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To achieve the highest level of accuracy, you should choose the smallest volume pipette capable of handling the volume in question. This is important because pipette is most accurate at nominal (maximum) volume. It is a well-recognized fact that even slight muscle fatigue reduces the output when performing work that requires precision. Therefore, in order to maintain the performance, pipettes which require high forces should be avoided. Moreover, heavy pipettes fatigue the user, selecting an ergonomic pipette allows precise operation. Electronic pipettes can be considered when number of samples is high or when reducing variance in pipetting is important. A multichannel pipette can significantly speed up working with 96 and 384 well plates.

There is two principles of how pipettes work, air displacement and positive displacement. The majority of pipettes used in laboratories work according to air displacement principle due to their wide applicability and lower costs of consumables. Positive displacement pipettes are sometimes used with problematic liquids, but air displacement pipettes can be used as well with correct techniques. An electronic pipette can eliminate a lot of the variance from pipetting and also variance between users. With an electronic pipette the piston movement is controlled automatically regardless of the user.

Different pipettes can fit different application, for example when working only with few samples a mechanical pipette is good choice, but when working with 96 microwell plates multichannel pipette is a better option. But in general lighter pipettes are better ergonomically, electronic pipettes can reduce the variance, and using tips and pipettes from the same manufacturer creates the most accurate system. Remember that choosing the right tip is as important as choosing the right pipette!

Accuracy of a pipette depends on several aspects. For example, different liquids have different properites, and therefore it is important to use the correct pipetting technique while pipetting. Another important factor is to use the correct tips, this means both corect volume tip but also that they fit properly, remember, the pipette and the tip makes one complete system. Additionally, accuracy also depends on the state of your pipette, therefore the pipette should be properly maintained, as well as calibrated on a regular basis. You can find out more from our Basics of Pipetting Handbook with some tips on how to improve pipetting accuracy.

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Both pipettes and burettes transfer liquids, however, the difference is that pipettes uses a piston system while burettes are graduated glass tubes with a valve. They are used for different applications. Pipettes are used for moving precisely known amounts of liquid while burettes are often used to determine unknown volumes in e.g. titration.

Pipettes lasts for several years, and their lifetime can even be extended with some years when properly maintained. In addition to the many years of service the costs comes from the fact that pipettes are precision measuring instruments that are designed for transferring small volumes of liquid both reliably and repeatably. With that said, you of course find pipettes in different price ranges. The more premium pipettes are designed with additional aspects in mind such as ergonomics. You can find some tips to what to consider when thinking of purchasing a pipette in our Buyers Guide.

The easiest way is to use a calibration sticker that states the date of when the pipette has been calibrated. If your laboratory has a fleet management system implemented, it should also be tracked there. After each calibration you also recieve a calibration certificate, which of course also states when the pipette has been calibrated. It is recommended to calibrate the pipette within regular intervals such as every 6 or 12 months depending on your applications and regulatory requirements. Do you need some help on setting up a quality control program? You can find some tips in this guide.

Pipettes are precision measuring instruments and are designed to be used for transferring small volumes of liquids in different applications. Pipette without tips are a incomplete system - you also need tips that actually hold the liquid soyour pipette can function as intended. There are different pipettes and tips for different volumes and applications. You can learn more about pipetting in our Basics of Pipetting Handbook.

Calibration is the process of testing and adjusting (when needed) the pipette that it performs according to expectations. There are different ways to do this, with different parameters. Gravimetric calibration, however, is the more common way. In our white paper you can learn more about gravimetric calibration. Generally, pipettes are calibrated according to ISO 8655 in an ISO 17025 accredited calibration laboratory by trained experts. The pipette is usually tested and adjusted in a 3-point calibration in 100%, 50% and 10% of nominal volume (maximum volume). Calibration is usually performed with a balance equipped with a moisture trap and distilled water in a room with controlled environment.

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There are two main factors, accuracy and precision. Accuracy describes the ability of an instrument to give responses close to the true value. It expresses the difference between the mean volume of actual measurements and the true value. Precision describes the ability to produce closely similar measurements. It tells how close a set of repetitive measurements are to each another.

