However, with limited resources, increasing demand, and the constant pressure to produce results, there is a pressing need to find different ways to improve lab productivity. Figuring out the right processes, resources, and people management strategies is the most effective way to maximize efficiency, enhance scientific value, and minimize wasted time and energy. Here are a few other tips to increase productivity in your lab:

Promote an Organized Workplace

The first step to increasing productivity in the lab is to organize the workplace. Implementing a 5S program can give you a better idea about where you’re going to place unmovable equipment, frequently used tools, electronics, samples, and waste. This will help you eliminate waste and reduce the amount of time spent searching for tools, supplies, and information.

Improve Stock Management

Nothing can interfere with lab productivity more than finding out that you ran out of important materials in the middle of an experiment. This is why inventory management is a crucial part of working in a lab. You need to have a process in place to ensure that there is a constant supply of required items and that team members can find them easily when needed. A well-planned stock management system will also make sure that there is no waste.

There are many systems out there that allow you to keep track of materials and will update you when they’re out of stock or need to be reordered. Finding the right one for your lab can take some time, depending on your specific requirements.

Better Information Management

Apart from keeping track of your supplies, you also need to have a system in place to organize data and maintain daily records. One way to stay on top of things and avoid missing out on important data is to enter the information immediately after the experiment. Incorporating templates and protocols into your process will also make it easier to both input and recover the data when needed.

Automate Your Processes

If you notice that your lab is performing a lot of the same routine tasks, it might be time to consider investing in automation systems. This could especially come in handy with the ever-increasing need for more reproducible data. Automation technology allows you to streamline your resources and research practices, increase productivity, save time and money, and reduce the rate of errors. Moreover, the safety features in automation systems will ensure safer working conditions for your staff.

However, it might be difficult to figure out the level of automation your laboratory needs—this is where Questron Technologies Corp can help you! Our Vulcan Platform is a fully modular, automated digestion system that is capable of carrying out 6 fully automated features in any Lab Sample Digestion process. You can even build your own Vulcan by customizing the software to suit your laboratory’s unique requirements. If you’re unsure about where to start, our automation experts can work with you to understand the needs of your lab and help you determine your ideal Vulcan configuration.

Some of the areas Questron Technologies can help automate include reagent dispensing, heating and cooling, dilution, stirring, and aliquot transfer.

QPump and Syringe Drive

It can be hard to find a peristaltic pump that can pump high purity acids without getting destroyed by acidic gas. This is why we invented the QPump—a 1/16” peristaltic acid dispensing tube with an accuracy of ±0.1 mL or ±0.2 mL.

On the other hand, our Syringe Accurate delivery system is not only equipped with acid-resistant 3-way valves but can also independently deliver highly pure acid from one valve to another in a highly precise manner.

And the best part is that you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination with both of these systems since their independent tubing feature guarantees that reagents don’t come in contact with each other until the time of delivery.

Hot Block Digestion Modules

You can integrate any of our QBlocks into the Vulcan to control the block seamlessly. In addition, the Pneumatic tray life system will ensure the smooth transfer of the vials being inserted into the block to heat the samples or taken out to cool them.

Post Digestion Modules

There are a lot of monotonous, repetitive tasks involved in lab work like diluting, stirring, and transferring volume. The Vulcan can automate all of these processes, allowing your scientists to focus on the things that actually need expert attention. 

Vulcan is equipped with an ultrasonic, contactless sensor that lets it fill your digestion vials to the specified volume at an accuracy of ± 0.2 mL. It also uses probes to gently stir the vials for as long as required. After the Vulcan is done with all the necessary processes, all you need to do is move the standard test tube rack from the Vulcan to the analyzer.

Apart from Vulcan, we also offer another Automated Workstation called QPrep, an integrated solution that is capable of precise sample dilutions, transfers, and other liquid handling functions. It is designed to handle a large number of samples in multiple rack configurations. Moreover, it is especially useful when dealing with expensive and hazardous chemicals, improving the profitability and safety of the lab.

Flexible Software

Not only does Vulcan come with some excellent automation features, but its software is also extremely easy to use. With just a simple double click, you can define what needs to be done in every step. This way, you don’t have to make any changes to the SOP guidelines you were using before incorporating Vulcan into your process.

At Questron Technologies Corp., we understand the complexity of laboratory work and want to assist you in making your processes simpler and more efficient. Our chemists and mechatronic engineers are dedicated to developing customized automated sample preparation systems to match your unique needs. To learn more about our products, visit our website. If you have questions for us, feel free to call us at 1 844-363-1223 or contact us online. 

