The word wet lab has taken a whole new definition. Our first Design & Optimization of Biotechnology Process lab yesterday was one bloody mess.
Four people in one group didn't seem to do the trick. We needed more hands. After making 1/4 of the lab wet with all the water spillage, and also partially taking over the 'makcik' cleaner's job of moping the floor, we finally succeeded.
The objective of the experiment was to measure the velocity of the water flowing through plastic pipes with various diameters and opening of the valve.
Not only was trying to fix the pipe to the valve was difficult, but when we nearly succeeded, the water starting spurting out through whatever possible openings it could find. Even after jamming it with plasticines, it still didn't help. The water kept flowing out all over the place.
Since we started with the biggest diameter, which was the hardest, we successfully managed to wet the lab and give it a good mop which I think it deserved. We have engineered a method that ensures the water flows out bubble-free as much as possible. But that was of course after all the unavoidable spillage.
It got easier after that. The smaller the diameter, the less spillage. We were the first group to finish. Woo! That hasn't happened in a long, long time. But that's cause most of the time we're not really bothered to join in the crazy frenzy to fight for the apparatus and materials. We're civilized, you see. =)
It was one tiring lab practical. Having to control the water from spilling more, avoiding poking friends with syringe (which I accidently did anyway) and without any air-con (unfortunately it's switched off on Sat). But it was fun. Probably one of the most fun labs so far. Whee!
5 comments:
Yes, yes, I was the one Arshana poked! Haha.
But it was great! Because I looooove blood. (And maybe I'm masochistic too)
saya tak pernah wat lab yg perlukan tenaga yg hebat. and i've metabolized a lot of energy for completed the task. but for sure it was fun. really.. it all thanks to mr. wide grin!
"can i drop this subject?"
haha...my group are all guys! dun think we'll have probs with the upcoming experiments.
@yati: I'll remember to poke you more during the next lab. Ok?
@ann: Jadi part-time makcik cleaner. :p
@luppi: Are you belittling women? Lutfi! What century are you in? If you can kindly recall, we were the first group to finish that 'man'-ly lab. And we're all girls in that group. So there you go. :D
hoho...arshana can be easily provoked. but that's good. lepas ni mesti usaha dgn lebih bersungguh-sungguh.
Post a Comment