Laboratory 173351 224566297 2008-07-09T13:12:35Z ClueBot 4928500 Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/68.118.158.141|68.118.158.141]] to version by Lightbot. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (435946) (Bot) {{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}} [[Image:M Faraday Lab H Moore.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Michael Faraday]], 19th century [[physicist]] and [[chemist]], in his lab.]] [[Image:Lab bench.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Biochemistry]] laboratory at the [[University of Cologne]].]] [[Image:Aps linear accelerator.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Advanced Photon Source]] [[linear accelerator]] at [[Argonne National Laboratory]].]] A '''laboratory''' (informally, '''lab''') is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which [[science|scientific]] [[research]], [[experiment]]s, and [[measurement]] may be performed. The title of ''laboratory'' is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories. These notably include: * the [[film laboratory]] or [[darkroom]] * the [[computer lab]] * the [[medical laboratory|medical lab]] * the [[Clandestine chemistry|clandestine lab]] for the production of [[illegal drug]]s Scientific laboratories can be found in [[school]]s and [[university|universities]], in [[industry]], in [[government]] or [[military]] facilities, and even aboard [[ship]]s and [[spacecraft]]. A laboratory might offer work space for just one to more than thirty researchers depending on its size and purpose. ==Characteristics of scientific laboratories== Labs used for scientific [[research]] take many forms because of the differing requirements of specialists in the various fields of science. A [[physics]] lab might contain a [[particle accelerator]] or [[vacuum]] chamber, while a [[metallurgy]] lab could have apparatus for [[casting]] or [[refining]] metals or for testing their [[strength of materials|strength]]. A [[chemistry|chemist]] or [[biology|biologist]] might use a [[wet laboratory]], while a [[psychology|psychologist's]] or [[economics|economist's]] lab might be a room with one-way mirrors and hidden cameras in which to observe behavior. In some laboratories, such as those commonly used by [[computer scientist]]s, [[computer]]s (sometimes [[supercomputer]]s) are used for either [[computer simulation|simulations]] or the [[data analysis|analysis]] of [[data]] collected elsewhere. Scientists in other fields will use still other types of laboratories. Despite the great differences among laboratories, some features are common. The use of [[workbench]]es or [[countertop]]s at which the scientist may choose to either sit or stand is a common way to ensure comfortable working conditions for the researcher, who may spend a large portion of his or her working day in the laboratory. The provision of [[Cabinet (furniture)|cabinets]] for the storage of [[laboratory equipment]] is quite common. It is traditional for a scientist to record an experiment's progress in a [[laboratory notebook]], but modern labs almost always contain at least one computer workstation for data collection and analysis. ==Lab safety== In some laboratories, the conditions are no more dangerous than in any other room. In many labs, though, hazards are present. Laboratory hazards are as varied as the subjects of study in laboratories, and might include [[poison]]s; [[infectious agent]]s; [[flammable]], [[explosive]], or [[radioactive]] materials; moving [[machinery]]; extreme [[temperatures]]; strong [[magnetic field]]s or [[high voltage]]. In laboratories where dangerous conditions might exist, [[safety]] precautions are important. Rules exist to minimize the individual's risk, and [[safety equipment]] is used to protect the lab user from injury or to assist in responding to an [[emergency]]. ==See also== * [[Contamination control]] * [[Fermi Lab]] * [[Food and Brand Lab]] * [[ISO 17025]] * [[Lab website]] * [[Lean Laboratory]] * [[ARUP Laboratories]] == External links == {{Wiktionary}} {{commons|Laboratory|Laboratory}} * [http://www.fnal.gov fnal.gov] - Fermilab * [http://www.foodpsychology.cornell.edu Cornell University] - Food and Brand Lab [[Category:Laboratories]] [[af:Laboratorium]] [[ar:مختبر]] [[ast:Llaboratoriu]] [[bg:Лаборатория]] [[ca:Laboratori]] [[cs:Laboratoř]] [[da:Laboratorium]] [[de:Labor]] [[es:Laboratorio]] [[eo:Laboratorio]] [[fr:Laboratoire de recherche]] [[gd:Deuchainnlann]] [[gl:Laboratorio]] [[id:Laboratorium]] [[it:Laboratorio]] [[he:מעבדה]] [[lt:Laboratorija]] [[nl:Laboratorium]] [[ja:研究室]] [[pl:Laboratorium]] [[pt:Laboratório]] [[ru:Лаборатория]] [[simple:Laboratory]] [[sl:Laboratorij]] [[sr:Лабораторија]] [[fi:Laboratorio]] [[sv:Laboratorium]] [[ta:ஆய்வுகூடம்]] [[zh:實驗室]]