lab Liquid Handling | Definition, Instrument, Classification
Lab Liquid Handling
Pipettor
Dispenser
It refers to the use of tools or automated instruments in laboratories to perform a series of precise, accurate, and reproducible operations on liquid samples — such as water, buffers, reagents, or biological samples — including transferring, dispensing, diluting, mixing, and aliquoting.
In simple terms, with the core goal of precisely controlling liquid volumes at the microliter or even nanoliter scale. It mainly includes Pipettors and Dispensers.
The difference between Pipettor and Dispenser
| Key Feature | Pipettor | Dispenser |
| Purpose | Precise transfer of liquids | Rapid and repeated distribution of liquids |
| Liquid Source | Sample container | Reservoir / reagent bottle |
| Operating Principle | Piston-based aspiration and dispensing | Valve or pump-controlled output |
| Typical Volume Range | 0.1μL – 100mL(micropipettes:0.1 µL to 1000 µL) | 0.1 – 100 mL |
| Typical Applications | Sample analysis | Reagent dispensing, buffer addition |
Pipettor
Dispenser
Pipette Types
1. By Operation Mode
2. By Channel Configuration
3. By Volume Adjustment
Dispenser types
An electronically controlled bottle-top dispenser that allows the dispensing volume to be set via a digital display or program.
During operation, the user can directly input the desired volume on the display, and the dispenser automatically dispenses the liquid through an internal motor or stepper mechanism.
A bottle-top dispenser operated manually using a piston or lever.
The user controls the volume and dispensing speed manually for each operation.
Refers to dispensers whose materials and seals are resistant to corrosion by organic solvents, allowing safe dispensing of liquids such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone.
This feature can apply to either manual or electronic bottle-top dispensers.
Other types of liquid handling
Burettes & Titration Instruments
Used for the quantitative addition of solutions in chemical experiments, especially to determine the concentration of an unknown solution through titration.
The core apparatus is the burette, usually made of glass or chemically resistant materials, with graduated markings for precise measurement of liquid volumes.
Titration instruments may include manual titration stands, electronic automatic titrators, or intelligent titration systems, designed to improve titration accuracy and efficiency.
Organic Solvent Compatible
A Syringe Pump is a device used to aspirate, transfer, or inject liquids, controlling the fluid through a piston moving inside a cylindrical barrel.
Accessories include needles, connecting tubes, filters, valves, etc., which extend the functionality of the syringe or adapt it to various experimental needs.
