• Question: Did you ever have a serious accident in the lab? If you did, how did it happen and how did you solve it?

    Asked by Ignacio to Steph, Noel, Laura, Daniel, Carmen on 9 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Laura Garcia Ibanez

      Laura Garcia Ibanez answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Fortunately, I haven’t had any serious accident. I hope it stays like this!

    • Photo: Noel Carter

      Noel Carter answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Yes. Often we need to make things sterile. Generally we use a machine called an autoclave that heats things under high pressure in the presence of steam and this kills any bacteria or viruses. The autoclaves are in special rooms.

      Years ago in labs we used to do a home made version of autoclaving if we were in a rush by using pressure cookers (this is banned now). Anyway I was using the pressure cooker and the lid of a bottle came of and melted into the pressure safety valve so the pressure inside built up until the lid blew off and into the roof. Thankfully not hurting anyone. Anyway after that pressure cookers were banned and I think that applies to all Universities these days as it has happened elsewhere.

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