Choosing the right water purification system: Tap water has a variety of different impurities, including ions/salt, bacteria, organics, and nucleases. While the levels of these impurities in the water are safe for human consumption, they are not ideal for the different applications in your laboratory. Some consequences of the impurities can be clogged filters, left behind mineral deposits in lab equipment, or even cause morphology issues with cell and tissue culture. Enter your water purification system. Water purification systems are a critical component in most labs in avoiding the consequences from impurities. Itis important to choose the right one to fit your application, which can be a daunting task. In order to reduce the frustrations in selecting a water purification system, it will be helpful to keep a few things in mind. First, determine what type of water you need in your lab – ultrapure? Pure? Reverse Osmosis? You may think it is a good idea to go for the highest level of water purity and get an ultrapure water system for all your applications, but ultrapure water is actually not a good option for all lab applications. Identifying what application the water will be used in will help determine the type of water you need, and the water purification system that will work best. Second, consider your budget. It is important to understand both the upfront and annual maintenance costs of a system. Make sure you ask the sales representative the right questions so you are able to pick a system within your budget. Third, determine the features that will improve your workflow. You will quickly notice that most companies offer multiple systems for each water type. For example, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers the Barnstead™ GenPure™ xCAD Plus Water Purification System, Barnstead™ MicroPure ™ Water Purification System, and the Barnstead™ Smart2Pure™ Pro Water Purification System which all will produce Type 1 water. Keep those above tips in mind when determining what will work best for you and your lab.

Do you need more automated technologies for your temperature monitoring and reporting processes in your clinical trials?                       In clinical trials, a regulated landscape, data logging is critical. If you are working in this area, have you found yourself spending hours of manually logging all of your data? It’s time consuming, and there is a more efficient way. More companies are moving away from manual data logging, especially now when many are separating employees by staggered work times in the facility or lab to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. Handing off the manual data-logging task to several people, especially during a time of chaos and crisis, might be the road to human error. HERE IS ONE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY’S SOLUTION: Challenge A global pharmaceutical company’s clinical trial division requested a thermometer from its supplier that would help them stay compliant during the entire process of the clinical trial. They needed to monitor and document temperatures of the pharmaceutical, create reports with the data, and minimize the manual process and human error of data collections. They also wanted a plug-and-play solution with no software or learning curve. Solution A Traceable® Excursion-Trac™ USB Data Logging Thermometer It met all the needs of the company. Additionally, it had the familiar look and functionality of the original manual thermometer that they had been using for years. NIST-traceable calibration assured them of successful audits. Learn more about this product: Traceable Excursion-Trac USB Data Logging Thermometer You can easily monitor temperatures overnight or for any time period with the Traceable Excursion-Trac USB Temerature Data logger. The minimum and maximum temperatures are stored until the memory is cleared. Set high and low alarms in 1° increments; alarm sounds when temperature rises above or falls below set points. The alarm tracking feature stores data for up to 10 different alarm events detailing when the alarm state occurred, as well as when the unit returned within range. Alarm state indicator includes visual LEDs, audio alerts, and flashing LCD segments. Traceable® Products have an individually-numbered Traceable® Certificate provided with each unit, that assures accuracy from our ISO/IEC 17025:2017(1750.01) calibration laboratory accredited by A2LA. It indicates traceability of measurements to the SI units through NIST or other recognized national measurement institutes (NMI) that are signatories to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Agreement. Each product goes through an intense vetting process before it can carry the Traceable name, thus saving you both time and money by not having to calibrate separately. Specifications: Range: –50.00 to 70.00°C Accuracy: ±0.25°C Resolution: 0.01° Temperature Sampling Rate: 5 seconds Memory Capacity: 525,600 points USB Download Rate: 55 readings per second Outcome You can now monitor temperatures overnight and collect the data without needing to be present or log data manually. You can transfer data recorded in a CSV format to any computer via a USB flash drive—no software is required.

In a cleanroom environment, the right mask is essential for preventing contamination from skin flakes, oils, perspiration, and hair, as well as for protecting the cleanroom operator from known and unknown risks. That’s why selecting the right face mask for your cleanroom application is so critical. HERE ARE THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE: Identify the work environment. Do you need a mask for a pharmaceutical or biotech environment? For semiconductor, electronics or medical device manufacturing? Different environments require different protection. Your distributor or manufacturer can help you select the mask for your needs. Choose the appropriate style. Traditional pleated masks fit close to the face and some offer exceptional breathability. However, if the mask touches your lips or gets wet, consider a pouch style. Pouch designs keep masks from getting damp. They also have a larger breathing chamber, which makes breathing easier, and a consistent seal to reduce fogging. Determine the attachment. For a secure fit that will reduce the risk of particles escaping, look for masks with durable, ultrasonically bonded ear loops and ties. Some masks also are available with knitted headbands or snaps to ensure a tight facial seal.   After you’ve made your selection, it’s important to ensure the mask fits properly for maximum protection.   HERE ARE FIVE STEPS TO ENSURE A PROPER FIT: Make sure the pleats or pouches point down, to avoid picking up contaminants or debris. Put the mask on with the shiny side on the outside and the softer material on the inside. Adjust the head attachment. If you have trouble tying the mask behind your head, stand still and close your eyes while doing it. Pinch the bridge of the mask. (This will help fit the mask to your face and minimize fogging if you are wearing goggles or glasses.) Last, remember to smile when wearing a mask. Even if your coworkers can’t see you, it will make you all feel better!