1. Plan the pipetting steps, especially with applications where contamination can be an issue.
2. Select a pipette that covers the volume you desire to transfer.
3. Select tips that fit the pipette.
4. Adjust and lock the volume to prevent accidental volume changes.
5. Select technique according to liquid.
6. Operate plunger slowly and smoothly, or with an electronic pipette select correct speed.
7. Remember good ergonomics, to protect yourself from accumulating strain.
8. Store pipettes in stand and make sure they are maintained and calibrated regularly.

Pipettes with air displacement principle have a piston-cylinder -combination which manipulates an air column between the piston and liquid. Pressure changes in air column move the liquid in and out.

According to Oxford dictionary pipette and pipet are synonyms.

Check that the position of the multichannel pipette lower part can be rotated 360 degrees to ensure that pipetting can be performed ergonomically. Make sure that the multichannel pipette provides fast, secure, and simultaneous tip loading for all tips. It should be possible to mount the tips evenly without excessive force. Check also that the tips can be easily ejected.

Professional training is a very good option to improve pipetting skills. Especially when working with viscous, volatile, or liquids with low surface tension proper technique will increase the quality of results significantly. Ask your pipette provider if they offer training courses.

In addition to being able to pipette more accurately and precisely, proper training can save you time and promotes ergonomical working habits. See our training offering at https://www.sartorius.com/en/knowledge/trainings/pipetting-academy

Pipettes can be used with many different techniques, especially the electronic pipettes. Choose the technique according to the liquid you are pipetting. For more infromation ask your pipette provider for training. See our Pipetting Academy offering at https://www.sartorius.com/en/knowledge/trainings/pipetting-academy

1. Winding above or below the marked volume range.
2. Dropping or hitting, or othervice physically damaging pipette.
3. Using tips that do not properly fit to the pipette or that that the pipette is not calibrated for.
4. Using wrong pipetting technique, especially with viscous or volatile liquids.
5. Forgetting to calibrate your pipettes, calibration is the only way to ensure pipette will deliver reliable results.

A standard in most laboratories, micropipettes are instruments used to accurately and repeatably transfer small amounts of liquids in the microliter range (µL).  As standard pipettes usually start at 1 mL, micropipettes are used when minute amounts need to be measured with accuracy.

Volumetric pipettes: Volumetric pipettes are typically made of plastic or glass and have graduation marks. Their volumes generally range between 1mL - 100mL. Volumetric pipettes rely on users for measurement of volume and require a separate device for aspiration and dispensing - such as the Midi Plus pipette controller.

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Mechanical / manual pipettes: A workhorse of most laboratories and widely used in various applications. Manual pipettes aspirate and dispense liquid with piston system driving air cushions. These pipettes always use disposable pipette tips. User is able to set volume and use a plunger to aspirate and dispense liquid. 

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Electronic pipette: The basic operating principle of electronic pipettes is the same as with mechanical, but all actions are handled by an electronic system inside. The user only has to press a button to start aspiration, liquid dispensing or tip ejection. Electronic pipettes typically reduce human variance, improving accuracy and reproducibility.

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Automation pipettes: Automation pipettes are similar to electronic. The key difference is they are controlled by automation software and typically have mounting points for automation instead of handles for humans. 

Dispenser / positive displacement pipettes: Positive displacement pipettes rely on syringe-like consumables for aspiration and dispensing. Available in mechanical and electronic form. 

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Forward pipetting, often referred to as the standard pipetting technique, is a method used primarily for aqueous solutions. This technique involves aspirating and dispensing the target volume, followed by a separate blowout step. The blowout step ensures that the pipette tip is completely emptied by pushing the piston to the second stop.

Reverse pipetting is a specialized pipetting technique in which the pipette aspirates more than the selected volume. This includes an excess volume that remains in the pipette tip after dispensing and is then discarded. This technique is particularly useful when working with viscous or volatile liquids, or when precise measurement is critical. It helps reduce the risk of air bubbles and ensures a more accurate pipetting process.

Learn more about reverse pipetting, when to use it, and how to reverse pipette with a mechanical or electronic pipette. We are happy to assist you.

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In a laboratory context, a pipette is a tool designed for the precise handling and measurement of liquid volumes. This can refer to both electronic and mechanical pipettes (micropipettes). Conversely, a pipettor is a device that facilitates the aspiration and dispensing of liquid from a serological pipette. In essence, the pipettor acts as a control mechanism (or pipette-aid) for the serological pipette.