The team initially conducted mercury transfer as part of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) project and later the MERcury Intense Target (MERIT), a high-energy physics collaboration for demonstrating a flowing mercury-jet target in an intense magnetic field. More recently, ORNL researchers investigated the structural integrity of decades-old mercury storage flasks which required transferring mercury into new flasks.

Far-reaching implications

ORNL is a US Department of Energy (DOE) facility that delivers technical breakthroughs in clean energy and global security. As the largest DOE science and energy laboratory, ORNL’s research and development in neutron science, materials science and engineering, and nuclear science and technology have far-reaching applications. ORNL’s examination of the properties of materials at a subatomic level, using the SNS, may ultimately lead to improved medicines, metals, plastics, and ceramics.

Yet, mercury transfer can be a risky business. The project’s engineers and technicians don side-shield goggles, nitrile gloves, lab coats, and safety shoes according to ORNL’s safety standards. With precautionary respirator training and the use of snorkels and fume hoods to mitigate vapors, scientists are relatively well-protected. However when using centrifugal and/or vacuum pumps to transfer the substance, the pump mechanics became contaminated. The team needed a better solution.

“At the time, we investigated ‘blood pumps’ which are used in the medical and food industry,” explained Philip Spampinato, an ORNL senior engineer. “That search led us to peristaltic pumps, which led us to the Masterflex® pump.”

The right technology for the task

The Remote Systems Group has used Masterflex pumps for fluid transfers since 1999. More recently, when it came to transferring 76 pounds of mercury from a standard storage flask into containment vessels, the Masterflex I/P® Precision Brushless Drive with Analog Remote proved to be advantageous on many levels. Along with the Masterflex I/P Easy-Load® pump head and compatible Tygon® long-life tubing, the pump system solved several of the group’s dilemmas at one time.

“The quantity of mercury flow can be controlled by varying the pump speed and occlusion,” said Spampinato. “The mechanical components of the pump do not become contaminated. The mercury only comes into contact with the tubing. This decreases the risk of exposure to elemental mercury and its vapors. We only need to be concerned about safely discarding the tubing when it becomes necessary to replace it. Finally, because the tubing is clear, the operator can visually observe the transfer. This provides an added level of confidence that the process is working well.”

It also automates a process that might have otherwise been handled manually, a prospect that is both ineffective and potentially hazardous.

“The Masterflex pump system is a significant advantage compared to pouring mercury out of a flask that weighs about 80 pounds,” said Spampinato. “While the viscosity of mercury is similar to water, its density is 13.6 times that of water and it is a nonwetting liquid. Therefore, controlled pouring is virtually impossible.”

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Mettler Toledo Moisture Balance HG63

Moisture balances determine the moisture concentration of a particular substance. For example, you may check the moisture content of bread to ensure adequate shelf life or that the bread is not too dry. Or, you may analyze the moisture content to ensure just the right amount of water or moisture is contained within the final food product. Moisture balances operate under the principle that the weight of a substance is measured before and after, to determine the loss of water or loss on drying (LOD).

There are four main methods of determining the moisture concentration in a solid:

Infrared Coil

This method uses direct infrared radiation instead of hot circulating air to dry the sample. The infrared rays are absorbed by the sample and the absorbed energy causes the desired heating of the substance.

Halogen Lamp

This method is a further development of infrared drying. The radiator technology is based on the new halogen radiator principle.

Convection Drying

Here, a sample is dried by means of hot circulating air. To tighten up the drying conditions or to protect thermally unstable substances, drying is frequently performed under vacuum. The moisture content is determined by a differential weighing before and after drying.

Microwave Drying

This method is based on the absorption of microwave radiation by the water molecules of the sample. This absorption generates heat and leads to vaporization of the volatile components. Measured variable is here also the total amount of volatile components. This is determined by weighing before and after drying.

