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What’s Ahead for the Cannabis Industry? Five Trends to Track in 2023

scientist holding cannabis oil

With medical marijuana legal in 39 states, and recreational cannabis legal in 21 states, the cannabis industry has skyrocketed in the past several years. Understanding the state of the emerging cannabis industry means staying abreast of trends we started to see in 2022. From mergers and acquisitions to advances in technology to major legal reform, these trends are showing no signs of slowing down as we prepare to wrap up Q1 of 2023. 

Let’s take a look at the five most influential trends driving the cannabis industry in 2023.

Increased Legalization

While federal legalization continues to be a barrier to the growth of cannabis-related businesses across the country, increased legalization at the state level is moving the fledgling industry forward. Almost two-thirds of the country support federal legalization, a figure that is expected to continue to rise as public stigma fades and the benefits of decriminalization become even more clear.

Consolidation

As is typical of any industry experiencing rapid growth, the biggest companies in the emerging marketplace—Green Thumb, Curaleaf and Aurora, just to name a few—are poised to become even bigger in 2023. These emerging industry giants are absorbing smaller local operators, hoping to capture new jurisdictions now before the market is saturated.

Health and Wellness Messaging

Cannabis has been the subject of research for many years. As results are published, there is mounting evidence that compounds found in cannabis may possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in addition to alleviating symptoms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, depression, glaucoma and Parkinson’s disease. Communicating these benefits to the general public is positioning cannabis as an alternative to traditional medicine.

Advanced Innovation

From gummies to edibles and more, cannabis-infused products are making significant inroads with customers who have never tried cannabis before. These innovative products are especially appealing to those who find smoking intimidating. On the business side, cannabis cultivators and distributors have experienced unparalleled growth in productivity and profit. New technologies are making it possible for more products to be delivered to stores at a significantly lower cost.

Evolving Buyer Preferences

Although cannabis flower has been losing ground since 2019 to iterations of the product, it still led sales in 2022 and early 2023—a trend that is expected to continue through the year. According to a November 2022 report by Headset, Cannabis sales projections for US markets in 2025 | Headset (a leading cannabis data and market intelligence company) the U.S. cannabis product sales break down by market share as follows:  

  • Flower: 40.8%
  • Vapor Pens: 23.5%
  • Pre-roll: 12.2%
  • Concentrates: 8.0%
  • Beverage: 1.1%
  • Tincture and Sublingual: 1.0%
  • Capsules: 0.9%
  • Topical: 0.7

As we prepare to wrap up Q1 of 2023, some are predicting a reset for the fast-growing cannabis industry. The most successful businesses will likely continue to grow if they have the resources and tools developed to navigate a rapidly growing industry, and are ready to shift their approach quickly when needed.

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Five Things to Consider When Buying Lab Equipment

lab worker using microscope

Whether you’re outfitting a brand-new laboratory or simply in the market to make some much-needed equipment purchases for your lab, there are many different factors to consider when buying lab equipment. Before you pull out your wallet or charge that microscope to your credit card, you might want to consider a few key details before purchasing lab equipment.

Budget

First, you’ll need to know how much you can afford to spend on equipment for your lab. It might not matter how badly you need something. Too pricey is too pricey. Luckily, it may be possible to apply for grants or other sources of funding so that you’ll be able to make those most needed and potentially life-saving purchases for your lab.

Brand/Quality

Naturally, you’ll want to do some research to ensure that any equipment you decide to buy is of the finest quality and includes the latest technology. You wouldn’t want to purchase something that’s already outdated or on the verge of being obsolete. That would just mean you’d have to replace it again in the not-too-distant future.

Doing a bit of research early on in your buying experience will save you time and money in the long run. You can always ask friends or colleagues for their opinion on equipment brands, as well as check out product reviews online. 

Features

In order to make certain that your laboratory’s equipment has the ultimate level of functionality, you’ll want to pay attention to the equipment’s features. Be sure to scrutinize specs, benefits, and uses.

In the end, you want to make sure that you’re buying high-quality equipment that will be long-lasting and capable of performing the tasks you need to have done. A piece of equipment can’t help you very much if it isn’t able to do the job, you’re purchasing it to do.

