Pipettes
Pipettes
Product Code
KBL
Pipettes
Standards
A pipette is a lab equipment for measuring or dispensing small amounts of liquid in milliliters (mL) or microliters (μL).
The term "pipette" is derived from the French word "pipette," which meaning "small pipe". Pipettes are available in two main types: glass and plastic. Glass pipettes are composed of borosilicate glass, whereas plastic pipettes are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Pipettes constructed of plastic and glass are often used to measure quantities less than one milliliter (mL).
The pipette's working principle is primarily based on two mechanisms: the air displacement technique and positive displacement method. Each type of pipette contains a piston that travels within a capillary or cylinder. Air displacement pipettes leave a certain amount of air between the piston and the liquid. Positive displacement pipetting involves the piston making direct contact with the fluid.
Several parts of the pipette are described below:
- Plunger: It is used to aspirate and dispense the desired volume of liquids.
- Ejector button: It causes the metal bar to descend, ejecting the pipette tip.
- Volume Adjustment Knob: The volume of the sample to be transferred can be set by rotating the volume adjustment knob to increase and decrease the concentration. It cannot be rotated in a fixed-volume pipette.
- Volume window: It displays the set volume, and the place values shown depend on pipette size.
- Shaft: It is a tube-like structure filled with air in an air displacement pipette. When the piston is pressed, some air from the shaft is released, aiding in liquid aspiration. In contrast, releasing the piston aids in liquid dispensing while refilling the shaft with air.
- Tip cone: It is the area where the pipette tip is attached.
- Pipette tip: It is a piece of equipment made of polypropylene or plastic that has been moulded into it and comes into contact with the liquid.