Maya Ellison
Pipettes are commonly used to transfer liquids, with the first one being invented by Louis Pasteur in the late 1800s. They are now used in a variety of applications, including in the health and wellness industry, and are available in glass or plastic. Plastic pipettes have become increasingly popular due to their affordability, ease of use, and portability. They can also be customised with printing or markings. In this article, we will discuss how to make 30 plastic pipettes using a DIY method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Small plastic bottle, clear plastic straw, bottle cap, hot glue |
| Method | Make a hole in the bottle cap with a hot soldering iron, insert the straw, seal with hot glue, screw the cap onto the bottle tightly |
| Functionality | The straw is the only way for air to get in and out of the bottle; squeezing the bottle creates a vacuum that sucks water into the straw |
| Use Cases | Transferring small amounts of liquid, such as essential oils, perfume, or water |
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What You'll Learn
Pipette at a 30-40-degree angle
Pipetting is a technique used to transfer liquids, usually in small, controlled amounts. It involves using a device with a small tube and a vacuum bulb to transfer liquids, one drop at a time.
When using a pipette, it is important to pay attention to the angle at which you hold the device. The angle can impact the accuracy of your measurements and the likelihood of contamination.
If you are using a micropipette, the recommended angle depends on whether you are "aspirating" (taking up liquid into the pipette) or "dispensing" (forcing the liquid out of the pipette). When aspirating, the micropipette should be held at 90 degrees to prevent the tip from touching the inner walls of the liquid container. This maintains the accuracy of the volume being aspirated. When dispensing, the micropipette should be held at 45 degrees, maintaining contact with the vessel wall.
For standard pipettes, or when dispensing with a micropipette, an angle of 30-40 degrees is often recommended. This helps to ensure that the liquid runs along the inside of the glass and that you do not contaminate your reagent by touching the beaker. It also helps to prevent droplets from remaining at the tip of the pipette.
It is important to note that the angle you choose can depend on the specific type of pipette you are using and the nature of the liquids involved. For example, oily fluids are more difficult to pipette due to the formation of air bubbles, and some liquids may require slower aspiration and dispensing to avoid inaccuracy. Additionally, the depth of immersion of the tip can also impact accuracy, with microvolume pipette tips typically being submerged 1-2 mm and larger volume pipette tips submerged 3-6 mm.
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Pre-wet the tip
Pre-wetting the tip of your pipette is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps to flush out any residual substances and prevent cross-contamination. Secondly, it increases humidity, reducing the possibility of sample variation due to evaporation. Evaporation within the tip can cause significant sample loss before delivery. By pre-wetting, you can increase the humidity within the tip, minimising the risk of variation in sample evaporation.
To pre-wet the tip, you should aspirate and dispense the sample liquid at least three times before aspirating the sample for your experiment or delivery. It is important to ensure that the pipette tip is adequately immersed in the liquid. Large volume pipettes (1-5 mL) should be immersed to 5-6 mm, while smaller volume pipettes should be immersed to 2-3 mm. Too little immersion can lead to air aspiration, while too much immersion can cause liquid to cling to the outside of the tip.
After aspirating, pause for about one second before removing the tip from the liquid. This allows time for the liquid in the tip to stabilise and ensures correct aspiration. It is also important to hold the pipette vertically and pull it straight out of the centre of the reservoir when aspirating. This is especially important when working with small volumes (less than 50 µL). Holding the pipette at an angle can alter the aspirated volume.
It is worth noting that pre-wetting is particularly important when working with volatile samples, as they evaporate faster than aqueous solutions and can cause dripping. By pre-wetting the tip, you can humidify the dead air space and reduce the impact of evaporation on the volume delivered.
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Use a plastic bottle and straw
To make a plastic pipette using a plastic bottle and straw, you will need a small plastic bottle, a bottle cap, a clear plastic straw, a soldering iron, and some hot glue.
Firstly, make a hole in the bottle cap using the soldering iron. This hole should be slightly smaller than the width of your straw so that it fits snugly. Insert the straw into the hole and seal it in place with hot glue, ensuring that the glue is completely dry before proceeding. Screw the cap tightly onto the bottle, ensuring that the straw is the only way for air to enter and exit the bottle.
To test your homemade pipette, squeeze the bottle gently with your fingers and release. The bottle should return to its original shape instantly. Now, dip the straw into a container of water and release your grip on the bottle to create a vacuum that sucks the water into the straw. If the straw is completely filled with water, your pipette is working correctly. To release the water, simply squeeze the bottle again.