Helpful hints to improve your weighing accuracy

1. Before weighing ensure your balance is leveled correctly.
2. Keep your balance clean at all times. Visually check for debris spillage prior to use and, if spotted, clean using a balance brush.
3. Never use your hands to place tare weights or samples in the weigh chamber. Use appropriately sized and shaped tweezers or tongs to handle weighing vessels.
4. Use vessels of an appropriate size and material for your samples. For moisture analyzers, use aluminum sample pans due to the heat generated from the heating elements.
5. When placing objects on the balance weigh pan, aim for the same place each and every time, i.e. try to aim for the middle of the pan each time you weigh. This cancels out any effects caused by eccentricity (corner load error).
6. Be aware of how your balance is affected by your working environment.

When you finish weighing, check that the weigh chamber is clean and free of any spillage.

These simple tasks will help maximize your measurement scheme and make the most of an electronic balance.

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.

Cole-Parmer Compound Microscope 48923-20

Properly storing your microscope and keeping your microscope objectives clean are essential to extending the life of this valuable laboratory instrument.  Most microscopes purchased include a dust cover. Be sure to use it every time you store your microscope.

How to clean your optics:

Set up a tool kit with common cleaning items to keep near your microscopes. Clean your microscope objectives routinely, and be sure to wipe off excess immersion oil after each use.

Air puffer or squeeze bulb

Your cleaning tool kit should minimally contain an air puffer or squeeze bulb  to remove particles on the surface of the objectives.  Do not begin cleaning the surface of the objective if objects are present.  Small dust particles, dirt, or remaining specimens could be present and scratch the lens during wiping.

Camel Hair Brush

If particles remain on the objectives after using a puffer, a soft camel hair brush may be used.  Gently brush the objectives in a single motion.

When cleaning the lenses, avoid commercial facial tissue or Kimwipes® as these may contain silicone fillers that can damage the objective glass.

Use only lens paper on microscope objectives. To clean the objectives, place a sheet of lens paper over your objective.

Transfer Pipette

Apply a small amount of cleaning solution directly to your lens paper with a plastic transfer pipette.  Draw your wetted lens paper across the objective in a single continuous motion. Do not wipe back and forth with the lens paper.

The process may be repeated multiple times with new lens paper and solution until the objective lens is free of smudges. A solution of 50% Methanol may be used as a final cleaning agent to remove any remaining residue.  Never rub the lens and do not let the lens paper with cleaning solution touch the objective twice.  Clean in single, continuous swipes across the objective glass.

Lab Optic Cleaning Kit

Cole-Parmer offers a pre-built cleaning kit which contains an anti-static brush, probe, micro-fiber cleaning cloth, and a bottle of cleaning solution.

Now a more affordable option in flame photometry is available—the single channel, analog output, and digital display flame photometer from Cole-Parmer. Five filters for sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, and barium are included with the unit as a standard feature. Inheriting the mixing chamber, burner stem, and burner head from a higher-cost design, this unit offers the best limits of detection available from a low-cost instrument.

The Cole-Parmer^® Single-Channel Flame Photometer is ergonomically designed with a front-loading, unobstructed sample work area with removable spill containment tray. Select the element to be analyzed using the filter stick. The front panel LED indicates the element tested as well as flame status. Press “hold” to capture readings until recorded. Auto ignition and flame optimization deliver ease of use. Also includes automatic gas shutoff. With a small footprint (approx. 8” x 12”; 20 x 30 cm), the unit takes up minimal space on the lab bench. Easily clean and maintain the instrument.

One advanced option is the Flir T-620 ThermaCAM Advanced Industrial Thermal Imager with Voice Annotation and 4x digital zoom. It’s the industry’s leading high resolution camera with scalable Fusion (PIP) and touch screen display. It offers the highest accuracy of its class at 2% and has admirable features: it copies images and reports them to USB flash drives, offers instant in-camera multipage report generation, and has a Bluetooth^™ transmitter with METERLiNK^® wireless communication.

View the T-620 in this short video:

Find out what Ben has to say about these products and the features that make them effective in the lab. Read the article.

