As one of the most widely adaptable forms of chemistry, organic chemistry laboratories are in high demand. These spaces are primarily for researching and developing new compounds and synthetic materials.
The application of which applies to use in various industries. As a result, they often see heavy use.
They are also stocked with highly specialized equipment.
Backed by decades of experience, OnePointe Solutions knows all about complex machinery and technology. They know both that must be safely stored and maintained within an organic chemistry laboratory.
That’s why we offer our lab design services, which we tailor to each customer to create the laboratory of your dreams.
Have you ever wondered what sort of equipment an organic chemistry lab utilizes? Join us, and let’s learn together!
What is Organic Chemistry?
Organic chemistry is a wide-reaching field of study focusing on investigating and understanding the components that make life possible. In addition to creating synthetic materials and chemicals, organic chemists have helped to develop a variety of medicines, cleaning products, and cosmetics.
The Essential Organic Chemistry Lab Kit
Obviously, none of these studies are possible without the appropriate equipment to work.
There are plenty of highly specialized machines that aid scientists in running complex tests. However, there are also smaller items, many of which have been a mainstay in laboratories for hundreds of years.
Fume Hoods
When you’re doing experiments, you’ll often encounter fumes. Since many of these fumes are harmful or toxic to humans, labs will need high-quality fume hoods to neutralize and disperse the harmful substances.
Fume hoods are just one of many crucial pieces of safety equipment that every lab must include, regardless of what is being studied.
Glassware and Clamps
Some of the most ubiquitous organic chem lab equipment is glassware. From beakers and vials to jars and dishes, these containers have essential roles in every scientific laboratory.
In an organic chemistry lab, you’ll likely see:
- Beakers
- Burettes
- Condensers
- Erlenmeyer flasks
- Graduated cylinders
- Petri dishes
- Slides
- Vials
You’ll also see plenty of clamps. These are often used to hold containers in place while experiments are in progress.
That’s a lot of equipment names to remember, and it’s also a lot of material to store. At OnePointe Solutions, we offer plenty of fully customizable casework solutions for every lab.
Our experts know how to optimize the space you have, and we will make sure that you have plenty of room to keep all of your vessels and glassware safe and secure.
To store the results of your experiments, you’ll also need to have high-quality biosafety cabinets. We manufacture our cabinets to be as secure as you need them to be, and we guarantee them to meet CDC and WHO guidelines.
Heating Mantles
You may not find a heating mantle in every organic chemistry lab, but plenty of establishments have their own heating mantles. These high-tech devices most often pair with a variac, which we’ll get to in a minute.
The heating mantle has two equipment names, and it is also known as an isomantle. It looks a little bit like a basket, and its function is to heat items up without the drawbacks of a water bath or direct heat.
Microscopes
High-powered microscopes are a must for organic chemists. Without these ubiquitous pieces of laboratory technology, organic chemists can’t do their job properly!
Microscopes are necessary to study the chemical reactions that power every discovery.
OnePointe Solutions offers ergonomic microscope tables for scientists of all types, allowing everyone to study safely and comfortably. As with all of our products, our tables can be fully customized to include whatever accessories or storage you need.
Stir Motors
The larger cousin of the stirring hotplate, stir motors work on the same magnetic principle. These heavy pieces of machinery are useful for providing a slow, constant stir to any mixture, and they’re often paired with stirring hotplates.
Due to their fragile nature, these devices are often left in place. They need a strong, sturdy surface to rest on.
At OnePointe Solutions, we know how to create the perfect spot for your stir motors and other essential apparati. We offer multiple countertop finishes, all of which we guarantee to be durable and gorgeous.
Our most popular offerings include epoxy or phenolic resin, high-density polyethylene, and stainless steel countertops.
Stirring Hotplates
Another essential organic chemistry lab apparatus is the humble stirring hotplate. These machines serve two functions. First, they heat a substance, then, using a magnet embedded beneath the heating surface, the machine stirs whatever substance happens to be on top.
These handy machines are usually produced as small portable units. As such, they can be easily stored in the drawers of a customized laboratory island when not in use, which frees up more counter space.
