Caitlin Smith

Caitlin Smith

Articles by Caitlin Smith

  • Take Your Samples Around the World in an Environmental Test Chamber

    Monday, February 17, 2014
    Did you ever wonder just how would your dependable lab equipment—or your smartphone, for that matter—function in, say, Antarctica? Or even just blocks from your home or lab? How long would your smartphone or tablet last if it were accidentally left outside, braving the elements for days at a time? read more
  • Particle Sizing Systems: Key to QC and Product Testing

    Thursday, September 05, 2013
    A particle size analyzer, also known as a particle sizer, is used to measure the sizes of particles in a sample. It can also determine distributions of particle sizes. read more
  • UHPLC: Pushing the Limits of HPLC

    Friday, August 09, 2013
    For fields that rely on liquid chromatography, the standard today is usually ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). And with good reason—compared to its chromatography predecessors, UHPLC is faster, provides better separation, and requires less reagents for operation. A steady ... read more
  • Thermal Cyclers: Behind the Technology

    Wednesday, July 03, 2013
    Thermal cyclers, also known as PCR machines or thermocyclers, are essential for any laboratory that relies on molecular biology. An indispensable tool for DNA amplification, the thermal cycler often becomes a nonstop workhorse that lab workers expect to function properly and efficiently. read more
  • Analytical and Preparative Ultracentrifuges

    Wednesday, April 24, 2013
    Ultracentrifuges are a type of centrifuge designed to rotate samples at “ultrahigh” speeds (much higher than conventional centrifuges), with a rotational speed of up to 150,000 rpm, creating a centrifugal force up to more than 1 million × g. All centrifuges can separate species within a liquid ... read more
  • Capillary Electrophoresis Systems for High-Resolution Separations

    Thursday, March 21, 2013
    Capillary electrophoresis (CE) systems are powerful instruments that can separate proteins, nucleic acids, or other species from a mixture quickly, with great accuracy and a relatively small investment of researcher time. CE and its cousin, gel electrophoresis, both separate molecules according to ... read more
  • Guide to Solid Phase Extraction Systems

    Monday, February 18, 2013
    Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a liquid chromatography method of separating a particular compound, or analyte, from a liquid mixture in which it is dissolved or suspended. This is commonly performed when separating an analyte of interest from other impurities in a mixture, for example, in order to... read more
  • Buyers’ Guide: Flow Cytometers

    Friday, February 15, 2013
    The ability to sort individual cells quickly based on their size or protein expression has had a significant, positive impact on any area of cell biology research or medicine in which a mixed population of cells needs to be sorted out. This is accomplished using flow cytometry, in which cells (or ... read more
  • Overview of X-Ray Diffraction Systems

    Friday, January 04, 2013
    X-ray diffraction—analyzing the diffraction patterns that result when a beam of X-rays scatters off of atoms in a crystal structure—is a powerful tool for studying molecular structure. Analyzing the specific angles of the diffracted X-rays, as well as their intensities, allows scientists to ... read more
  • Guide to Micromanipulators

    Wednesday, November 14, 2012
    Micromanipulators are devices intended to translate macroscopic movements of the human hand into microscopic movements of a fine tool held in its grasp. read more
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