Warranty

No matter what type of lab equipment you decide to buy, get the warranty! If it’s not clear whether one is available, check with either your equipment’s seller or manufacturer to confirm it’s covered by a warranty. If on the off chance your new lab equipment malfunctions or fails to operate at its best capacity, having the warranty will save you a lot of hassle in either getting a replacement or a refund. 

New or Pre-Owned Equipment

Do you want to buy new or pre-owned lab equipment? Both of these choices will offer their own pros and cons. Buying new is always exciting, as it’s shiny, clean, and has never known wear and tear. It’s important in some cases, but don’t underestimate the durability and reliability of pre-owned equipment. If it’s been inspected, quality tested, and backed by warranty, you can rest assured it works as intended. Pre-owned products are always much lower in price than new ones, so your wallet will thank you!

Lab equipment is a big investment, and taking some time to research and weigh your options is an important step in the buying process. BaneBio is always ready to help you make the choice that’s best for your lab. Get in touch, so you can get to work!

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Predicting BioTech Trends for 2023

centrifuge with blue overlay

As we start the new year, scientists and laboratory industry experts will want to be prepared for what’s coming next with regard to Biopharma and Biotech. From continued COVID-19 work to extensive allergen research, here’s what 2023 has in store for labs across the country:

Continued COVID-19 Clinical Trials

The COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt throughout the industry, and this has led (and will continue to lead) to clinical trials of new medications being decentralized. This is a strategy that’s helping to recruit participants for clinical trials of drugs and treatment plans. We predict this will likely become an element of our new normal.

Expanded Use of AI

We foresee AI being utilized even more frequently as part of the drug development process. Today, drug developers are using AI and its algorithms in order to increase the speed at which they can find new medications. This helps to bring them to market quickly.

Heavier Focus on Natural Ingredients

Pharmaceutical companies, biopharma, and biotech will focus more of their attention on the environment. This makes sense, as many existing drugs were discovered by studying the environment. After all, Aspirin comes from the bark of a tree.

Today’s drug companies must look to the future by looking at the past. They need to take into account how the environment impacts their drugs’ development, and also the environmental impact that their medications, research, and development will have. It’s an ongoing, never-ending cycle, and as such, we feel we can safely predict it will continue far beyond 2023.

Continued Use of mRNA in Developing Vaccines

The pandemic led to the development of mRNA vaccines, and we feel that this development process will continue to be used by drug manufacturing companies as part of the current Biopharma and biotech trends. This will hopefully allow for drug developers and those who are involved in the drug production process to work together collaboratively. This will ensure that new vaccines and medications are ready for patients to use more quickly.

Solutions for Managing Allergies

There will likely be new options available with regard to treating and managing food allergies. Multi-disciplinary approaches, the use of AI, and other technological developments will make it possible for new drugs to be developed. It could even become possible for patients to no longer avoid foods that typically trigger an allergic response.

Tailored To-You Medicines

Perhaps most excitingly, certain drugs may be tailor-made for the individual patient. It might sound like something right out of a science fiction story, but we’re predicting that within the next year, the personalized medicine market will grow, and it will emphasize patients with unusual or so-called “orphan diseases” that only a very limited number of people suffer from.

With so much change and growth already happening, and with so much anticipated development clearly on the horizon, it’s vital to look to the company of the future.

BaneBio is the leading industry expert, and we’re consistently on the cutting edge of industry trends. Furthermore, we’re always up to date with regard to the standards within the industry. We specialize in providing laboratory equipment, supplies, and services to the scientific community in Maryland and worldwide.

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Improving the Quality Control Standards in Your Laboratory

lab worker organizing equipment

What is laboratory quality control? That’s a loaded question if we’ve ever heard one. With so much science happening in one area, it’s important to adhere to strong standards. This ensures that you can keep doing the tests and research that drives your passion without worrying about hitting snags of any kind.

So what kinds of protocols do labs need to follow? It’s about more than just keeping the workspace clean and maintaining attention to detail. Let’s go over some of the quality control standards you should be vigilant about maintaining. 

