September 2009 Contents

Social Responsibility

"I do think that we're entering an age when scientists are increasingly aware of the social and political implications of their work. Many scientists are not just open to the idea of interacting with the public, but see that as an obligation." - Dietram Scheufele, Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison

F. Key Kidder

Perspective On: A Forensics Lab

In contrast to conventional labs that are mostly used for civil cases, crime laboratories are where scientists process evidence seized in connection with criminal probes. Another difference between a forensics and traditional lab is that it's a government organization. "We are part of a paramilitary organization, which means being within either the state police or local police agencies."

Sara Goudarzi

Staying on Schedule

By designing projects to minimize the possibility of delays and taking remedial action should they occur, lab managers can enhance the reputation of their laboratories and increase their value to their organizations.

John K. Borchardt

Cryopreservation

The use of liquid nitrogen is an effective long-term method for storing viable samples while maximizing energy efficiency and providing an environmentally friendly approach to cryopreservation. This innovative freezing method ensures that cells remain viable, and indefinite storage is possible.

Ken Vanoster

Protecting Your Gassets

Following some simple guidelines and general considerations should result in a gas sampling and control system that is delivered under budget, that is safe, and that provides extended service life, delivering high purity and consistent process results.

Larry Gallagher

Thinking Lean

The focus of a lean laboratory is to test samples in the most efficient way possible in terms of cost, or speed, or both. Although most of the key principles of lean apply in labs, the specific challenges facing laboratories require significant adaptation of standard lean tools.

Tom Reynolds

Developing a Business Case

Evaluating a new product's capabilities with scientific criteria and judging its influence on the laboratory's efficiency is one thing; evaluating that product using financial criteria is another. A business case delivers the financial decision criteria on which various financial ratios can be based.

Johannes Ritter

Science Matters

Onboarding: Create an Optimistic and Welcoming Work Environment

Rich Pennock

Product Focus

Pipettes

Particle Size Analyzers

Centrifuges

Technology News

The latest equipment, instrument and system introductions to the laboratory market.

Evolution Of: Pipettes

Scientific demands to drive the development of this once simple, now highly sophisticated, techology.

John Buie

Lab Safety

Evaluating Training

Glenn Ketcham & Vince McLeod

How It Works

Automated Nanoliter Liquid Handler

3-D Cell Culture Simplified

An Automated Liquid Handling Station

Near Infrared Chemical Imaging

Spotlight on Software

Smart Software Purchasing

What you need to know before taking the costly plunge.

Convergent ELN

The latest ELNs now support the convergence of instruments, software and R&D workflows in an electronic lab environment.