils and rocks used in construction applications, such as in building highways.
3- Microscope
Most of the work done in a laboratory involves very small materials, whether they be chemicals, living cells, or other substances. In order to gather information about what is happening in the lab, scientists and other technicians need microscopes to see what is going on at the cellular or molecular level, and sometimes even beyond that.
From the simplest high school-style models up to super-resolution microscopes, there will always be at least one type of microscope present in any lab you visit. Some are designed strictly for viewing by the naked eye in real-time, but they may also be linked to camera equipment so that their results can be readily shared.
4- Sterilizer
Sterility is for more than just the operating room. All types of scientific work require instruments and containers that are more than just clean. They must be sterile and free of any type of pathogens or contaminants. Imagine what could happen if you were treated for an illness that you did not have just because the testing equipment was not clean. Failure to utilize sterile surfaces can jeopardize the results of the work. It can also pose serious health hazards to workers if they come into contact with virulent organisms.
No matter what type of science lab you’re operating, several pieces of scientific equipment should be available in the lab.
