Equipment List (Tools and Instruments)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Tablet
• Spawner (glassware & items source)
• Destroyer
• Interactive screen
• Scales
• Thermometer
• pH meter
• Transfuser (dispenser)
• Hot plate
• Gas source
• Gas analyser
• Digital pipette 

Tablet

The tablet displays task information. For the moment, it's the only place where the text information necessary for task completion can be stored. The length of the text field is limited to approx. 60-70 words displayed on it.

It can be anywhere in the lab to ensure the necessary text is always at the convenient place for the user. It can be picked up using the controllers and moved across the table or leaned against a shelf. 

If it falls down, it usually returns to its original position. 

Spawner (glassware & items source)

The spawner can be located anywhere on the table; it delivers new glassware to replace used, contaminated or broken items. Depending on task settings, it can deliver one or more types of glassware.

• A short description of the current delivery is displayed on its screen.
• If the task calls for using multiple types of equipment, set the next item to be delivered by pressing the gear symbol on the screen of the spawner to display a menu.

Destroyer

The destroyer is used for disposing of labware (both glassware and items) that is contaminated or no longer required. 

• To dispose an item, place it on the platform with the recycling symbol. After a short time the item will be permanently removed from the scene.
• If you dispose of a reagent bottle that was initially present, it will most likely reappear at its original location filled with the reagent to the initial level.
• The destroyer can be located anywhere on the table.

Interactive screen

This is a movable interactive screen that is usually located to the left of the user, behind the table. It can display reference tables or a dark and light background for viewing colours when necessary. You can press buttons on the screen to switch between the tables and backgrounds. The screen is attached to the ceiling of the lab with an adjustable boom and can be moved within a certain area using the handle at the bottom.

Scales

The scales can be used for measuring the mass of objects placed on the platform. The TARE button on the scales sets the current mass reading to zero, which is helpful for displaying mass differences while ignoring the initial weight. 

The scales are interactive, i.e. if the mass of an object changes while the object stays on the platform, the displayed value will also change.

Thermometer

A thermometer on a stand is used for interactively measuring temperature in a container placed under the stand. Please bear in mind that temperature in some containers cannot be measured.

pH meter

A pH meter similar principle of functioning to a thermometer with the only difference - it measures the pH of a liquid in a container under the stand, rather than its temperature.

Transfuser (dispenser)

This unit is used for transferring a specified volume of liquid from one container to another at a specified rate. May be used as a burette prototype to conduct rough titrations.

Two containers, a source (from which a liquid is taken) and a receiver (to which the liquid is transferred) are placed on the platforms of the unit.

The interface of the unit can be used to 

• set transfer rate and volume, start or stop the pump, 
• change transfer direction and find out how much liquid was transferred 

The liquid meter is reset when the transfer is stopped or a container is taken off the transfer unit.

Please note that not all containers can be used in the transfuser as the source or receiver. Reagents cannot be added to storage containers, and wide-mouth bottles cannot contain liquids. Container icons on either side of the transfer direction change button will indicate if anything is wrong with one or both containers.

Hot plate

A hot plate is used for heating containers that are put on its platform along with their contents. It is equipped with a thermometer that indicates the temperature in the container placed on the hot plate. It can operate in four modes that are activated with a slider in the interface:

0: the hot plate is off.

I: low heat.

II: medium heat.

III: high heat.

Use the thermometer to monitor temperature. It's necessary to be careful and stay focused when operating the hot plate as the changes may appear quickly.

Gas source

The gas source feeds gases to containers at a specified rate. It has three platforms for containers and can supply up to three different gases. The gas flow rate can be adjusted, and the volume of gas that is passed through the container can be viewed. The gas meter is reset when the container is removed.

Gas analyser

This is a digital counterpart of indicator paper. As the gas perception is limited in VR, the device simulates exposure the reaction mixtures where the gas is evolved to the indicator paper. 

When a container is placed on the analyzer platform, the container is covered with a protective glass, and a reaction with the gas in the container occurs. The result can then be observed on the screen.

Arrow symbols in the interface can be used for scrolling through pages with indicators. Each page contains one indicator window, where the small left-hand part displays the initial colour, and the larger right-hand part shows the colour after the reaction with the gas. Additionally, the name of the indicator is specified on each page.

Digital pipette 

The digital pipette is designed for manipulation with small and precise (0.1 - 10.0 ml) volumes of liquid.

You can find below the description of a typical workflow for this tool: transferring the exact volume of liquid from one vessel to another.

To pick up the pipette move the controller to it until the hover outline appears, and press the trigger.  Now, until you press the capture button, the pipette will be in your hand and there is no need to hold down the trigger button.

To set the target volume, use the touch circle or joystick. Touching the top of the touch circle or moving the joystick up will increase the volume by 0.1, moving it down will decrease it. The maximum volume that can be collected is 10.0 ml. The target volume is the above value on the pipette display (under the "gear" sign).

After the required volume is set, insert the pipette into the vessel (the neck hover outline will tell you when interaction is possible). Pressing the trigger starts absorption of the liquid to the pipette. The volume of thus absorbed liquid will be shown under the "drop" sign ("current volume"). 

If there is enough liquid in the vessel, the required volume is collected, target and current volume become equal.

If there is not enough liquid in the vessel, all available liquid is collected, and its actual volume is displayed as a current volume

By pressing the trigger again, the pipette will drain all the liquid contained in it.

If the pipette is not inserted into any vessel, the liquid will still drain and lost.

Please note that the specified volume can be changed even when the pipette is full, but by pouring the liquid into many vessels you multiply the deviation and the results may become less accurate.