An incubator is laboratory equipment that is designed to maintain a controlled environment with specific conditions of temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors to facilitate the growth of organisms or cells. Incubators are essential for many biological and medical applications, such as cell culture, microbiology, and molecular biology research.
Incubators come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the type of application and the size of the samples to be cultured. They typically consist of a chamber with shelves or racks for holding the samples, and a system for controlling temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. The temperature is usually controlled using a heating element, while humidity can be controlled using a water reservoir or a humidifier.
Most incubators also feature an observation window or a built-in camera to allow monitoring of the samples without disturbing them. Some advanced models come equipped with alarms to alert users of any fluctuations or deviations in environmental conditions that could affect sample growth.
Incubators can be classified based on the type of application and the temperature range they can maintain. For example, CO2 incubators are used for cell culture and maintain a controlled atmosphere of CO2 to regulate pH levels. On the other hand, refrigerated incubators are used for low-temperature applications, such as bacterial growth and preservation.
Overall, incubators are an essential tool in many scientific and medical fields, providing a controlled environment for the growth and study of biological samples.