Organization

There are likely several people in and out of your lab from day to day, meaning there are several studies and experiments happening at the same time. Keeping these organized and running efficiently largely depends on having the right people in the right positions. Be sure to maintain a hierarchical chart and update it when necessary. Lab managers, safety officers, and quality control supervisors are all vital positions whose jobs should be done diligently.

Inventory

There’s a lot of equipment within the walls of a lab. Because of this, it’s important to document and categorize each item in the space. Be sure to train the proper individuals when any new piece of equipment is introduced to the lab, and always make the manuals accessible to everyone. In addition, keep logs of any equipment malfunctions so you know what items need some TLC from maintenance professionals.

Personnel

Your people are the most important lab resource. Without them, everything else is useless. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they’re always working to the best of their abilities. We’re not suggesting you run things like a boot camp, but routine training and staff/management meetings are a great way to keep open dialogue across the board. Making sure everyone is adhering to the lab’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is paramount, so performance and proficiency tests need to happen as well.

Process Control and Improvement

Process is important for any successful business, but more so for a lab. The focus here is the handling of samples, equipment, and other specimens. We’ve already touched on making sure personnel receive proper training on equipment, but it’s important to have pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes in place. Be sure to appoint the best person for the job to coordinate workflow.

Occurrence Management

We’re all human, meaning accidents happen. Even the best labs have faced their fair share. In preparation for an unexpected event, it’s advisable to have plans in place to mitigate the incident and take steps to prevent it from happening in the future. If necessary, consider retraining programs on equipment servicing. If you want to make sure you’re covering all your bases, a qualified entity such as Bane Bio is more than happy to step in.

Facilities and Safety

Labs contain hazardous materials. Like any establishment that works with potential dangers such as this, having strict safety policies is a must. Making all safety equipments such as, first aid kits and extinguishers easily accessible should be a priority as well as mandatory safety trainings for everyone who works in the lab. As mentioned above, you should have an emergency response plan in place… just in case!

Client Communication

If you’re offering lab services to external clients, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication. This allows ideas and feedback to travel between both parties quickly, which helps the overall process stay on track!

Document Everything

Take everything we’ve talked about thus far and document it thoroughly. Lab rules, hours of operation, current projects, safety protocols—all of it should be documented to include every detail. SOPs should be in writing for all procedures including specimen collection, storage, transport, and disposal.

This is just a brief overview of the things you should be keeping in mind to maintain the safety and efficiency of your lab. We could go on all day about methods for improving laboratory quality control—it’s a passion of ours! We hope you use this as a starting point for developing your rock-solid quality control protocols.

For any laboratory equipment or service needs such as logistics, repairs, or service plans, keep BaneBio top-of-mind. We’re the home of the scientific supermarket, and we’re here to help!

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Emergency Preparedness: Expecting the Unexpected in Labs

scientists working in lab

Like it or not, a laboratory can be a dangerous place. After all, it’s filled with chemicals as well as equipment that’s often heavy, fragile, sharp, or all three! That doesn’t mean all laboratories are dangerous, though. In fact, yours can be pretty safe, as long as you maintain a heavy focus on safety at all times.

The first step to being safe is anticipating what can go wrong, so why don’t we talk about some common hazards that you may have to deal with in your lab?

Emergency: Fire

You should always be wary of the potential for a fire, but pay extra close attention to a few select places. If you store flammable chemicals in your lab, this is a highly likely spot for a fire. The same goes for electronics, especially those that are meant to provide heat for any purpose.

While anticipating flames is important, you should also be prepared for a scenario in which it actually happens. Is there a sprinkler system that will kick in? Do you know where the fire extinguisher is? Do you know how to access and use it? Be sure to provide proper training for this equipment to all lab employees so that everyone is prepared if the situation were to occur. 

Emergency: Flood

Depending on the situation, water can be a great help or an immense hazard. In a lab, it can become the latter in several ways. Is the lab in an area where rain is common? Is it on the first floor of the building? Are there a lot of overhead pipes that could potentially burst?

