Laboratories are often equipped with sophisticated and fragile pieces of equipment that need to be kept in sterile conditions. In a laboratory setting, a laminar flow workstation can make the surroundings sterile and free of contaminants. Whether the lab is meant for scientific research or is geared more towards the practical side, having a laminar flow hood can help keep lab operations sterile. The usability of the device has made it an essential part of any lab setting.

In this article, we will look into the types and benefits of laminar flow workstations to give you a better idea of whether you should install them in your lab or not.

What exactly is laminar air flow?

A laminar flow workstation involves a closed cabinet equipped with HEPA filters for the filtered airflow system. The term "laminar" denotes a unidirectional, constant airflow with minimal to zero turbulence where the airflow velocity usually stays between 0.3 m/s and 0.5 m/s. Since laboratories generally require a sterile environment to conduct operations, these workstations create a bacterium- and particle-free working environment.

Laminar flow workstations are primarily used for a range of applications, including microbiology, life science research, IVF, histopathology, plant tissue, and cell culture, to name a few.

Types of laminar flow workstations

Usually, two primary types of laminar flow workstations can be noticed: vertical and horizontal. The main difference between the two is the direction of the airflow as well as the placement of the HEPA filter.

Horizontal laminar air flow: In this type of laminar flow workstation, the air directed from the back side of the cabinet changes direction and flows throughout the workstation in a horizontal manner. The material placed inside is protected by the constant air supply.

Vertical laminar airflow: This type of laminar flow workstation is mostly used in labs where the air flows vertically or downwards over the work surface, which results in sweeping out particles and bacteria from the surface. The operators are provided with sufficient protection in this type of cabinet.

With that being said, here are the top 7 reasons why using a laminar flow workstation is a must in labs and other sterile settings.

1. Provides sterility in experimental environments

Laboratories mostly involve sterile conditions, where even the slightest contaminant can hinder the process. With airflow hoods decontaminating the surroundings get easier to clean and keep sterile for the experiments. If you are required to perform any kind of experimental work that needs precision, then it is crucial to install a laminar airflow hood. These devices are a must if you are working in an enclosed environment.

2. Helps in keeping research safe

Since in laboratories, many operations are associated with fragile instruments that need to be sterile to provide a safe environment, laminar air flow hoods offer the best solution to keep both the experiment and the operator safe from any hazardous situation.

An airflow hood can be divided into three categories: class 1, class 2, and class 3 workstations. Class 1 workstations are mainly for insulating researchers from exposure to vapours, dust, toxic fumes, and other hazardous substances. Class 2 workstations, on the other hand, are designed for facilitating microbiological and biological experiments by making the air completely sterile. Lastly, the class 3 workstations are used for maximum safety and are meant for handling extremely dangerous materials.

Regardless of the workstation, each of these devices provides safety to the experiment as well as the operator.

3. Ability to filter 99.99% of particles from the air

Quality laminar flows are equipped with HEPA filters and require meeting the HEPA standards for air filtration. HEPA filters are capable of removing 99.99% of all particles from the air that have diameters of 0.3 microns or more. For laboratories with greater sterility requirements, ULPA, or Ultra Low Particulate Air filters, are used in laminar hoods that can remove particles that are at least 0.12 microns in diameter.

4. Important in electronics design laboratories

High accuracy is required when manufacturing many electrical components, as the grooves on each chip will need to be more precisely engineered to keep them functioning. Microchips must currently be soldered with high-precision equipment, but if even the smallest airborne impurity affects the machine's performance by even a fractional millimetre, the microchip will be unusable. To maintain the smooth operation of this delicate process, laminar flow HEPA workstations can be the solution you need.

5. Ideal for biological facilities

Laminar flow hoods are extremely helpful for researchers who are examining how different chemicals affect biological stuff. The hood's capacity to filter the air contributes to the assurance of carefully controlled research of any compound's influence on living cell cultures. Additionally, Class 3 laminar airflow hoods may be exactly what scientists need to complete their work if they need to handle something potentially hazardous.

6. Eco-friendly and cost-effective

A laminar flow workstation is a complicated and complex piece of equipment. However, it usually uses a power source that connects to the wall and uses very little electricity. They are eco-friendly since they recycle the air in the space and make it simple to get rid of carbon-rich air.

7. Adapt to various needs

Both horizontal and vertical laminar flow hoods are suitable for use in laboratories. Air will be drawn in from the back of the unit and pushed toward the front by a horizontal laminar flow hood. A vertical laminar flow hood draws air into the system from the top and pushes it out the bottom.

Choose the former if you require a work surface with little turbulence or if you are dealing with relatively small specimens. Choose the latter if the convenience of use, portability, and ease of installation of the hood and filter onto a typical workstation are crucial to you.

Conclusion

All varieties of laminar workstations function according to the same concept: direct airflow towards sterility, turbulence control, and cross-contamination reduction. Any laboratory that performs any kind of precise and thorough scientific research needs laminar airflow hoods. Other uses for these workstations include basic lab work, electronics, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing areas.