More research? More tech challenges? We want to hear what you want to see in the Cole-Parmer blog this year.
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Let us know what you want, by clicking below.
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Posted by bdumey
Cole-Parmer extends warm wishes and happy holidays to you, from each of our international offices:
From our Canada office:
Joyeuses Fêtes
From our China office:
新年快乐，万事如意，恭喜发财，身体健康！
Happy New Year; may all your wishes come true; may you have lots of fortune; and may you be healthy all along!
From our India office:
We, at Cole-Parmer celebrate with you many significant achievements, enhanced opportunities, and promising developments you experienced in 2011. As the year comes to a close, we thank you for your association and wish you and your family a very happy new year and a safe holiday.
From our United Kingdom office:
Season’s Greetings to everyone!
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Posted by bdumey
If you are reading this, then the answer is yes. Everyone uses some type of pump every day. Pumps are so commonly used that we hardly realize how important they are to us. A pump is any device that moves a fluid from one location to another. Therefore if you have a heart, then you are using a pump at this very moment to pump blood throughout your body. Your heart pumps blood similar to a diaphragm pump and your arteries and intestines act like peristaltic pumps. Within your heart, muscle tissue displaces blood while valves help control the direction of blood flow, ensuring a consistent unidirectional flow of blood. Both arteries and veins have smooth muscle tissue to maintain the flow and pressure of blood moving throughout our bodies. The smooth muscle tissue acts like the rollers of a peristaltic pump to contract arteries (like tubing) to move blood flow in a specific direction.
How Peristaltic Pumps Work:
Peristaltic pumps operate on a simple principle. The alternating pattern of squeezing and releasing the tubing moves the fluid through the pump. One of the many advantages offered by peristaltic pumps is the ability to isolate fluid within the tubing (much like our blood flow).
As a roller passes over the tubing, it is first occluded (squeezed), then released. The progression of this squeezed area 
forces fluid to move in front of the roller. The tubing behind the rollers recovers its shape, creates a vacuum, and draws fluid in behind it. As the roller moves faster, vacuum pockets are created more quickly and the fluid moving through the system picks up speed. The rollers act as check valves to prevent siphoning or loss of prime.
The distance between the rollers creates a “pillow” of fluid. This volume is specific to the ID of the tubing and the geometry of the rotor. Flow rate is determined by multiplying pump head speed by the size of the pillow by the number of pillows per revolution. This pillow volume stays very constant except with highly viscous fluids. Among pumps with the same diameter of rotor, pumps with large pillows will deliver higher volumes of fluid per revolution. A greater degree of pulsation exists with these higher flow rates, not unlike the pumping profile of a diaphragm pump. Pumps with small pillows deliver small volumes of fluid per revolution.
Applications:
Using this knowledge of how peristaltic pumps transfer fluids through enclosed tubing, many entrepreneurs have found
MasterFlex B/T Tubing Pump
ways to incorporate similar pump systems into their business. One resourceful maple syrup producer in upper New York found a clever use for a peristaltic pump. Rascher’s Sugar House installed seven miles of food-grade plastic tubing running from maple trees on his property. Rascher ordered a Masterflex® B/T® Variable-Speed Pump from Cole-Parmer and by using his peristaltic pump, he was able to pump maple sap from his trees, through the tubing, through filters, and into a holding tank.
We want to hear from you. Have you used a pump today? Please share your unique pump applications.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Jobs | Tagged: Cole-Parmer, laboratory equipment, Masterflex, masterflex tubing, peristaltic pump, peristaltic pumping, pumps | Permalink
Posted by Cole-Parmer
During the holiday season, food preparers are warned early and often about safely cooking their feasts to prevent foodborne illnesses. Yet, the FDA acknowledges that holiday food preparation still gets rather sloppy. From garnishes to stuffing to pies, improperly handled food can transmit disease-causing organisms with symptoms appearing within a few hours up to as long as 28 days later. A major culprit can be mishandled or undercooked meat. With the volume of turkey, ham, duck, and other meat dishes on the menu throughout the season, safe preparation is essential for avoiding less-than-happy holidays.
