Science has truly been a blessing for mankind as it has opened many new doors for us. Every field of the world uses science whether to increase work speed or to improve performance or production. The experiments made by scientists help the world to know more about certain problems and also find their solutions. So laboratories are the birthplace of the solutions to humanity’s problems. These labs help scientists and students to do research and find solutions that can help a lot of people. Every lab needs some basic lab equipment for smooth functioning. For this reason, we need a basic lab equipment list to know which lab supplies are most essential if you want to set up a new laboratory or refurbish the old one. This list will explain basic lab equipment names and uses of this equipment.  So let’s get started!
A collection of commonly used laboratory apparatus
Funnels and bottles
Science experiments often involve working with different liquids and for this purpose funnels and bottles are one of the most basic lab equipment needed. These funnels and bottles come in different sizes usually with a narrow opening for easy pouring of liquids. Theses funnels and bottles can be used for filtering, decanting, filling, or transferring liquids or powder from one vessel to another. Laboratory funnels are made of glass, plastic and also sometimes metal. However, the funnels made of glass are more durable, reusable, heat-resistant and chemical-resistant than plastic funnels but these have an increased risk of breakage. To make the working of the laboratory smooth and easy, funnels and bottles hold a prominent place in medical laboratory equipment list.
Beakers
Whether you want to mix chemicals, heat or cool down liquids, dissolve or stir solutions or do water baths, beakers are the way to do all these actions. These are very important to hold samples. They are also used to catch liquids from titrations and filtrates from filtering operations. Beakers are mostly available in cylindrical shape having a flat bottom that makes it easy to set it on different types of surfaces. These beakers come in several sizes starting from 1 mL up to several litres. Beakers are made of glass or different plastics. Because of the ease that beakers provide in holding liquids and samples, these are an essential part of our laboratory supplies list.
Conical Flask
A conical flask is also known as an Erlenmeyer flask, because it was created by a German chemist Erlenmeyer in 1860. It is also known as Titration flask as it is commonly used in titration process. The conical flask has a flat round bottom, cone-shaped body and a cylindrical neck. Conical flask is used to carry out chemical analysis and prepare concentration solutions. Because of its tapered body and narrow neck they are differentiated from the beakers. These two qualities allow the liquids to mix and swirl without any risk of spillage making it suitable for titrations. This flask can also be sealed with a stopper for heating. Conical flasks are suitable for boiling liquids. These are made in a wide range of volumes using glass or plastic.
Conical flask
Lab Stands
Lab stands are used to hold a beaker or a flask over the source of heat. For this purpose, lab stands come with rings or clamps to hold beakers and flasks. Depending on your requirement, you can get a lab stand in different styles and clamp/ring sizes. These are essential for holding and manipulating an experimental apparatus. It is one of the most important laboratory equipment used hence is included in our equipment list.
Test Tubes
A test tube is also known as culture tube or sample tube. A test tube is used to hold science samples. It is made of glass or plastic and consists of a finger-like length tubing which is open at the top and closed at the bottom. Test tubes are used for handling chemicals by the chemists. These are also used to heat small amounts of solids or liquids. Test tubes are used by microbiologists, biologists, chemists, biochemists, food scientists, laboratory technicians, and medical researchers for several reasons.
Microscopes
Microscopes are one of the most essential lab equipment which is used to magnify small objects and cells. These microscopes can be used by scientists to see the shape of a cell, its nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles. The lenses of the microscope allow the magnification of the object and consequently help to observe it closely and in detail. Older microscopes used only one lens but modern microscopes include multiple lenses to enlarge objects. Microscopes are used by scientists for several reasons including observing the fine and small details that cannot be observed with human eyes.
Microscope
Rubber Tubing
Rubber tubes are used in the distillation process. These tubes are flexible and resilient. These are made of natural or synthetic rubber. In the process of distillation, a rubber tubing is connected to a condenser which helps cool water flow in and out of the condenser. In this way, it helps heated water in the condenser return to its liquid state.
Lab Burners
Lab burners are used for combustion, heating and sterilization. It produces a single open gas flame. This burner safely burns a continuous stream of flammable gas. It is used to heat samples with high or low heat. It can also be used to bend glass tubing or rods. These lab burners can run on alcohol, propane, and butane.
Safety Equipment
Working in a laboratory can be challenging because you have to deal with different chemicals and liquids that can be dangerous for you. In case of an emergency or for general safety you should have all the safety equipment present at hand in your laboratory for safety purposes. You should have the following in your lab supplies.
Lab safety instructions
Safety glasses
Safety glasses should be used to protect eyes specially when there is a chance of a possible eye injury. These can help to protect your eyes from chemical splashes, vapors, harmful fumes, and irritating mists. To protect your eyes from any possible damage, safety gloves should be a part of your lab supplies.
Safety gloves
To protect your hands from different chemicals in the laboratory, you should always use safety gloves. These can help to protect your hands from skin absorption of harmful chemicals, chemical burns, and lacerations. Therefore, you should always wear safety gloves in the laboratory and these should be a part of your lab supplies.
Lab coats
Lab coats are used to protect your skin and personal clothing from chemical splashes hence they are important lab safety equipment.
Fire extinguishers
In the case of a fire emergency, a fire extinguisher should be available near a laboratory to prevent major damage. These can be helpful and lifesaving as they can help control harmful situations and prevent major damage. Therefore, a fire extinguisher should be added in your lab supplies to handle any disaster.
Chemical fume hoods
It is a ventilated enclosure used to exhaust gases and vapours. Chemical fume hoods can protect the lab staff from inhaling vapours and gases that can be harmful for them and thus is an essential safety measure.
First aid kits
You can get cuts or scrapes, or get hurt in the library in any way. As work in a laboratory involves chemicals and heating processes, there is a possible chance of minor lab accidents. In case of any accident, a first aid kit should be present in the laboratory to provide instant treatment.
Eyewash station
An eyewash station is essential in a laboratory as it can help to decontaminate any harmful substance that can accidentally come into contact with your eyes. It can help to immediately clean out any dangerous substance and thus help to minimize the damage caused to your eyes.
Safety shower cubicle
In case of a chemical splash or spill, a safety shower cubicle can help you to wash away these chemicals from your skin or clothing. For this reason, a safety shower cubicle is an essential part of your lab supplies.
Fire blankets
A fire blanket is used to control chemical spills in the laboratory. These are also used for smothering fires. Fire blankets can be extremely helpful and these should be a part of your lab supplies.
Burettes and Pipettes
These are very thin tubes that are used to transfer very small quantities of liquid. A burette is larger in size than a pipette. Burettes and pipettes both are used for the same purpose, but these are used differently. The main difference between both of these is their release mechanism. Both of these are analytical tools that should be included in the medical laboratory equipment list.
Conclusion
Working in a laboratory requires several lab supplies that allow you to work smoothly in the laboratory. You should have all the above-mentioned lab supplies in your laboratory to help you in the lab work or to protect you in case of emergency. This lab equipment list can help you to identify all the necessary equipment you need for your laboratory.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
