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Science and technology have advanced rapidly in recent years, yet the U.S. is already experiencing a shortage of qualified workers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. While we enjoy the benefits of these advances, it seems not enough of us want to go into the related fields. This is creating some concern on the part of educators and policy makers across the country. If our schools don’t place more emphasis on STEM, who will fill these jobs and become the innovators of the future?

When finding the right equipment for any laboratory, it is important to find the best tools possible to help make your work the best you can do. Researching what equipment will serve the needs of your laboratory can require a long investment of time, and scales are no different. These are some thoughts to remember when you are looking for the right scales to use in your lab.

Moisture analyzers, which are used to measure the moisture content of a substance, are utilized in a wide variety of applications, including the pharmaceutical and food processing industries. Using a moisture analyzer typically involves first weighing a sample of the substance to be analyzed. The substance is heated until all of the moisture evaporates. The analyzer then computes the moisture content.

Assessing the amount of moisture in a material doesn’t simply give you a way to figure out how much water is in a set volume, though that’s handy, too. Instead, it can give you a way to figure out how much moisture -- in total -- is in a volume. For some people, measuring the amount of solid in moisture, like the amount of sediment in water or the amount of pollutants in a liquid sources is the goal. Moisture analyzers can do all that. Here’s how.

Scales are mostly about processing different types of weight and over the years many scales have been created for alternative uses. Laboratory scales have specific uses for chemists and druggists. Most of these balances are seen in food research or pharmaceutical labs. They are also other forms of these scales such as moisture analyzers, prescription balances, and analytical balances. In a chemistry lab, the use of these scale is for handling dangerous substances and weighing them in small containers. Larger industries may have a floor version of this scale used for weighing manufactured products quickly and efficiently.

People have always been fascinated with commerce and trade, even before the development of money and financial systems, let alone entire economies. To estimate fair and accurate values for objects, like those made of gold or other precious metals, or to measure quantities, like accurate amounts of flour or other foods, scales became necessary.

If you’re looking for digital platform scales to use in manufacturing and processing environments, keep in mind that they will likely be exposed to a lot of tough conditions, including dust and moisture. Always consider the environment, expected use, and your specific needs when selecting and using your platform scales.

Liquids can be a pain. Once mixed, you can't remove an over-added ingredient. This is a common frustration when trying to precisely pH a liquid, or when trying to get an exact mixture right. Liquids, due to this characteristic of component inseparability, can also be difficult to assess when trying to determine concentrations.

In places such as food processing plants, and many other factories, cleanliness and sanitation are of the up-most importance. In this day and age, there are many codes and regulations that must be up to date and strictly followed to insure the quality and safety of a product. Therefore, Washdown Scales have become a necessity for many companies.

Laboratory employees often encounter or interact with hazardous chemicals on a regular basis. We can help with our high-quality line of Torbal Scales and Analytical Balances, too. One thing many workers overlook, though, is selecting the right glove for the job. Even when weighing out high-viscosity hazardous liquids, the right gloves need to be chosen to protect skin.

Scales and balances are both common laboratory instruments. While one measures mass and the other measures weight, since they're almost always used on Earth, they tend to have the same function: measuring how much of something we've placed onto the weigh pan. Weight = mass * gravity and since gravity is the same in most conditions, the differences between the actual functions of the two machines often go overlooked.

Choosing the right weigh boat is an important factor in making accurate measurements using an analytical balance. Before you order weigh boats and select one to use most often, consider all your choices. The difference between the right weigh boat and the wrong one is as simple as accurate versus inaccurate measurements.