Saver Suggestion #2: Use an advanced bioreactor with one control interface

Bioreactors simulate an environment for photosynthetic organisms, especially algae, to grow and chemically convert. They are used for biodiesel and medical research, fermentation, and various applications within the production of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and more. Many, if not most, bioreactors require external lighting systems and peristaltic pumps to operate. Yet, newer, more advanced models combine these elements into one compact system that also takes up less space in the lab.

IKA® BR 10 Bioreactor

Doug Stark, IKA Manufacturing Engineering Manager, along with his colleagues worked with marine scientists to develop a unit that contains these efficiencies and more. “The IKA^® BR 10 Bioreactor is a self-contained automated unit that optimizes cell growth,” he explained. “The interior of the vessel is chemically inert, with no exposure to metal. It contains six compact double-fluorescent lamps which can be timed to simulate day or night. A digitally controlled overhead stirrer gently agitates the contents to assist with oxygen transfer while also preserving fragile cells. A variable-speed peristaltic pump provides the flow. One interface controls all of the variables―lighting, motion, pH value, and temperature.”

Because of the automation, users spend less time adjusting and monitoring the variables and can concentrate on other lab work. Also, with an integrated compact system such as this, labs can save more than twice their counter space as compared to traditional units.

According to Bob Hardin, Director of Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering, IKA, they can realize other savings as well. “Traditional bioreactors typically cost in the $50,000 range. With these newer, more progressive units, the price point is about half that even though users are getting more advanced features,” he said.

Some systems are also versatile. For example, as a 10-liter system, the IKABR 10 Bioreactor can also be put to use as a lab reactor. “Simply turn off the lighting system and this unit is equal to many lab reactors,” said Hardin.

The savings accumulates―less time to operate, less lab space, lower price point―to deliver enhanced efficiency.

More efficient options are available, including automating these tasks or outsourcing them. Instead of diverting scientists’ time from critical procedures or analyses, recapture it. Here’s how in part one of a two-part series:

Saver Suggestion #1: Use an automatic glassware washer rather than hand-washing

According to Labconco Product Manager Jenny Sprung, labs can realize multiple savings by using an automatic glassware washer. While the upfront costs of purchasing an automatic glassware washer will likely run several thousand dollars, the ROI is significant.

“For labs that are washing more than 25 flasks per day, the automatic glassware washer will pay for itself within two to two-and-a-half years,” said Sprung.

Labconco® FlaskScrubber® Laboratory Glassware Washers

At the same time, the water and energy conservation also adds up. “While the hand-washer expends 20 gallons of water―a conservative estimate―to wash 30 items of glassware, machine washing requires only 13.6 gallons to wash these same items. This amounts to saving 1,664 gallons of water per year,” she said.

Because less water is heated throughout the cycle, the machine washer is also more energy-efficient. “The scientist has the option to not use the drying cycle at all,” said Sprung. “If the delayed start option is activated, he or she can set the machine washer to run eight hours later, during off-peak hours.”

Automatic glassware washers clean all types of lab soil, from light to heavy. To remove waxes, agar, and other media, a high-heat washer works best; to scrub general solvent soil, high heat is not needed. To protect flasks, graduated cylinders, and other narrow-neck glassware, a spindle rack in the washer holds the glassware.

In comparative studies, machine washing eliminated far more total surface counts (TSC) of contaminants when compared to hand washing. “Our studies indicate machine washing removed more surface residue. When residue is left on glassware, it can impair or prevent the growth of bacteria and cell cultures. It has the potential to cross contaminate. Traces of residue can catalyze or make chemical syntheses impossible. And, glassware can become etched or corroded from residue alkaline,” said Sprung.

Of course, the immediate savings is the time that the scientist no longer spends scrubbing glassware at the sink.

Because sample protection is so important, Thermo Scientific developed a new line of Heratherm Incubators and Gravity Convection Ovens with this as their top priority.