Cole-Parmer offers several options to ensure safe temperatures of food, especially meat. The Taylor® Food Service Thermometers determine if the correct food temperature has been met and maintained. The Cole-Parmer® Stainless Steel Pocket Thermometers offer easy-read dials. NSF-Approved Digital Pocket Thermometers deliver a quick response (about 30 seconds) for most readings and a digital reading. The Cole-Parmer® Thermometer with Alarm/Timer (shown) allows users to view temperature, time, and set point simultaneously and also accurately program the alarm for easy use. Each of the models contains probes to penetrate dense meat surfaces.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Cool Tools, Eats and Drinks | Tagged: Cole-Parmer® Stainless Steel Pocket Thermometers, Cole-Parmer® Thermometer with Alarm/Timer, food preparation, food safety, foodborne, holiday menu, meat temperatures, NSF-Approved Digital Pocket Thermometers, Taylor® Food Service Thermometers | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
With airlines launching commercial biofuels flights, the interest in and demand for biofuels research and production ramps up. Add to that the continuing quest to rely less on global fuel sources and biofuels research is a topic of fevered conversation.
Biofuels are categorized in three types: biodiesel, biodiesel blends, and bioethanol. ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) developed product quality specifications and testing standards for biofuels.
Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils or animal fat and must conform to ASTM D6751. Biodiesel blends are biodiesel mixed with diesel fuel and must conform to ASTM D7467. Bioethanol is denatured fuel ethanol, derived from algae, corn sugar cane, and cellulosic plant material that is blended with unleaded gasoline and must conform to ASTM D4806.
For a sample of biofuel to be assigned to one of these three categories, the sample must go through specific tests described in each of the ASTM methods mentioned above. Each method has specific equipment that must be used to complete each test.
Check out Cole-Parmer’s Biofuels page to learn more and find equipment, catalogs, and other necessary information to help you meet your testing requirements. Equipment include microplates, cell culture media, electrophoresis equipment, thermal cyclers and more.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Hot Product Alerts, Latest and Greatest | Tagged: ASTM, biodiesel, biodiesel blends, bioethanol, biofuels, cell culture media, electrophoresis, microplates, thermal cyclers | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
This week Cole-Parmer released a new version of its ColeParmer.com web site with reorganized menus, enhanced filtering capabilities, and time-saving user functionality to streamline the shopping experience. It combines an enhanced search engine and navigation with premium features.
In redesigning the site, Director of Global Customer Experience and eBusiness Dave Trebacz said, “We listened to customers and re-evaluated every page. Our greatest challenge was keeping our own biases out of the way. Instead, we focused on customers’ needs.”
Developing robust navigation that drives users to their destination faster required substantial changes. “We replaced the on-site search engine,” said Mike Mayer, Manager of Internet Development, “and added fly-out menus to quickly locate product categories and drill down to an item faster.”
Thousands of additional filters allow customers to choose the product characteristic most important to them and narrow their selection within seconds. Quick views also enable shoppers to expand on product details without navigating further. Clear customer favorites—including Customer-Written Product Reviews, Product ratings and Q&As, and Live Chat—remain on the site.
To assist you in navigating the new site, several videos, along with detailed FAQs, are available. Take a test drive.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Events, Latest and Greatest | Tagged: coleparmer.com, enhanced filtering, FAQs, navigation, quick views, search engine | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
STOP Foodborne Illness, a nonprofit, public health organization, is recognizing Food Day (Monday, October 24) by holding a special event at the John Hancock Center in Chicago. Cole-Parmer is a co-sponsor of the event, taking place from 7:00 am to 10:00 am local time. Guests stopping by will earn a chance to spin the Food Safety Trivia Wheel and win a prize! Prizes include food safety items, storage containers, gift certificates, a weekend stay at the Palmer House Hilton, and more.
