Lab Efficiencies: Time-Savers that Also Boost Your Budget

Lab Efficiencies:
Time-Savers that Also Boost Your Budget

In the laboratory, time is money. Yet, to keep processes running and research and production moving, some labs have lapsed into a familiar rhythm without questioning it. Their highly educated professionals spend time washing glassware or monitoring multiple bioreactor components or cutting tubing.

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:

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.

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.

Automatic glassware washer

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.

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, 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.

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.”

IKA Bioreactor

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 IKA BR 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.

Saver Suggestion #3: Order custom cut-to-length tubing rather than cutting it in the lab

One of the more tedious tasks for researchers and lab workers is manually cutting tubing lengths from spools. Not only is this a time-drainer, it can be inaccurate.

“With our Custom Cut-to-Length Tubing program, we’ll cut tubing to fit a user’s specifications,” said Chuck Krywko, Cole-Parmer Business Excellence Manager. “First, we’ll send a sample to determine if the length is right. Once we have the ideal length, we will cut the volume needed, even if it is a small amount. The lengths will be consistent from tube to tube.”

By outsourcing this simple task, the lab does not have to invest in expensive cutting equipment, or spend time readjusting tubing that was cut slightly long or short.

“To cater to a variety of applications, we offer a large selection of tubing brands, types, and sizes. Tubing lengths can be bulk or bagged, non-sterile, gamma-irradiated, or even validated sterile,” said Krywko. “We stock what our customers’ need, so they don’t have to. If they expect to repeat their order in the future, we can place it with a single part number to save them even more time.”

Summing It All Up

Savvy solutions, such as these, can translate into tangible resources: time, energy, lab space, and money. When comparing options, consider how all of these suggestions may produce more efficiency―and greater productivity― within the lab.