Laboratories have different working environments but they all require the basic laboratory apparatus and state of the art lab apparatus for complicated lab experiments.
Lab Apparatus
Apart from the compound microscope, laboratories are equipped with basic laboratory apparatus to facilitate the conduct of chemistry and biology lab experiments. The basics are the test tubes, test tube racks and test tube holders, beakers, reagent bottles, Bunsen burners and stand and clamps, crucibles, measuring cylinders, evaporating dishes, safety glasses, mortar and pestle, spatulas, droppers, tripods, and balances.
For different lab testing requirements, labs are equipped with heating equipments, filters, mixers, air handling equipment, fume hoods, shakers, centrifuges, homogenizers, measuring devices, ovens, and refrigerators.
Lab Furnaces
Samples and materials that need heat testing are tested on maintained high temperature. The heating apparatus should withstand different high heat temperatures without breaking down because heating experiments can go on for months.
Under general specifications, the equipment should have atmosphere controls and the appropriate dimensions for the lab's use for observing combustion, electrical, resistance, conduction, induction, infrared, propane oil and other fuels and natural gas. The lab furnace may have single heating or dual heating mode to adjust temperature and/or temperature stability. The newer models have computer interface and application software.
Laboratory Filters
These laboratory apparatus are used to eliminate fine particles from samples. Generally the filters consist of filter medium and holders and categorized into two types - membrane filters and centrifugal filters. Membrane filters, used in large scale lab experiments are employed to separate or filter suspended matter from gases and liquids.
Smaller laboratories use centrifugal filters to take apart proteins or nucleic acids. Laboratory filters are selected for the analysis of physical and performance specifications of particle samples. Larger filter areas are efficient and generally preferred in chemical and industrial laboratories.
The filters vary in configuration terms, sample type, measurement type, medium material, and housing material. These are commonly used on solids, gas, and liquids for qualitative or quantitative testing. The filters medium materials range from cellulose or cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, and nitrocellulose, including ceramic, glass fiber materials, and carbon. Included too are polytetrafluoroethelene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polyvindylidene chloride. Housing materials use acrylics, modified acrylics, plastics, and polypropylene.
Lab Mixers
Laboratory mixers are essential in mixing, homogenizing, emulsifying, disintegrating and dissolving samples. Dual shaft mixers have three-wing anchors that generate flow and remove batches of mixed materials from vessel's wall. Double-planetary mixers have a finger-shaped blade that feed material to dispenser that orbits at high speed. The mixers operate at different speeds while are specified for continuous speeds. Lab mixers are requirements in industrial and pharmaceutical laboratories.
Air Handling Equipment
To protect laboratory and specimen from air-borne contamination, air handling equipment - fume hoods, environmentally-controlled rooms, biological safety cabinets, and clean benches are installed. A fume hood can contain and exhaust fumes, mists, vapors, and fine particles. The lab technician is protected from toxic fumes to chemicals and other potentially hazardous gases because the fume hood or enclosure minimizes exposure.
Top of the line laboratory apparatus follow standard specifications and are sold all over the world. These can be ordered online or purchased directly from suppliers.