If your answer to any of those questions is “yes,” be sure to have a contingency plan in place. Floor drains are highly advisable, as is equipment that you can use to manually remove water, like an industrial shop vac. It’s also crucial to keep water away from any electrical equipment that could harm you should it get wet, so be mindful of this if you find yourself in an unfortunate flooding situation.

Emergency: Extreme Weather

Nature will always be a force to be reckoned with, even in the perceived safety of the indoors. It can be a catalyst for the aforementioned flooding, but water damage isn’t the only thing bad weather can bring.

It’s always wise to anticipate strong winds from hurricanes or tornadoes. If you’re in the planning stage for your lab, consider finding a space away from outside walls and windows of a building. Should your lab still be at the mercy of destructive winds, remember your employees’ safety is top priority. Ensure they are in the safest place possible should bad weather hit while they’re in the lab. Memorize all the shelter in place procedures and know the “danger zones” to avoid.

Emergency: Hazardous Material Spill

Of all the potential emergencies a lab can face, hazardous materials present the widest range and most common forms of danger. Depending on what chemicals are being used, you could be facing anything from chemical burns to explosions.

Most chemical spills are easily dealt with by laboratory staff, but only if the lab itself provides them with the necessary equipment. Eye wash stations are a must, as well as proper protective gear and disposal containers. In the event of a more subtle emergency such as a gas leak, it’s imperative that monitoring devices are in place. Just as you wouldn’t set up a lab without a sprinkler system, you need to have things in place to detect harmful substances.

What about the incidents that are too big for your staff to handle? Having a rock solid response plan is crucial. Know the evacuation procedure, how to clean yourself off, and who to call to handle the cleanup. All of these procedures should be memorized by everyone before even a single bunsen burner is turned on.

Setting up a lab is hard work, but it’s all worth it to make sure things are done properly and employees are kept safe. While cutting corners may seem productive in the immediate future, you’ll be regretting it if you’re faced with a lab fire or hazardous material spill. BaneBio is an industry expert in setting up your lab for success. With extensive experience in lab logistics, we’ll make sure you start on the right foot with safety in mind.

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How to Successfully Set Up a New Lab

scientist working in lab

It’s the biotech entrepreneur’s dream. A science-based startup business’ Graceland, if you will. It’s lab design time, and BaneBio is here to walk you through the process of setting up your new lab design. 

The Business of Labs

The best opportunities begin with business plans, and a lab is no exception. Your business plan should include the following:

  • An executive summary
  • Company description
  • Market analysis
  • Organization structure
  • Management structure
  • Outline of services
  • Products offered
  • Funding request

This high-level overview of your company spells out why you know your lab will be successful, the services it will provide, the structure in place, and where dollars are allocated to make it profitable. If you’re looking for investors or a loan, this plan will come in handy to pique their interest. 

The Space

There are several ways to get rolling on your lab, from leasing spaces that once housed labs to building your business to spec. Although it is more costly to start from scratch, trying to fit into a former science space may not be ideal if they were not operationally set up similarly to the services and research you’ll offer. 

The Start-Up

Building a lab from the ground up is an investment. It’s one of the reasons why BaneBio is home of the scientific supermarket and is meticulous about prime used lab equipment. When selecting each piece that will make up your laboratory, following your budget is critical. Pay attention to where each dollar is going, from the flooring to the number of workspaces required. It’s not about cutting costs: it’s about making the best decisions when securing inventory and building your infrastructure. 

The Move

Moving large equipment and some lab-specific items may require specialty movers. Two guys and their truck may not be licensed to transport your items. You also want to ensure that your inventory is relocated by professionals who understand the precision required. When moving frozen storage, ensure all freezers are working and meet temperature requirements before stocking them. 

The Equipment

Now comes the fun part! BaneBio’s team is well-versed in helping labs of all sizes select just the right pieces. The type of labwork your company performs means you’ll need specific items. You can always add more tech and lab items later. What you need now is an expert like BaneBio to get you up and to run the right way. 

The Employees

You need more than a simple “Help Wanted” ad to build your team. Acquiring the right talent is critical, from compliance and labor laws to certifications and specialty areas. Remember, part of the lure to attract team members comes down to benefits, compensation, company culture, communication tools, and having the right leaders in place to encourage communication and job satisfaction. 