STOP is dedicated to the prevention of illness and death from foodborne pathogens by advocating for sound public policy, building public awareness, and assisting those impacted by foodborne illness.
Food Day is designed to advocate for affordable and healthy food produced in a sustainable and humane way. According to FoodDay.org, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) are the Honorary Co-Chairs for Food Day 2011. The day is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Stop by and meet our Cole-Parmer representative at the event, taking place at the base of the John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Events | Tagged: Chicago, Food Day, food safety, Food Safety Trivia Wheel, foodborne pathogens, John Hancock Center, STOp Foodborne Illness | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
This week (October 16-22) is National Chemistry Week, so we’re shining the spotlight on how chemistry affects our everyday lives. From pharmaceuticals to vitamins to cleansing agents, most of us encounter the wonders of chemistry daily. The batteries that power our electric toothbrushes, the food prepared for our breakfasts, the ink that appears on our newspapers are all chemical creations in action.
The American Chemical Society has designated the week’s theme as “Chemistry—Our Health, Our Future!” Museums, university chemistry departments, companies, and government agencies are celebrating the week with demonstrations and displays, environmental clean-ups, lectures, tours, chemistry walks, and more.
At the same time, 2011 has been named the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011), a globe-spanning recognition of the contributions of chemistry. It coincides with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies. With a slate of activities taking place worldwide, the goals include sparking interest in young students, generating enthusiasm for the future of the science, and enhancing the appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs. Earlier in the year, the game show Jeopardy! celebrated IYC 2011 with a dedicated chemistry category.
View chemical products from Cole-Parmer.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Events | Tagged: chemicals, Chemistry, International Year of Chemistry, IYC, National Chemistry Week | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
Stop by booth #669 on October 17-19 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Cole-Parmer will be exhibiting at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) and you can register for a chance to win an Apple® iPad®2!
You’ll also get to check out some of our latest water quality testing instruments and supplies. These include the new Thermo Scientific Orion Star A100 Meters—an excellent choice for environmental testing, water and wastewater treatment, quality control in food and beverage testing, and education. Affordable yet reliably effective, the meters feature a large LCD, simple button layout, and on-screen messages. Choose from units measuring pH, conductivity, or dissolved oxygen (DO).
The new Masterflex® L/S® Precision Variable-Speed Console Drives offer precise speed control and rpm display, which is ideal for metering applications. Confirm speed setting at a glance on the three-digit LED. With thereversible motor, you can purge tubing before or after pumping and pump fluid in either direction. The LED also indicates motor direction. Stack two or four pump heads for increased flow rates and multichannel applications.
The Oakton DO 2700 Benchtop Dissolved Oxygen Meter is designed for optimal performance and versatility. This advanced research grade meter has BOD capability. The meter measures dissolved oxygen in mg/L, ppm, or % saturation with simultaneous temperature display in °F or °C. Large LCD features annunciators to aid in meter use and troubleshooting. It is encased in a compact housing which takes up a minimum of bench space.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Events, Latest and Greatest | Tagged: Los Angeles Convention Center, Masterflex® L/S® Precision Variable-Speed Console Drives, Oakton DO 2700 Benchtop Dissolved Oxygen Meter, Thermo Scientific Orion Star A100 Meters, WEFTEC 11 | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
Cole-Parmer Product Group Manager Ben Wilbert was interviewed recently by Lab Manager magazine. Ben discussed a new line of circulating baths, immersion circulators, recirculators, and chillers.
Find out what Ben has to say about these products and the features that make them effective in the lab. Read the article.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Cool Tools, Latest and Greatest | Tagged: chillers, circulating baths, immersion circulators, Lab Manager, recirculators | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
August is National Water Quality Month
In August the only water you may be thinking about is the nearest pool. Yet, as National Water Quality Month, the reality is not all of our water supply is equal in quality. Did you know that each year in the US, by July 1, your local water supplier should provide your household with a water quality report? Your water quality report (or drinking water quality report) summarizes the sources from which your water originates (such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc) and contaminants detected, as well as includes compliance and educational information.
