Have you ever wondered about the equipment and tools that scientists use in their labs? Are you interested in the ways researchers perform their experiments or the equipment you see in movies and documentaries? Lab equipment is expensive, highly sophisticated, and complex. If you want to know more about the equipment and tools used in labs and science research facilities around the world, here are some of the most interesting:
Spectrophotometer
A spectrophotometer is a piece of equipment used to measure the amount of light absorbed or transmitted by a sample. It is commonly used in biochemical and chemical analysis to determine the concentration of a substance in a sample. It can also be used when working with enzymes, for the identification of compounds, and in manufacturing settings. The cost for a spectrophotometer might start as low as a few hundred dollars for cheaper versions and go up to $10,000 or more.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers
These freezers use a complicated system of cooling to get much colder than regular freezers. Ultra-low-temperature freezers can get down to -80° Celsius, or -123° Fahrenheit. The freezers are used to store medicines, immunizations, and tissue samples that can’t be stored in regular coolers. These freezers are expensive and difficult to make. Ultracold freezer manufacturers charge from $10,000-$20,000 for these expensive and important pieces of lab equipment.
Fume Hood
A fume hood is a specialized piece of equipment used to control and contain hazardous materials and vapors in a laboratory setting. It is commonly used in chemistry and biology labs to ensure the safety of researchers. Fume hoods are similar to the range hood many people have over their kitchen stoves but must meet specific requirements.
Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a piece of equipment used to separate materials of different densities or particle sizes by spinning them at high speeds. It is commonly used in biology and chemistry labs to separate cells, proteins, and other biological materials. A centrifuge is used to separate DNA from the surrounding cell material, for example. A small countertop centrifuge might cost around $1000 while a large, expensive centrifuge costs tens of thousands of dollars.
Microscope
A microscope is a piece of equipment used to magnify and observe small objects or structures that are not visible to the naked eye. It is commonly used in biology and medical labs to study cells, tissues, and microorganisms. An electron microscope can be used to see inside cells and to look at molecules and atoms. Cheap microscopes start at a few hundred or thousand dollars, while expensive electron microscopes can cost over a million dollars.
Autoclave
An autoclave is a piece of equipment used to sterilize materials and equipment by using high pressure and temperature. It is commonly used in medical and biological labs to sterilize laboratory equipment and supplies. Many medical practices also use autoclaves. Small, cheap autoclaves can be bought for around $500, while large industrial-level autoclaves might cost over $40,000 to purchase new.
Incubator
An incubator is a specialized piece of equipment used to maintain a controlled temperature and humidity level for the growth of cells or microorganisms. It is commonly used in microbiology and cell culture labs. Hospitals and medical facilities might also have incubators if they culture samples on-site. Cheap incubators start in the hundred-dollar range while more advanced equipment costs several thousand dollars.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
GC-MS is a combined analytical technique used to identify and quantify the chemical composition of a sample. It is commonly used in analytical chemistry to identify unknown compounds in a sample. The sample is first vaporized into a gas and then the various parts are separated and analyzed. It has been used for things as varied as developing new medicines to analyzing athletes’ urine for trace amounts of illegal drugs.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
LC-MS is another analytical technique used to separate and identify compounds in a sample. It is commonly used in pharmaceutical and environmental labs to identify and quantify drugs, metabolites, and pollutants. It is also used to identify and analyze a variety of compounds in other situations, such as evaluating contamination in air, water, or soil, or to help with diagnosis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the internal structures of the body. It is commonly used in medical diagnosis and research to study the brain, heart, and other organs. A similar process, nuclear magnetic resonance, is used in chemistry to analyze different compounds and chemicals. A new MRI machine typically costs millions of dollars. This is why many small hospitals do not have these machines and patients have to travel to a large hospital or wait for a mobile unit if they need an MRI scan.
Conclusion
Which lab equipment and tools are found in each lab can depend on the type of lab and what the researchers are studying. However, no matter how large or small a lab is, and no matter what kind of science the researchers are doing, you can be sure that the equipment and tools in each lab are expensive, highly specialized, and very interesting.