Basics of Laboratory Research and Experimental Design

Experimental Design

An important part of your experiment is to envision how it will be accomplished. Before you even begin setting up an experiment, you should understand what you want to measure and why you are measuring it. Include details on the wiki and update your Research Plan.

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After you have an idea of what sort of experiment you will run and how you will set it up, you should utilize Process Controller to automate the experiment. Details of how to use Process Controller can be found on the wiki.

Equipment in the Laboratory

Tubing and Tubing Connections

There exist two types of tubing that we utilize in conducting experiments: soft peristaltic (easily bendable) and hard tubing.

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• Other flexible tubing (tygon or PVC formulation) is useful in creating coils for flocculators and can be put into a push-to-connect connector.

Making Tubing Connections

When you make a connection utilizing a push-to-connect connector, ensure that you push the tube is fully engaged in the connector. The tube needs to slide inside of an o'ring seal in the connector. You should feel a pop, when the tube slides inside the o'ring.

With peristaltic pump tubing, ensure that the tubing tightly fits over the barbed part.

Exercise in Experimental Design and Set-Up

Here is a sample exercise that should help to set up an experiment in lab. In a group or individually sketch out an experimental schematic of a mixing process to blend to chemicals.

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