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October 2025

Night of the Living Lab: 8 Rules to Keep the Spirits at Bay

 

When the moonlight hits the lab benches and strange vapors rise from the flasks, remember this: it’s not only the ghosts that cause trouble. Follow these eight rules and you’ll keep both your experiments and your soul intact.

 

  1. Dress for Defense, Not Disaster: Always wear your lab coat, gloves, goggles, and closed-toe shoes. Loose sleeves or uncovered skin make you an easy target for spills and burns.

  2. Label Everything, or Risk the Unknown: Never leave a container without a label. What looks like harmless water might be something far more dangerous. Clear labels keep everyone safe and prevent unwanted surprises.

  3. Beware the Flame: Open flames may seem harmless until you turn your back. Always tie back long hair, keep papers and chemicals away, and make sure the burner is off before you walk away.   READ FULL LIST

 

The Haunting History of the Scarecrow

 

Long before they became spooky icons of Halloween, scarecrows had a much more practical job; keeping hungry birds away from crops. Ancient Egyptians used wooden frames draped in nets to protect wheat along the Nile, while Japanese farmers crafted “kakashi,” scarecrows made of straw and old rags, sometimes set aflame to ward off evil spirits.

 

Over time, these rustic guardians took on a life of their own in folklore, often seen as eerie watchers standing alone in empty fields. By the 19th century, as Halloween traditions grew in North America, scarecrows found a new role as symbols of harvest and mystery. Their tattered clothes and lifeless stares fit perfectly into the season’s mix of fun and fear.

 

Today, they guard porches instead of cornfields, greeting trick-or-treaters with an eerie grin. So give a little wave next time you pass one, just don’t be surprised if it waves back!

 

Scarecrow photos taken in Downtown Essex CT.

Infographic: Advanced Technologies Streamlining PCR Workflows

 

Manual PCR setup is labor-intensive, error-prone, and difficult to scale as demand grows. Together with Biocompare, BRANDTECH explores how automation is transforming PCR workflows, enabling labs to achieve greater precision, consistency, and productivity.

 

VIEW INFOGRAPHIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Vacuum Meets Application: Optimizing Lyophilization

 

Lyophilization, or freeze drying, is all about removing moisture while keeping delicate materials intact. By combining freezing and vacuum sublimation, this process transforms ice directly into vapor, preserving structure and activity in sensitive samples. Whether you’re preparing pharmaceuticals, preserving cultures, or stabilizing reagents, precise vacuum control is key to consistent results. The right pump ensures efficient vapor removal, minimizes drying time, and maintains the low pressures required for sublimation. 

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Class A vs. Class B Volumetrics – When to Spend vs. Save

 

Laboratory budgets are often tight, and consumables such as volumetric plasticware and glassware can represent a significant expense over time. While it may seem cost-effective to choose the less expensive option, understanding the differences between Class A and Class B volumetric instruments ensures that accuracy and reliability are not compromised. Choosing the right class depends on the type of work performed, the required precision, and the level of documentation your procedures demand.

Understanding Volumetric Classifications
Volumetric glassware and plasticware are classified according to accuracy standards established by organizations such as ASTM, ISO, and DIN. 

  • Class A volumetrics are manufactured with the most stringent tolerances, ensuring highly precise volume measurements. These items are often individually calibrated and may include serial numbers and certificates of accuracy.
  • Class B volumetrics are built to broader tolerance limits—typically allowing about twice the permissible error of Class A instruments. They are well-suited for general use but are not intended for critical analytical applications.  Read More

BRAND glass volumetrics and VITLAB plastic volumetrics are available in both Class A and Class B designs, with a variety of materials suited for different chemical compatibilities. These options help laboratories balance precision requirements with cost efficiency.

Learn more about volumetric instruments
 

2025 Event Schedule

11/17 – 11/19: SLCan – Quebec City, QC

 

BRANDTECH Scientific is the US and Canadian division of the Brand Group representing: 

888-522-2726 | info@brandtech.com | brandtech.com

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