Let BaneBio Take the Stress out of Your New Laboratory 

BaneBio has lent its expertise and services to laboratories in the BioHealth Capital Region for over a decade. We are your trusted laboratory sales and moving service provider with the equipment knowledge, proper equipment handling materials, and proven customer satisfaction to meet and exceed your expectations.  

Don’t just let any company offer their purchasing suggestions or move your valuable scientific equipment: trust BaneBio, the Lab Logistics experts. Contact us today!

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Phases for Decommissioning a Lab

lab tech decommissioning a lab

Decommissioning is quite an undertaking whether you’re renovating, relocating, or closing a lab. It’s a project that must follow specific guidelines to ensure standards are followed with minimal liability. If you’re wondering how closing a lab works, we have the steps to follow: a lab closure checklist to assist you from beginning to end.

Develop a Plan

Before your team gets started with the phases of decommissioning a lab, you need a plan. Start by checking your equipment and chemical inventory. Once completed, it’s time to begin a full lab audit.

  • Lease obligations – If the parameters concerning moving out and decontaminating your space are vague, it can turn costly. From damage to walls and floors to discovering unanticipated waste or contaminants. It’s best to prepare for the unexpected and gather as much information as possible concerning landlord expectations ahead of time.
  • Seek guidance – Ask colleagues who have been a part of lab decommissioning for their advice concerning what worked well, what did not, and what they would have done differently. 
  • Find the stakeholders – Internally, your researchers, facilities group, the finance department, and environmental health and safety teams should play an integral part. Externally, keeping the property owner informed and part of the process is critical.
  • Dispose of chemicals and equipment – If not storing them, dispose of chemicals properly. If you have lab equipment you’re ready to part with, contact Bane Bio. We are the scientific supermarket and happy to help you sell your inventory.
  • Licenses and permits – Are there some permissions that must be managed to dispose of lab items? Some take a while to secure, like the disposal of radioactive materials. Have all licenses and permits in place before starting the big move. 
  • Decommissioning costs and enlisting partners – Some companies can help you move the process along efficiently. Working with vendors who specialize in this project may be worth the investment.
  • Storage – Are there some items that you plan on keeping? Do they have a place to go? Make sure a storage location and the proper moving help are scheduled early in the process. 
  • Safety and security – If chemical exposure is a risk, or you have high-dollar equipment moving out, safety and security plans must be enacted. 

Assess Decontamination Areas

Areas must be assessed and cleaned wherever chemicals are stored and utilized. Other rooms, like offices and common areas, will have different needs. Create a list of which rooms need decontamination and which require a little spring cleaning. It is your responsibility to clear the lab thoroughly and responsibly.

Areas to decontaminate include: 

  • Work surfaces, tables, drawers, shelves, and cabinets
  • Floors and walls
  • Waste receptacles
  • Chemical storage areas
  • Any spills
  • Cold rooms
  • Animal care areas
  • Fume hoods
  • Plumbing 
  • All lab equipment
  • Wastewater systems
  • Waste pickups

Decontamination Documentation

Note everything that’s been completed and the procedures followed. Keeping accurate records means you have answers if there are questions later on. Your records should include:

  • All assessment data
  • Means and methods of the assessment
  • Cleaning protocols for each area
  • All chemicals and hazards present during the process
  • How levels of risk were mitigated
  • All acceptable levels of risk certified by an industrial hygienist
  • Where hazardous and nonhazardous waste was disposed of
  • Where itemized equipment is now stored 
  • Photos that show the lab before and after decommissioning
  • Contact information for all who were part of the process

BaneBio understands the pressures of closing labs and what to do when you’re ready to rehouse your equipment. Let our team of highly-trained service technicians step in and assist with your gently-used items. Headquartered in Maryland, BaneBio proudly serves scientific communities throughout the world. Get in touch and let us know how we can help!

