move lab support cards to separate folder

utilization-of-balances/utilization-of-balances.md

+---
+layout: page
+permalink: /internal/utilization-of-balances/
+---
+
+# Utilization of balances
+
+## Routine maintenance of analytical balances from Mettler-Toledo XS4002S and XPE205DR
+
+
+### 1. Personal protective equipment
+
+* Always wear a lab coat and gloves when using the balances.
+* If necessary, wear safety glasses.
+* If weighing dangerous, volatile compounds, use a balance located under a chemical hood.
+
+There are such balances on the 5th floor in BT1 and on the 2nd floor in BT2.
+
+### 2. Weighing
+
+**XPE205DR: used for 1.4 mg to 220 g**
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="XPE205DR.jpg" height="400">
+</div>
+
+**XS4002S: used for 800 mg to 4.1 kg**
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="XS4002S.jpg" height="400">
+</div>
+
+1. For XPE balances, check that the air bubble is in the middle of the circle.
+   It is located on the rear right foot of the instrument.
+   <div align="center">
+   <img src="XPE205DR_2.jpg" height="400">
+   </div>
+2. Switch on the balance by pressing on “On/Off” until the display appears.
+3. In order to allow an equilibration of electronics within the balance, allow it to stand for 10 to 15 minutes before starting using it.
+4. Zero the balance by pressing on “0”.
+    a. For the XPE balance, make sure the doors are closed by pressing on “↨” or by passing your hand over the right and left upper parts of the terminal.
+5. Place an anti-static weighing boat or a weighing paper in the middle of the pan of the balance. Do not place the material to be weighted directly on the pan.
+6. If you weigh directly in a tube, place the Ergo Clip   on the pan of the balance and place your tube in it.
+
+**Ergo clip**:
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="Ergo-Clip_2.jpg" height="400">
+</div>
+
+7.	Tare the balance by pressing on “T”
+8.	Place the material to be weighted in the anti-static weighing boat or on the weighing paper in the middle of the pan to avoid corner-load error, for the XPE balance,close the doors after loading your material.
+9.	To prevent contamination of stock material, do not return unused substance to the stock bottle.
+10.	After use, switch the balance off by pressing on the “ON/OFF” button.
+11.	Contact the Quality Assistant if the logbook is full.
+12.	If you notice anything wrong with the instrument, contact the instrument responsible.
+
+### 3. Cleaning
+
+1. After each use, the balance and the material used to weight have to be cleaned.
+2. **XPE205DR**:
+    * Open the doors and remove the weighing pan
+    * Wipe the surfaces with a brush
+    * Wipe the weighing pan and the inside of the chamber with a damp cloth
+    * Place the weighing pan back and make sure it is correctly placed
+3. **XS4002S**:
+    * Wipe the surfaces with a brush
+    * Wipe the weighing pan with a damp cloth
+    * If some powder fell off the pan, carefully remove the crown around the pan and clean it to remove any residue. If you need assistance, contact the instrument responsible person
+    <img src="Crown.jpg" height="400">
+    * When the crown is removed, carefully wipe with a damp cloth around the weighing pan
+    * Carefully place the crown back
+    * Always wipe the area around the balance with 70 % ethanol to remove any substance
+    * Spoons: wash them with a mild detergent and water
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utilization-of-pH-meter/utilization-of-pH-meter.md

+---
+layout: page
+permalink: /internal/utilization-of-pH-meter/
+---
+
+# Utilization of pH meter
+
+## Routine Maintenance of pH meter “Seven Easy” and “Seven Compact” from Mettler-Toledo.
+
+## 1. Description
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="img/../description_pH-meters.jpg" height="300">
+</div>
+
+## 2. Personal protective equipment
+
+Always wear a lab coat and gloves when working with the pH meter. Wear safety glasses if necessary.
+
+## 3. Prepare the calibration reagents
+
+1. The calibration cannot be performed using the reagents directly in their original containers, they need to be aliquoted.
+
+2. Transfer a few millilitres of each of the three calibration solutions in a 15 mL falcon tube. Label them with the pH value of the solution and the date of aliquot.
+3. Indicate the opening date on the original bottles and store them in the dark.
+
+4. Keep the aliquoted solutions for a month, then replace them with fresh ones.
+
+5. Indicate the date of exchange of the solutions in the log book.
+
+## 4. Calibration
+
+Calibration should be performed only if it has not been performed on the same day (see logbook) or if you have doubts about the calibration status of the instrument.
+The pH meter allows for calibration of 1, 2 or 3 points.
+The calibration standard solutions are of pH 4, 7 and 10.
+
+1. Rinse the electrode with deionized water, wipe carefully the outside of the electrode with a lint free tissue.
+
+2. Place the electrode in a calibration standard and press “CAL”.
+
+3. The pH meter automatically endpoints when calibrating.
+
+4. For 2 points calibration, repeat steps 1 to 3 for the second calibration standard.
+
+5. For 3 points calibrations, repeat steps 1 to 3 with the third calibration standard.
+
+6. Rinse the electrode with deionized water, wipe carefully the outside of the electrode with a lint free tissue.
+
+7. After calibration, to return to sample measurement, press on:
+
+    a. “Read” for the Seven Easy
+    b. “End”, then “Save” for the Seven Compact
+
+8. Add the calibration date in the equipment logbook.
+
+## 5. Measuring the pH
+
+1. pH is temperature sensitive, therefore, make sure that your solution is at the temperature you will use it (for example: 37°C for cell culture medium).
+
+2. Make sure the sample has been thoroughly mixed.
+
+    a. If you use magnetic stirrer, make sure you stop the stirrer before inserting the probe.
+
+3. Rinse the electrode with deionized water, wipe carefully the outside of the electrode with a lint free tissue.
+
+4. Place the electrode in the sample and press on “READ” to start the measurement.
+
+5. During measurement, the decimal point of the display flashes.
+
+6. Once the measurement is complete, the display freezes automatically.
+
+7. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and place it back in its storing solution container (a 15 mL falcon containing 5 mL of 3 M KCl for example).
+
+8. Adjust the pH of your solution, use a Pasteur glass pipet if you use strong acids or bases.
+
+## 6. Maintenance
+
+1. All calibration solutions should be kept away from the light.
+
+2. Any spillage has to be cleaned immediately. Use wipes to dry the spill, then clean with water.
+
+3. The electrode has to be maintained in 3 M KCl.
+
+    a. Do not allow it to dry.
+    b. Change the solution at least monthly.
+    c. Indicate the date of change in the log book.
+    d. If the filling solution is encrusted outside the electrode, remove it by rinsing the electrode with deionized water.
+
+4. Contact the quality assistant if the logbook is full.
+
+5. Would you notice any issue with the instrument, create a ticket.
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