It is important to ensure that the cap is screwed on tightly and that the straw is sealed properly. If not, water may leak from the straw. Additionally, when using the pipette, hold the end of the straw pointing downwards to prevent water from flowing back into the bottle.
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Autoclave tips at 121°C for 20 minutes
Autoclaving, also known as steam sterilisation, is a process that uses pressure-saturated steam to quickly and effectively sterilise items. Autoclaves are used to sterilise medical, pharmaceutical, and research items. The standard temperature for autoclave sterilisation is 121°C for 15 to 20 minutes. This temperature is chosen because it is high enough to inactivate even the most heat-resistant microorganisms, including bacterial endospores. The pressure generated when steam exceeds the boiling temperature is crucial for the autoclave's effectiveness, as it allows steam to penetrate all areas of the load. This pressure buildup allows the temperature to surpass 100°C.
Pipettes are available in glass or plastic and can be used to transfer liquids one drop at a time. They are commonly used to dispense liquid medications, essential oils, beauty tinctures, and beverage flavourings. When using a pipette, it is important to follow the correct technique to avoid damage to the tips and pipettes. This includes using the correct angle and depth of immersion, as well as properly wiping and filling the tip.
To autoclave pipette tips, place them in the autoclave at 121°C for 20 minutes. After autoclaving, the tips will be moist, so allow the moisture to evaporate before using them, preferably overnight. It is also important to note that certain parts of a pipette, such as the piston and the handle, cannot be autoclaved without altering accuracy and precision. Digital model pipettes can be autoclaved in one piece, and the tip cone modules of single-channel models can also be autoclaved. After autoclaving, the pipette must be cooled at room temperature for at least two hours and the calibration should be checked.
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Use the reverse pipetting technique
The reverse pipetting technique is used for accurate and repeatable liquid handling in laboratories. It is particularly useful for challenging liquids such as volatile liquids, viscous liquids, liquids with high vapor pressure, and foaming liquids. The technique involves the following steps:
First, set the pipette to your desired volume. Press the operating button to the second stop. Dip the tip into the solution to a depth of approximately 1 cm, ensuring that the tip is just under the surface of the liquid. Slowly and smoothly release the operating button, allowing it to return to its starting position. This action will fill the tip with a volume that is slightly larger than the set volume.
Next, wait for a brief period, typically one to two seconds, and then withdraw the tip from the liquid. To ensure accuracy, gently touch the tip against the edge of the reservoir to remove any excess liquid. This step helps eliminate the risk of splashing or bubble and foam formation, which is especially important for viscous or foaming liquids.
Now, dispense the liquid into the receiving vessel by gently and steadily pressing the operating button to the first stop. Hold the button in this position. It is important to note that some liquid will remain in the tip, and this portion should not be dispensed. The liquid that remains can be pipetted back into the original solution or discarded along with the tip.
Finally, to empty the tip completely, press the operating button to the second stop. Remove the tip from the vessel by sliding it along the wall of the vessel. Release the operating button to return it to the ready position.
The reverse pipetting technique is a precise method for dispensing smaller volumes of liquids containing biological solutions, proteins, or other challenging substances. It is an effective technique to use when high accuracy is required and can be successfully employed with regular air-displacement pipettes.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pipettes have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are more affordable than glass alternatives, which helps to keep the total cost of a product down. They are also safer, as glass can break and cause harmful spillages, contamination, and injuries.
Plastic is more difficult to sterilize than glass, as it cannot withstand high temperatures. Plastic pipettes are also less aesthetically pleasing than glass, which may be a consideration for beauty brands.
To make a simple plastic pipette at home, you will need a small plastic bottle, a plastic straw, a bottle cap, a hot soldering iron, and some hot glue. First, make a hole in the bottle cap using the soldering iron. Insert the straw into the hole and seal it with hot glue. Screw the cap tightly onto the bottle, ensuring that the straw is the only way for air to enter and escape the bottle. To test the pipette, squeeze the bottle and dip the straw into water. Ease your grip to create a vacuum that sucks water into the straw. Squeezing the bottle will then force the water out.
To improve the accuracy of a plastic pipette, it is important to pre-wet the tip before aspiration. This reduces evaporation and increases the humidity within the tip, which can help to prevent lower delivery volumes. It is also important to allow liquids and equipment to equilibrate to ambient temperature before pipetting, as temperature differences can cause variation in the volume of liquid delivered.