Because poor water quality not only impacts our personal health but also affects scientific research, Cole-Parmer offers effective water quality solutions. As scientists and researchers, take a moment to consider the quality of water in your laboratory to ensure the integrity of your applications. Consider a water purification system if your incoming water quality is poor.
As personal consumers, take a moment to learn about the quality of water in your community and in your household. For more information regarding water quality, and tips on safe drinking water at home, visit the website for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): http://water.epa.gov/
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Eats and Drinks, Public Service Announcement, Safety Tips | Tagged: national water quality month, water analysis, water purification national water quality month, water quality | Permalink
Posted by Scott
It was once called Dominion Day but since 1982 July 1 is recognized as Canada Day. Fireworks, parties, concerts, parades, picnics, and fairs celebrate Canada’s birthday.
Cole- Parmer’s Canada office based in Montreal is hosting fellow United Kingdom colleague Lyssa Durham for the rest of the week as part of an office exchange program. Lyssa will be spending her first Canada Day in Montreal taking in the parade downtown.
“I’ve spent the last ten days here in Montreal. The office is fantastic and I’ve been getting to know the real Montreal, including their fine food and entertainment,” said Durham.
Another Canada office staff member will be spending the holiday camping in Mont-Tremblant. Cole-Parmer wishes all of our friends and colleagues north of the border a happy and celebratory Canada Day!
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Public Service Announcement | Tagged: Canada Day, Cole-Parmer Canada | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
Cole-Parmer IFT 2001 Gift Pack
Not only is June National Dairy Month, but one of the largest food shows in the industry begins in just a few days. The Cole-Parmer booth at IFT® in New Orleans will feature efficient new products for food scientists and processors:
What’s in it for you? Each day one raffle winner will receive a New Orleans Gift Pack valued at more than $200. The bags include a variety of “survive and thrive in New Orleans” items including a cooler, water bottle, gift certificate, and more. Register to win.
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Eats and Drinks, eNews, Events, Promos | Permalink
Posted by Scott
Are you concerned about fluoride in your tap water? Some people believe fluoride in drinking water is harmful, others believe it is safe and actually beneficial in maintaining dental hygiene.
Either way, you can test your fluoride level with the pocket fluoride tester from Extech, available through Cole-Parmer. The Extech fluoride pocket tester is handheld and easy to use. Anyone can use it to measure the concentration of fluoride in household tap water.
The Extech Waterproof FL700 Pocket Fluoride Tester is IP57-rated and designed for quick and accurate measurement of fluoride ions in drinking water and other aqueous samples. Also, here’s a helpful video to illustrate how to calibrate the pocket fluoride tester and how to perform a quick test of fluoride ions in your water sample.
Let us know what you think. Do you believe fluoride in tap water is harmful, or beneficial in reducing cavities?
Extech Waterproof FL700 Pocket Fluoride tester
Leave a Comment » | Announcements, Cool Tools, Hot Product Alerts, Public Service Announcement, Safety Tips, Videos | Permalink
Posted by Scott
On a day when green is the theme, Cole-Parmer affirms its commitment to conducting business in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
We’ve taken steps to upgrade our warehouse with eco-friendly materials to reduce waste and conserve energy. These include using eco-friendly shipping materials and eco-friendly packaging, along with recycling and reducing our energy consumption.
And, we continue to grow even greener. Recently, Cole-Parmer released its 2011/12 General Catalog
, produced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
We invite our customers to join us “in the green” by recycling and reusing packing materials, including cardboard, paper tape, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap, received in shipments.
2 Comments | Announcements | Tagged: Carbon footprint, certified paper, eco-friendly, environmental, environmentally-conscious, FSC, Green, recycling | Permalink
Posted by bdumey
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