Equipping Students and Labs, Biology Laboratory Holds Basic Microscope Training

FMIPA UNS – Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Sebeleas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta held basic training on repair and maintenance of microscopes. This training was held in collaboration with PT Miconos, a company in the field of research-based laboratory instrumentation.

The training which was held on Friday (26/7/2019) was attended by students, laboratory assistants and also lecturers in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences related to the use of microscopes.

As stated by Vida Yuri Witanto from Miconos, that microscopes should be stored in a cool, dry and free of dust and fumes of acids and bases. Otherwise, the microscope will be easily damaged, especially the lens. The damage in question can be caused by dust, mold or immersion liquid.

According to Vida, storing the microscope in a humid or low light place can cause mold to grow. Even at a certain stage, the fungus can corrode.

“At a certain stage the fungus can damage the lens glass or corrosion, so that even though the fungus has been cleaned, the corrosion marks will still be there,” said Vida.

Lens damage due to fungus can be categorized into mild, moderate and severe damage. At the stage of severe damage, the fungus cannot be removed. At this stage, usually the age of the fungus is around one year. As for the mild damage stage, the fungus can still be cleaned, usually at this stage the fungus is only about one or two months old.

The event ended with the practice of repairing and maintaining and cleaning the microscopes in the biology laboratory.