Thermometers and Scales
Because organic chemistry often relies upon extremely precise measurements and ratios, every lab will need to have plenty of thermometers and scales. These can be simple analog devices or highly refined digital measuring instruments. Many labs will equip both.
Variacs
A variac is a generic term for a variable autotransformer. These hefty pieces of equipment are to regulate the flow of electricity. This prevents labs from over- or under-powering sensitive equipment.
Specialized Instruments Used in Organic Chemistry Lab
In addition to the standard scientific equipment that you’ll find in an organic chemistry lab, there are also complex machines that are specifically designed for organic chemistry settings. These include:
Chromatography Equipment
Chromatography is the process of identifying and separating certain components of a mixture. Many times, scientists will dye these components so they show up on a microscopic slide.
This process is highly involved and specialized, which is why many organic chemistry labs will utilize a chromatography machine.
There are two types of chromatography: GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy) and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Each type has its own machinery and equipment.
Some laboratories will stock the supplies to perform both processes, but many smaller institutions will prefer one over the other.
Computers
In addition to all the high-tech fun stuff, the humble computer is an essential component of any lab. With a computer, scientists can record their data and write the reports that back all our modern scientific discoveries!
Depending on the layout of an organic chemistry lab, computers and office equipment may be in a separate room from the main laboratory. However, in some instances, the lab and office spaces will overlap, and scientists will need to have high-quality partitions and dividers to keep themselves safe while they work.
To support all the paperwork that organic chemists must do, organic chemistry labs should also consider upgrading their office furniture. Ergonomic chairs and desks encourage longer, more comfortable working sessions, which dramatically improves the overall performance of any working environment.
Diffractometer
X-ray diffractometers are mostly used to study x-ray diffraction patterns. In simple terms, these devices analyze how light passes and disperses through crystalline structures.
Using this information, chemists can properly and confidently determine the identity of a material or chemical.
Infrared Spectrometers
Just one of many kinds of spectrometric equipment, an infrared spectrometer can rapidly identify certain substances. There are many different types of infrared spectrometers, but some of the most popular models are the ones manufactured by Bruker.
Laser Flash Photolysis Spectrometer
More precisely known as The Edinburgh Instruments LP920, this chunky piece of equipment is just one of many highly specialized instruments used in organic chemistry labs. Equipped with plenty of cameras, this monitoring device gives organic chemists the ability to properly study the way light travels through certain substances.
Because of the delicate nature of these machines, researchers must take great care to provide a stable surface for them to rest on. OnePointe Solutions offers fully customizable workbenches, which are specifically tailored to optimize mass spectrometer performance. These surfaces keep the machines steady and offer plenty of storage space for all the materials and samples you’ll need to store.
Atomic Force Microscope
When planning an organic chemistry lab, designers must also take into account that certain instruments will need their own floor space. The atomic force microscope, often sold under the name of MFP-3D, is one of these instruments.
With this high-tech equipment, organic chemists can study the microscopic properties of a material while simultaneously measuring various chemical properties and reactions.
To facilitate this massive machine, organic chemistry labs must have plenty of floor space. At OnePointe Solutions, we understand that you need to optimize your space, and our team of expert designers has plenty of experience.
We’ll be able to work with you to find the best layout for your lab!
Scanning Probe Microscope
A scanning probe microscope is primarily used to study the surface of certain chemicals and materials. The most common scanning probe microscope is the JSPM-5400.
Need Help Designing Your Organic Chemistry Laboratory?
If you’re thinking about upgrading your existing laboratory or building an entirely new one, it’s time to get in touch with OnePointe Solutions.
Our experienced team has handled plenty of projects, and we know how to optimize and refine your space, no matter how limited it may be. We manufacture everything to your precise specifications, from custom laboratory casework, laboratory tables, and lab workbenches, so you’ll never have to worry about whether or not a generic piece of equipment will fit into your lab.
We even carry special lab equipment like fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and mass spec benches as well.
When you’re pushing our understanding of science to the edge, you deserve the best workspace there is. Never settle on generic. Instead, see the difference that OnePointe Solutions’ custom lab designers can make.