Apart from the typical lab apparatus like centrifuges, baths, mixers, stirrers and shakers, every lab will also include specialized lab equipment that is used for a wide range of operations. The type of equipment will usually depend on the type of processes that are conducted within it. These specialized equipments are usually employed for highly complex operations, such as microbiology lab operations like separating DNA or analyzing structures of biological molecules.
There are five main types of equipments that are specially used in labs for research purposes.
Electrophoresis Apparatus
This is a technique that is used to separate macromolecules by size. The process involves application of a negative charge to the sample, and this causes the proteins in the sample to move towards the positive charge. It is typically used for DNA and RNA analysis experiments.
Research equipment for such operations include horizontal and vertical electrophoresis gel systems. Apart from that it also requires reagents, power supplies and special imaging systems.
Extraction Apparatus
These experiments involve separating various components using heat and chemical methods. Apparatus used for the purpose include distillation systems, extraction heaters for Kjeldahl determination, arsine, cyanide and similar chemical substances as well as Kuderna Danish concentration.
Specialized Heating Apparatus
Many common and complex lab operations need different types of heating operations. Heating equipments of different types are used for the purpose. Block heaters are commonly used in microbiology and pharmacy labs for incubation and culturing of samples. They are also used for determination of melting and boiling points of samples. Similarly, drum heaters are also used for heating while furnaces are employed for moisture drying, curing and testing. Environmental chambers are another type of heating equipment that is used for creating controlled environmental conditions for specific operations.
Ultraviolet Equipment’s
In biology, pharmaceutical and food laboratories, different types of ultraviolet equipment are used to examine and identify different types of samples. Germicidal lamps are an essential component of labs that study pathogens and microorganisms. Medium wave lamps are also used in electrophoresis experiments. Black light lamps are used as leak detectors in similar setups along with fluorescent dyes.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Specialized cleaning equipments are an absolute essential for laboratory settings, to clean and maintain surfaces and samples. Use of specialized and high quality equipment is absolutely essential to maintain the integrity of the surfaces and obtain accurate results. Ultrasonic cleaners are used for the purpose, and these can operate on surfaces such as metals, ceramic, glass and plastic.
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