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Why is Preventive Maintenance So Important for Lab Equipment?

assortment of lab equipment on table

You know what preventative maintenance is, but you haven’t pulled the trigger yet. We get it. The thought of paying for maintenance at regular intervals seems like a waste of time when there are no immediate issues. But when it comes to lab equipment, it’s a must. Let’s take a moment to consider its benefits, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t opt in sooner!

Fewer Breakdowns

This might be the most important one, because it’s related to pretty much every benefit we discuss in this article. In short, fewer breakdowns means your entire operation runs more smoothly.

Most mechanical failures are due to neglect or improper use, so being proactive about upkeep really does go a long way in maintaining the integrity of your lab, its workers, and of course, its equipment.

Optimal Efficiency

When we talk about breakdowns, we’re usually referring to total operation failure. What many people often don’t consider is the fact that your equipment running doesn’t mean it’s doing the best job it can do.

Take a heavily used battery-operated machine, for example. Sure, it’s working, but the battery life itself is only a third of what it used to be. It’s the same with all equipment in some way. Failure to maintain working parts and replace faulty ones will mean diminishing returns in quality and currency.

Increased Lifespan

Equipment that receives a healthy amount of TLC will thank you by running longer! When it comes to machinery of any sort, mean time between failures (MTBF) should be monitored. Doing so will allow you to properly plan the ideal time to have maintenance performed. This approach means you’ll likely take care of any impending breakdowns before they have a chance to derail your operations. Fewer breakdowns means less damage, and less damage means equipment that stays running for longer.

Minimal Unplanned Downtime

Wait too long to service your equipment, and it could remind you in a pretty harsh manner. Sure, reactive maintenance ends in a fix (hopefully), but your progress is at a standstill until that happens. Minutes or hours of downtime for planned maintenance is much better than days or weeks of panicked fixes, right?

Employee Health and Safety

There’s also the wellbeing of those who operate the equipment to consider. You should always be operating under the assumption that any piece of equipment, electrical or mechanical, has the potential to cause harm. A bad wire on a microscope could zap someone or create an ill-timed spark. A robotic arm with faulty failsafes could cause serious harm to any limbs that are in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Preventive maintenance ensures that these risks are kept to an absolute minimum. Taking the time to have it done could save you the emotional and financial burdens caused by a workplace injury.

Additionally, if your business is subjected to a safety audit and your equipment isn’t up to snuff, it could mean your entire operation being put on hold.

It Saves You Money

All of the things we discussed above lead to the same benefit. Preventative maintenance saves you a lot of money. Sure, the maintenance has a price tag on it, but taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture will reveal a brighter future. It minimizes downtime, which saves you money. It optimizes work quality, which builds trust with your clients and financial supporters. It reduces the risk of injuries that could cost you thousands or even millions, depending on severity.

Are you making moves to create the most effective laboratory environment possible for your business? Get in touch with BaneBio! Our top-condition products and expert services make us the ideal partner for your lab!

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Older Than You Think! A Brief History of Microscopes.

white microscope

It has aged quite well. 

The microscope is centuries old. In the early writings of Roman philosophers, they mention “burning glass” which sounds like they were onto something big. The first invention to enhance small object observation was made in the late 1300s when two lenses were placed at opposite ends of a tube. This prototype launched what we know as the microscope. 

The Early Microscope History

During the 13th century, grinding glass for spectacles (glasses) and magnifying glasses was standard. In the late 16th century, Dutch lens makers designed devices that could magnify objects. In 1609, everything changed. Galileo perfected what was named the microscope. 

The compound microscope was invented by Dutch spectacle makers Zaccharias Janssen and Hans Lipperhey. They realized that placing different types and sizes of lenses on opposite ends of the tubes enlarged small objects. 

A New Discovery

In the late 16th century, while polishing and grinding lenses, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek discovered that specifically-shaped lenses increased an image’s size. His glass enlarged objects several times their size. The visual quality made it possible to see items at a microscopic level. Animals, bacteria, and the intricate details of everyday objects never before seen by the human eye were now clear and visible. Leeuwenhoek’s discovery made him the founder of microscopy, and his work was vital to developing cell theory. 

