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Download PDF Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I worked in an analytical research and development R&D laboratory. Its role was to conduct the routine testing of polymers, devise methods of analysis, provide support to production-based quality control labs, support pilot plant R&D, and carry out special projects. Those special projects could range from analyzing competitive materials to analyzing unusual samples…

Before the 1970s, hard rock mine operators could dig for profitable hard rock minerals like gold or copper before abandoning the mining location and moving onward to find other prospective lands. About 140,000 relics of these hard rock mines, including unprotected tunnels and toxic waste dumps, have been found in areas under the control of federal agencies. Remedies to address…

One question that might have crossed your mind as a consumer as you reach in the fridge towards that questionable half gallon of milk to accompany your freshly poured cereal bowl is, “do these dates really matter?” The same can be said for over-the-counter medications, pharmaceuticals, and numerous other consumer items. One common misinterpretation is determining if expiration dates refer…

During most back-to-school sales you can pick up a basic college-ruled composition notebook for $1.00, or maybe even $0.50 if you shop around. Those 8” x 10” paperboard-covered, 100-page pads of paper are great for third-grade math homework and work exceptionally well as a teenage girl’s diary. But paper notebooks should have no place in a modern laboratory environment. Yet…

Starting and operating a laboratory is a vast and challenging undertaking. While securing the funding for a new lab represents progress and positivity, some intricacies exist in purchasing, hiring, and performing daily operations that are crucial for success. More than just a depth of scientific understanding is needed to set up a lab to guarantee years of fruitful and efficient…

Women in science, particularly in lab management roles, are reshaping the landscape of research and innovation. Yet, their journey is often met with unique challenges. From navigating gender biases to overcoming systemic barriers in lab operations, female scientists bring resilience and expertise to the table while facing obstacles that can impede their success. This article delves into the challenges faced…

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, food-borne illnesses sicken 48 million people (or 1 in 6), send 128,000 people to the hospital, and cause 3,000 fatalities in the United States alone.1 With these kinds of figures, it is evident that being ready for a recall or other potential catastrophe is crucial when a…

Imagine waiting a lifetime for an idea to become a reality, and then it is over in 100 trillionths of a second. That’s exactly what happened to a group of scientists at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California at 1:03 a.m. on December 5, 2022, when 192 giant lasers blasted a tiny cylinder of hydrogen…

As the global population rises and climate change intensifies, food security has become one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Laboratories play a vital role in ensuring safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supplies across the world. From detecting contaminants to driving agricultural innovation, laboratories are the unsung heroes at the center of global food security efforts. What Is…

The New England area around Boston is known today for medical and biotechnology research and development, overtaking the dominance of the computer industry that flourished here for decades. In the mid-1800s, another industry — textiles — dominated the area with mills spotted throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Today, if you drive along route I-495, you’ll find many brick textile…