The present invention relates to a safety workbench having a work space surrounded by a housing having a work opening located in the housing front side and adjustable with an adjustable front panel for admitting into the work space an air inlet flow, an exhaust blower and a circulating air blower for conveying an air flow in the safety workbench, which are designed such that a partial air flow drawn in by the exhaust blower is filtered through an exhaust air filter as exhaust air flow from the safety workbench and a partial air flow drawn in by the circulating air blower through a circulating air filter as downwardly directed circulating air flow into the work space, and a control device, a differential pressure sensor (16) and two pressure transducers connected thereto which are designed to measure a pressure at two different positions within the safety workbench d, wherein a first of the pressure transducers is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the fan blades on the low pressure side of the circulating air blower and a second of the pressure transducers is arranged in a low-flow area, on the low pressure side of the circulating air blower. The present invention further relates to a method of operating a safety workbench according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a) determining a pressure difference between the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer by means of the differential pressure sensor, b1) comparing the pressure difference determined in a) with a nominal pressure difference stored in the control device, which corresponds to a nominal volume flow, or b2) converting the pressure difference measured in a) into an associated volume flow and comparing the calculated volume flow with one nominal volume flow stored in the control device, and c) regulating the circulating air blower such that the nominal volume flow is conveyed.

A worktable for a laboratory automation system can include a worktop with a level surface and a support profile for supporting the worktop, bent from a metal sheet The support profile can include a facing edge, and an underside of the worktop can lie directly on the facing edge. The support profile can include at least one reception lug. The worktable can include a bolt-shaped fastener for attaching the worktop on the support profile. The bolt-shaped fastener can project through the worktop and be received in the reception lug.

A worktable for a laboratory automation system can include a worktop with a level surface and a support profile for supporting the worktop, bent from a metal sheet The support profile can include a facing edge, and an underside of the worktop can lie directly on the facing edge. The support profile can include at least one reception lug. The worktable can include a bolt-shaped fastener for attaching the worktop on the support profile. The bolt-shaped fastener can project through the worktop and be received in the reception lug.

An arrangement for preparation of a distillation measurement of a liquid includes a heater and a traversing system. The heater supports a perforated plate selected from a group of standardized perforated plates which further supports a container containing the liquid. The heater is enabled and controlled during the performance of a standardized test for determining evaporation properties of the liquid. The traversing system is adapted to traverse the heater and to interrupt a further traversing of the heater, if a pressure force of the perforated plate put onto the heater against the container reaches a threshold value.

A sample identification system for an automated sampling device is described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample holder having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of sample vessels therein, the sample holder having one or more corresponding sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder; and an identifier capture device configured to detect the one or more sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder and generate a data signal in response thereto, the data signal corresponding to at least an orientation of the sample holder relative to a surface on which the sample holder is positioned.

A system and method for automated single cell capture and processing is described, where the system includes a deck supporting and positioning a set of sample processing elements; a gantry for actuating tools for interactions with the set of sample processing elements supported by the deck; and a base supporting various processing subsystems and a control subsystems in communication with the processing subsystems. The system can automatically execute workflows associated with single cell processing, including mRNA capture, cDNA synthesis, protein-associated assays, and library preparation, for next generation sequencing.

A system and method for automated single cell capture and processing is described, where the system includes a deck supporting and positioning a set of sample processing elements; a gantry for actuating tools for interactions with the set of sample processing elements supported by the deck; and a base supporting various processing subsystems and a control subsystems in communication with the processing subsystems. The system can automatically execute workflows associated with single cell processing, including mRNA capture, cDNA synthesis, protein-associated assays, and library preparation, for next generation sequencing.

A system and method for automated single cell capture and processing is described, where the system includes a deck supporting and positioning a set of sample processing elements; a gantry for actuating tools for interactions with the set of sample processing elements supported by the deck; and a base supporting various processing subsystems and a control subsystems in communication with the processing subsystems. The system can automatically execute workflows associated with single cell processing, including mRNA capture, cDNA synthesis, protein-associated assays, and library preparation, for next generation sequencing.

A precision tabletop for scientific instrumentation is described. The tabletop may be manufactured from as few as two pieces of material, include a honeycomb stiffening and vibration damping structure, be sealed from fluid ingress, include interior reinforcing structures, and permit accurate registration of machined features on all sides of the tabletop.

A precision tabletop for scientific instrumentation is described. The tabletop may be manufactured from as few as two pieces of material, include a honeycomb stiffening and vibration damping structure, be sealed from fluid ingress, include interior reinforcing structures, and permit accurate registration of machined features on all sides of the tabletop.