24 ANALYTICAL & LABORATORY EQUIPMENT


An alternative to improve pipette accuracy management T


here is increasing need for a simple means to verify the accuracy of pipette


volumes by oneself. Until now, some pipette users have relied on outside contractors to have their pipettes calibrated regularly, incurring substantial costs. Some perform accuracy tests by themselves, which is often laborious and error-prone without adequate apparatus. Others may never have seriously thought that their pipettes could be inaccurate. However, even such users are now facing the global movement toward a stricter pipette accuracy management. One of the factors propelling this


movement is the advent of ISO8655 in 2002 as a guideline for determining pipette accuracy, with which more and more pipette users are starting to comply. ISO8655 recommends a test procedure based on what is known as the ‘gravimetric method’, the most common way of knowing the performance of variable-volume pipettes. In the gravimetric method, pipette volume is determined based on the mass value of distilled water dispensed from the pipette (1mg equals to approximately 1µL).


Dispensers for cleanrooms


cleanroom and laboratory environments, Teknomek has designed a range of dispensers. These dispensers are manufactured 304 quality stainless steel, and have been custom designed for the distribution of industry specific cleanroom wipes, disposable coveralls or individually packed sterile gloves, for the effective use within sanitary working areas.


W With the current


awareness of health and safety within the work place, Teknomek has manufactured a 316 quality wall or free standing, lockable sharps bin, ideal for the safe disposal of sharp, and possibly contaminated objects, such as syringes.


Designed especially to hygienically protect and stop contamination of


ith hygiene at the forefront of the demanding needs within


worktops in all types of laboratories, the Trespa ToplabPLUS is an easy to clean, impervious, durable self supporting flat panel, resistant to most aggressive chemicals, that can be fitted to Teknomek stainless steel tables and an extended range of workstations. Teknomek also offers


a variety of non stainless steel products, such as specialist matting suitable to remove foot borne and wheel borne contamination. Teknomek’s newly


redesigned online catalogue has details on these products,


and more, with the added benefit of industry specific categories for ease when searching for the relevant products. u


Enter 24A or ✔ at www.scientistlive.com/elab


Teknomek Industries Ltd is based in Norwich, Norfolk, UK. www.teknomek.co.uk


www.scientistlive.com


It is essential that high-precision weighing instrument be used. As a manufacturer of electronic balances, A&D thus decided to develop pipette accuracy testers, whose advantages are also characterised by the following three features. Firstly, A&D’s pipette accuracy testers


are equipped with a device called the ‘evaporation trap’. One of the difficulties in weighing a small quantity of liquid is controlling the environment to minimize errors due to loss of evaporation. The evaporation trap maintains high humidity inside and prevents evaporation of the test liquid. It is no longer necessary to set up and adjust the humidity of an entire room. In addition, the evaporation trap can function as a breeze break to shield the balance from air draft to ensure stable weighing. Secondly, the balance and the other devices can all be packed into a portable carrying case. This will prove useful when performing on-site tests at distant places. A balance can be selected from three models with different resolutions: 0.01mg, 0.1mg or 1mg, depending on what


volumetric range is to be measured. Finally, special software facilitates test and data management. The software automatically converts mass values into volumetric values using the liquid temperature and barometric pressure previously entered, and compares the accuracy and the repeatability with ISO8655 or any other set specifications to judge whether the pipette is acceptable or not. It is also possible to save and load the test results as well as print them out in a report format. A&D’s pipette accuracy tester has one additional benefit. It is a known fact that human factors often contribute more to erroneous measurements than the pipette accuracy itself. By visualising the dispensed volumes and repeatability, pipette accuracy testers can be used as a good training tool for a novice to become a skilled pipette user. u


Enter 24 or ✔ at www.scientistlive.com/elab


A&D Company, Limited is based in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan. www.aandd.jp


Enhancing low volume SPE assays


P


orvair Sciences Ltd has announced a range of BioVyon C18 silica columns


and microplates for use in low volume solid phase extraction (SPE) assays. Packed bed SPE columns and


microplates traditionally perform relatively inefficiently when using the shallow sorbent beds necessary to get good recovery from smaller sample volumes. By immobilising the C18 sorbent within the porous BioVyon polymer – Porvair have created a novel, high surface area matrix that provides unmatched control of flow rate. BioVyon C18 is initially being offered


in 96-well microplates as a 10mg per well loading suitable for low volume bioassay preparation and clean-ups. In the popular 1ml cartridge format, BioVyon C18 is available in a choice of 12.5, 25 and 50mg loadings to suit your application. u


For more information, visit www.porvair-sciences.com


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