Whether you’re a chemistry student, a lab worker, or a professional chemist, you’ll want to be working in a modern chemistry lab that’s equipped with the latest, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Having the latest equipment will make your work a lot easier and more efficient.
Continue reading to find out more about the various basic and advanced features a modern chemistry laboratory should have. These include standard analytical equipment, storage facility, automation such as robotics, and ergonomic facilities.
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Features of a modern chemistry lab
A modern chemistry laboratory, whether it’s in a school or used for professional research, has some common basic features.
These are somewhat standardised based on the common activities that are done in the laboratory. Ergonomics, safety, and efficiency are the main considerations here.
A modern chemistry laboratory should be free from clutter, comfortable, have emergency facilities like automatic, a non-liquid fire extinguisher system, and good standard equipment.
The typical design of a chemistry laboratory includes workbenches with sinks, gas supply pipes, and chemical racks. A laboratory is typically well-lit, with wash stations and showers for emergencies such as chemical splashes. The workbenches also have base cabinets where glassware and other equipment is stored.
Another important feature of a modern chemistry laboratory is the chemical hood, also called fume cupboard or fume closet. This is a local ventilation device used when experimenting on highly reactive chemicals, such as acids and bases. Hoods provide protection against chemical splashes and noxious fumes.
State-of-the-art equipment
The modern chemistry laboratory is to some extent standardised. However, there are some differences depending on its main purpose and focus. For example, if you have a lab that’s designed for industrial R&D in creating new materials, it will be highly advanced compared to a typical high school chemistry laboratory.
State-of-the-art laboratory equipment could mean any of the latest and most advanced equipment, and might be highly specialised and/or expensive to purchase and operate.
For example, a bioanalyzer, which is used to analyse RNA, DNA, and protein samples, can cost around £20,000. Most analytical equipment falls under this category. Many of these products are now digital and can require specialised software applications.
Chemistry lab safety procedures
Regardless of the type of chemical you’re handling or experimenting with, there are safety procedures you should follow. Most of the chemicals you’ll handle, as well as their byproducts, have some levels of hazardous effects, such as toxicity and corrosiveness.
The basic protective equipment you should wear in a chemistry laboratory includes rubber gloves, goggles, facemask, and a lab gown or apron. These will protect you against chemical splashes and fumes, helping to prevent injuries.
You’ll also need more advanced PPE, such as a complete Hazmat suit, when handling very dangerous chemicals.
There are also specific protocols that need to be followed when handling certain chemicals. The safety protocols include the correct way of applying first aids and antidotes. You can always find the safety protocols on the chemicals Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Storage in a chemistry lab
Aside from the base cabinets underneath workbenches, a chemistry lab typically needs to have storage room for the extra lab equipment and chemicals. All storage should be labelled, and within easy access of those who need it.
Some chemicals also need specialised storage and internal climate control. Special ventilation systems and fire suppression systems might also be installed in the storage room.
How is technology integrated into modern chemistry labs?
Modern chemistry labs typically include computers, automation, and even AI systems. Your lab may be connected to a database and other laboratories for collaborative purposes. Special software applications are also used to analyse the data.
Digital data collection and analysis
Chemistry is about both the analysis and synthesis of substances. These tasks require precise and accurate measurements.
The large volume of data collected from various experiments may take months, years, or even decades to manually analyse. However, with the help of computers, and now AI technology, these tasks may only take hours or even minutes to achieve.
For example, in 2022, scientists (rather alarmingly) used AI to produce chemical formulas for chemical weapons. It was able to list 40,000 suggestions in just six hours.
Automation and robotics
Automation and robotics are now an integral part of many industrial chemistry laboratories.
Many routine tasks, such as sequencing proteins and nucleotides for example, can now be automated. Tasks that require a high level of precision, such as injecting microscopic amounts of reagents, are now being performed by robots.
Design & layout considerations for modern chemistry labs
Modern chemistry laboratories typically have several or many people working in them at the same time. This is true for school laboratories as well as industrial laboratories.
Foot traffic is inevitable, and this increases the risk of accidents. A student or a worker may accidentally bump into another person in the lab, spilling chemicals.
This is the main reason why laboratories must be carefully designed for work efficiency and flexibility. For example, in order to minimise moving around, equipment and chemicals must be easily accessible to everyone.
Efficient workflow design
Laboratories should be designed to optimise workflow efficiency. This depends on several factors, such as the type of workflow, the chemicals you’re using, and the equipment setup.
The accessibility of chemicals and equipment is one factor, but your lab should also be designed to reflect division of labour so that each group can focus on specific tasks in their own space.
Flexibility and adaptability
Chemistry labs have general and standardised designs, making it possible to install different apparatuses on a large-scale basis without necessarily sacrificing flexibility and adaptability.
This means that some equipment or apparatuses can be repurposed, moved or removed, and redesigned.
For example, a typical brewery laboratory can be used to test, formulate, and analyse various types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Quality control & compliance in modern chemistry labs
The regulations and chemical industry standards for chemistry laboratories vary depending on the industry or sector.
For example, for schools with small class sizes of less than 25 students, a science laboratory with an area of 70m2 is sufficient. However, if the classes exceed 30 students, a minimum of 85m2 floor area is necessary.
Regulations may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the implementing agencies. Quality control is part of compliance to standards. A laboratory is usually inspected by the relevant authorities before it is declared operational.
Ensuring regulatory compliance
Various implementing agencies, including government and private accreditation organisations such as the ISO, are the ones that ensure regulatory compliance.
They usually send inspection teams to ensure compliance based on specific standards, and subsequently audit teams to ensure compliance continues.
Implementing quality assurance protocols
Some of the important factors that inspectors consider for quality control and compliance are the following:
- Floor size
- Equipment and apparatuses
- Safety features, such as emergency showers
- Storage facility
- Ventilation system
- Fire suppression system
Conclusion
Modern chemistry laboratories may vary in design depending on the industry or sector, such as chemical contract manufacturing where what’s in the lab and its layout could be dictated by the needs of customers. Lab design may also vary depending on its purpose. However, there are some basic equipment, facilities, and features that a modern chemistry laboratory must have, and compliance with standards is mandatory to gain proper accreditation.