The Achromatic Lens

One hundred years passed before the microscope had its next significant improvement and solved a problem. Early models allowed light to refract when passing through the lenses, altering what images looked like rather than just enhancing their size. The achromatic lens, created for eyeglasses, improved the visual acuity of the microscope. 

Other Improvements

Changes abounded during the 18th and 19th centuries for the microscope in terms of housing, design, and quality. They became more stable, smaller, and visual acuity continued to improve. 

Several people contributed to its modern-day evolution. August Kohler invented uniform illumination allowing specimens to be photographed. Ernst Leitz figured out how to use different magnifications by putting multiple lenses on a turret that rotated at the end of the lens. Ernst Abbe discovered how to allow more light-spectrum colors to become visible. His design later led to the development of the ultraviolet telescope. 

Modern Microscope Technology

Thanks to the thinkers and inventors who saw ways to enhance its primitive design, the microscope has allowed scholars and students to study and discover the world around them. We can now see what was once unseen, which has led to the discovery of species, understanding bacteria, and cures for disease. Science––the world––is a better place thanks to the abilities and improvements of the microscope.

Ready for a microscope upgrade? BaneBio has been providing equipment to laboratories in the BioHealth Capital Region for over a decade. We are your trusted laboratory product provider that will meet and exceed your expectations. Don’t just buy your equipment anywhere. Trust BaneBio, your Lab Logistics experts. Contact us today!

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Manual-Fill vs. Automatic-Fill Dewars: What’s the Difference, and Why It Matters

scientist using cryogenic container

Cryogenic-storage options: decisions, decisions…

Labs make critical and calculated decisions daily, yet when it comes to choosing between a manual or automatic dewar system, investing depends on which type best suits your lab’s needs. 

What are liquid nitrogen dewars?

Liquid nitrogen dewars, invented by Sir. James Dewar of London in 1892, allows fluids to be maintained at low temperatures for a certain amount of time. Over the years, the dewar system has seen several iterations, innovations, and is simple in construction and design. The non-pressurized, air-jacketed structure includes two or more layers that are vacuum-sealed to prevent leaks, providing safety and thermal retention insulation. These freezers store tissues, cells, or other samples at temperatures reaching a frosty -196℃. The dewar has a loose-fitting plug or cap that is movable, preventing moisture and air from entering the chamber yet allowing liquid nitrogen evaporation. 

Manual-fill pros and cons

For the basic manual-fill dewar, the biggest win is its cost-effectiveness. The simple design means fewer problems with the freezer’s function. Once the tank is manually filled to the desired level, checking for evaporation rates, signs of frost on the outside of the tank, and monitoring for leaks is all it takes to keep it running in top form. Space within a lab is a precious commodity. These systems typically take up less real estate than their autofill counterpart by not requiring LN2 storage directly next to the freezer. 

One of the downsides of manual-fill systems includes checking liquid nitrogen numbers daily. The liquid nitrogen is generally topped off every two weeks, depending on how the freezer is accessed to retrieve items inside. Levels must be constantly watched, meaning there’s more room for error, which can affect samples. While investing in a monitoring system can help you keep an eye on LN2 tank levels, temperatures still must be monitored. That additional process equals time and energy that could be spent focused on other lab tasks. 

Autofill pros and cons

The name says it all: autofill systems do the heavy lifting for you. A liquid nitrogen source is connected to the tank and maintains LN2 levels automatically. Visual and audible alarms will alert if there is a system malfunction. Autofill also provides greater capacity to store LN2, alleviating the constant fear of running low. 

Here’s where autofill systems become tricky: there must always be an LN2 source stocked and functioning. Without it, the temperature could be compromised, leaving stored samples in a precarious situation. Autofill systems are pricier and they require more work to install and get running. Configuring the condensation collection system for moisture that pools on the transfer hose and installing the pressure regulator requires precision and accuracy for the system to work correctly. The investment in an autofill system can be hefty as can the uptick in electricity usage—huge considerations when considering budgets and the bottom line. 

Which is the system for you?

When you’re unsure which cryogenic system works best for your space, or an upgrade is in your future, let BaneBio help you sort through the details and secure the right storage for your lab’s needs!