Basic laboratory hardware

What is part of the basic laboratory hardware?

Every student needs their own basic hardware for experimental work in the laboratory. You have to shop these items by yourself. On the first day of the lab course you have to bring all the equipment listed with you (please consider delivery time delays especially when ordering things from the on-line platforms)!

In the following we present the individual items of your personal basic equipment in more detail. Most of it is also available in the ÖH shop.

Laboratory coat

The laboratory must not be entered without a lab-coat. Since this piece of clothing also serves for your protection, it must meet certain criteria. These include: 100% cotton, long sleeves, about knee length. The lab-coat can either be bought from the ÖH shop or e.g. at Schiefer - Berufsmode Linz or Hager Fashion GmbH. Of course, existing laboratory coats can also be used, provided they are still in an acceptable condition.

Safety goggles

The same mentioned for the lab-coat also applies to protective goggles - no laboratory may be entered without them. This also applies to those who wear optical glasses! Since the goggles are there to protect your eyes from chemical burns and other things, it is important to ensure a proper fit and that the goggles seal the face at the top, bottom and the sides so that no splashes can get into your eyes. A good look is secondary here (if you go blind due to chemical burns, you can no longer enjoy it). If you wear glasses, you may have to test different models to find a suitable one that fits well over the glasses (we strongly advise against wearing contact lenses in the laboratory due to safety issues)!

Safety glasses are also available from the ÖH shop.

Gloves

Protective gloves are also required. We recommend a pack of nitrile gloves in your size. It is important that the gloves are not powdered. Gloves are also available from the ÖH shop.

Spatulas (only in your second year and later)

A powder spatula (for small quantities) and a spoon spatula (for large quantities) are required for work in the internship. Both are available from the ÖH shop.

Tweezers (only in your second year and later)

Tweezers are also required for work in the laboratory. They are also available from the ÖH shop.

Peleus ball

A peleus ball is required for pipetting. You can get it from the ÖH shop.

pH paper

When buying indicator or pH paper, please make sure that it covers the entire pH range from pH 1 to 14 (many indicator papers only allow pH measurement in the range  from pH 1 to 11). Also avoid indicator paper with three colored strips, as our experience has shown that it is not suitable for measuring the pH of ferric solutions. pH paper is available from the ÖH shop.

Permanent pen

You need a waterproof permanent pen to write on glassware. There options, from DVD writers to “Edings”. The font size should be chosen so that the lettering can be read easily (i.e. no thick Edings). We recommend blue or black (other colors only if they are well covering).

Lighter

You need a basic lighter to ignite the Bunsen burner.

Calculator

We recommend a simple numerical calculator (the basic types of calculation are usually sufficient) - when using more expensive models, please be aware that these can easily be damaged in the laboratory (e.g. if acids or alkalis are spilled out).

Lab journal

The laboratory journal is a bound booklet in order to make notes on your test specifications and your observations in the laboratory. The laboratory journal must be bound, loose sheets are not allowed! We recommend the use of simple, cheap exercise books, as laboratory journals - like many other things in the laboratory - can be easily contaminated and due to this contamination should not be used for other things afterwards (and these are much cheaper and lighter than notebooks). The size must be between A5 and A4. You can use a checkered or lined booklet depending on your preference (if you have no particular preferences, we recommend a checkered one). If the laboratory journal is not completely filled during the Introductory Lab Course, it can also be used in the next Lab Course.

Dish soap

Needed to clean glass appliances.

Washing up sponge

Is required for cleaning glass equipment and laboratory benches.

Kitchen roll

Is required for drying e.g. laboratory glassware or mopping up spilled liquids.