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Personal Protective Equipment

Don’t try to handle chemicals in the lab without wearing the following personal protective equipment:

• Gloves: Always wear chemical-resistant gloves that can handle contact with the substances present in your lab. If you notice any discoloration in your gloves, it’s a sign that they may be losing their efficacy and need to be replaced. 

• Goggles: Don’t try to handle corrosive chemicals without appropriate eye protection. Wear safety glasses or goggles with side shields when you handle chemicals, especially if there is a possibility of particles splashing or flying. 

• Coat: Wear a coat, apron, or protective suit that is impervious to fire when handling chemicals in the lab. Never wear a coat without inspecting it for damages or tears. If you do find damages, dispose of them, and use a new one. 

• Shoes: You don’t always need to wear shoes that are specialized to protect your feet from corrosive liquids. However, we strongly advise against wearing open-toed footwear in the lab. Instead, opt for shoes that will provide a certain degree of protection if you spill something corrosive on them. 

We also advise that you thoroughly read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) before handling a specific substance. Properly follow the instructions mentioned there to ensure your personal safety around corrosive chemicals. 

Ventilated Fume Hoods

A ventilated fume hood is an enclosure used to channel gasses, nanoparticles, and vapors. It is a common exhaust ventilation system used in laboratories to provide a safe space to handle hazardous chemicals.

Our experts at Questron Technologies understand that it can be pretty challenging to handle various corrosive chemicals during the experiment. So, we strive to develop application-specific sample preparation systems that are high quality and customizable. Our products can be of immense value to your laboratory. Read on to learn more about our products and how they prevent exposure to hazardous substances and keep you safe.

Automated Hot Blocks

If you’re looking for a robust and long-lasting hot block, our Automated hot block Vulcan system might be of use to you. It is capable of handling temperatures up to 400 °C and can dispense corrosive liquids as per the requirements. It can even handle post-digestion dilutions. 

This system is working hood and saves the prime laboratory space. If you have a specific requirement, we will be glad to create a custom QBlock to meet your needs.

Microwave Digestor

Our QWave digestion system has an in-built temperature and pressure monitoring feature for each digestion vessel. If you’re looking for a product that is ideal for open or closed vessel microwave digestion, evaporation, extraction, and synthesis, QWave is your best choice.

All the reagent handling for Microwave digestions before and after the digestion can be handled in Automated sample Handling system, Vulcan. You can now have fast digestions without concerns for reagent handling and dilutions and save a lot of time for analyzing and understanding the results.

Automated Liquid Transfer and dilution

The QPrep Automated Workstation is the ultimate integrated solution for precise sample dilutions, transfers, and other liquid handling functions in your laboratory. Handling large number of samples can create physical fatigue and make chemists prone to mishandling of hazardous chemicals. However, automating this process can prove to be safer and more profitable for your lab. 

QPrep is capable of performing multiple dilutions and provides consistent and precise reagent addition. It can also prepare calibration and QC standards and perform serial dilutions and aliquot transfers.

We work with multiple industries that require highly accurate scientific sample digestion and can help you find what you’re looking for. If you’d like to learn more about the products we offer, head over to our website.

Other Precautions

Here are other instructions to bear in mind when handling corrosive substances in your lab. 

• Don’t store corrosive materials above eye level. It could lead to slips and accidents around the lab, resulting in exposure to hazardous substances. 
• For the same reasons, avoid overcrowding your shelves and try to segregate incompatible substances from each other. 
• Keep all your containers closed and ensure that their manufacturer’s labels are intact and legible. 
• Don’t store corrosive substances near water, heat sources or oxidizers. 
• Always ensure that you’re adding acids and bases to water, and not the other way around. 
• If your experiment will release a lot of dust, conduct your work within a fume hood. 
• For any experiment that will release hazardous gasses, ensure to work in a fume hood and wear appropriate respiratory protection. 
• If you have specific skin allergies that could be aggravated when your skin comes into contact with toxic gasses, you must take extra precautions to protect yourself. In such cases, cover any bits of exposed skin before starting your experiment.

We’ve covered some of the basic precautions you must follow when working with corrosive materials in your lab. These precautions can not only ensure the safety of your lab but also your own personal safety. If you’d like to learn more about these precautions, take a look at the CDC’s guidelines for safe chemical storage.

At Questron Technologies Corp., we work directly with the industry’s leading laboratories to co-create products that solve some of your common lab concerns. Our team of chemists and mechatronic engineers strive to design the world’s most advanced automated sample digestion equipment. To learn more about our products, visit our website. If you have questions for us, feel free to call us at 1 844-363-1223 or contact us online. 

The post Top Precautions You Must Follow When Handling Corrosive Chemicals in the Lab appeared first on Questron.