3D printing lab ware

I’ve been interesting in 3D printing and its application in the lab for a while now. I’ve argued elsewhere online about how I think that a 3D printer is a smart move for any lab or department, offering a handy way to easily produce a wide array of custom lab equipment. I’ve also posted on this blog in the past about my own use of 3D printing to make immune molecules and my first custom plasticware – an adapter to allow 50 ml conical use with a 15 ml tube rotater.

However I’m lucky enough to be in a lab with a PI who also sees the potential of 3D printers for a biology lab – so he bought one! This has given me more leeway to play around designing labware, as I can squeeze prints and measurements to refine models in between experiments.

I thought I’d start simply with the basics; tube racks. Or more specifically, tube holders which can be easily configured in different arrangements into racks (e.g. using something like Tinkercad, which I used to make the models). So far I’ve made holders for (micro-) centrifuge tubes of the three tube sizes most important to a wet lab biologist: 1.5 (2), 15, and 50 ml.

All of these STL models are freely available on my Thingiverse page, as are the few larger racks I’ve made and tested out, along with a few other bits and bobs. I encourage those of you out there with printers to try them out - please let me know if you do. 

More importantly, I’d invite everyone to think about what tasks in the lab could be made easier, quicker, or even possible, through the addition of pieces of plasticware that don’t currently exist. Think about them, then find someone with a printer and have a chat about making them real!

One laboratory, en suite sauna

In lieu of an actual proper scientific blogpost this week, here I recount a recent lab horror story that struck me. With thanks to my labmates sending me the freezer traces:

Sunday evening. Kicking back at home, something vaguely distracting on the telly. Doing the chores, which on this occasion included last minute packing in preparation for storing our belongings before leaving the country. Everything was all on track for a nice quiet and productive night in. Until a phone vibrates.

20:08, G: “Hello team. Freezer temp has alarmed at -59 just now. Anyone using it? Anyone around in lab?”

Hmm that's a bother. Hopefully someone's just pulling a long weekend shift, maybe came in to bank a long point in a time course and was just being a bit slow to close the freezer after. If that's the case then they'll close it and this will blow over. Let's just wait a while and see who's there...anyone?

20:15, D: “The other freezer in that room is reading -62, might just be hot in there”

Oh bugger, now they're both going. Luckily these alerts also go to a lab manager, he's a good guy, always on the ball, he'll sort it.

Except nope, no reply. Wait, is that it levelling out?

Hope indeed!

21:04, G: “sorry to report, there was no plateau - i think we have to do something tonight”

Double bugger, because guess who lives closest?

21:19, me: “I am nearby ”

21:20, me: “If emergency action is called for”

In I go, let's see how bad it is on the ground... And it's sweltering. No AC. No air movement. A small room with six giant -80s, all shrieking in concert if not in sync.

The blue ribbon rises as the sweat rolls down...

Running around, begging security for help, ringing managers, moaning on Whatsapp, come on come on, let's check the thermometer again...

Scorchio.

It would have kept rising except here I propped open the fire door from the freezer room into the neighbouring lab, corridor, and convinced security to come and open the fire door to outside for a moment, giving a few blessed minutes of relief.

It doesn't last. The fire alarm decides to join the chorus, and thus the external door must close.

We need to move this cursed muggy miasma of stale heat, but where to go, and how to get there? Enter our trusty friend, the humble wedge. Let's prop open another door into the lab next door, knocking the smug grin off its air-conditioned face.

The good news starts to filter in.

Down to 39.5ºC on the thermometer; still fit for a steam room, but going in the right direction – we just need to speed this up. Let's go lab rustling!

Now we've got some circulation. It's still hot as heck, like standing in front of a giant hairdrier, but at least it's moving.

And there was much rejoicing

22:58, D: “Second Alert cancelled, you are a hero Jamie”
23:06, T: “Jamie = hero 🏆”
23:08, G: “Good thing he's not leaving for Boston or something...”
23:09, G2: “Brilliant! Thanks Jamie!”
23:09, Me: “Room is 38 now, so I think I can go home”

Lauded in the Whatsapp group, my name will be rejoiced throughout the lab, and I get to go home to continue packing my belongings. All in a day's work, for The Postdoc That Lives Nearest The Lab!