Thermo Scientific Heratherm General Protocol Incubators are ideal for standard applications in pharmaceutical, research, medical, and food labs. They are designed to deliver top-quality temperature uniformity ranging from 5°C ambient to 75°C. Their unique airflow design, advanced microprocessor control, and automatic overtemperature alarm keep the internal environment optimal. An interior glass door enables sample viewing without disturbing the desired temperature. An intuitive user interface makes setting parameters easy. Choose from 2 to 6.3 cubic feet units.

Thermo Scientific Heratherm General Protocol Gravity Convection Ovens are designed for gentle heating and drying with minimal air turbulence. These ovens are a highly effective choice for precise heating applications. Their advanced microprocessor controls deliver detailed information on current temperature and set points. Set the temperature from 50 to 330°C and store the setting in memory while the oven is off. Visual overtemperature alarm and built-in safety backup maintain temperature control at 5°C above the set point if the primary control fails. A circuit breaker protects the oven from power surges. Thick insulation in walls and door maintains a safe exterior temperature and a silicone door gasket prevents heat loss. Low energy consumption contributes to their efficiency. Premium units also offer adjustable fan speed for application-related drying and a programmable controller for temperature ramps and dwells. Select from 2 to 6.4 cubic feet options.

Take a look to see how these meters might enhance your lab:

Cole-Parmer offers a Compact Color Meter that is lightweight and portable for use in the lab, plant, or field. Some models contain a sapphire window to lend extra protection to the color sensor.

The Compact Color Meters store readings in memory and recall readings on the display. Select color meters include software to enable users to manipulate and analyze data—download stored measurements through the USB port, create reports, upload standards, and create color libraries for automatic closest-color searching. The software includes formulas for CIELAB, Hunter Lab, CMC, LCh, and CIE94; it also calculates whiteness/yellowness indices, opacity, brightness, and delta E.

According to Nate Kogler, Division Product Manager for the Bradley Corporation, the new technologies provide enhanced washdown coverage and improved cleanliness. For an eye-opening article describing  this next generation of products, read more.

Keep in mind that temperature measurement is essential for proper food storage, cooking, and serving. Quick checks with a thermometer can ensure safety and a non-contact thermometer can remove the hazard of cross-contamination.

Oakton® Food Safety Infrared Thermometer

Check critical food temperatures with handheld infrared food thermometers. The Oakton^® Food TempTestr Basic Infrared Thermometer provides safe, non-contact readings in a half-second. With easy one-handed operation, the thermometer also features laser sighting to pinpoint your exact target, selectable degrees (F/C) display, steam interference filter, and a hold function that freezes display for seven seconds after button release. The Oakton^® Food Safety Infrared Thermometer is a combination contact/noncontact thermometer for all food applications. Its LED rapidly indicates if food temperature is in the bacterial growth safety zone. Green lights indicate safe temperatures below 40°F (4°C) and above 140°F (60°C). Red light indicates the HACCP danger zone between 40 to 140°F (4 to 60°C). The Raytek Infrared Thermometer is specifically designed for use in food applications. As a contact thermometer, it measures surfaces within ±2°F of the critical temperature zone of 32 to 150°F- the range where harmful bacteria grows most rapidly.

Indoors, air quality can be monitored for hazardous levels. In schools, office buildings, hospitals, greenhouses, and anywhere that high levels of carbon dioxide are generated, the Extech Portable Indoor Air Quality CO₂ Meter is a good option for checking air quality. For personal monitoring badges, the TraceAir^® Personal Organic Solvent Panel/Indoor Air Quality Badge is a high sampling rate monitor to use when organic vapors are suspected to be the cause of indoor air quality concerns. The Organic Solvent Panel (OSP) badge includes analysis by GC/FID for 25 common organic vapors.

To clean air, Cloud 9^® Air Cleaner with HEPA-Filter is EPA-registered and traps particles to 0.3µm. To rid your lab, office, or waiting room of dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and smoke particles with a portable air cleaner, choose the Compact Air Cleaner with HEPA-Filter and Optional VOC Filter. This unit even removes gases associated with sick building syndrome.