The IBO Design Awards for Laboratory Equipment acknowledge distinctive, effective industrial designs of laboratory equipment, which is defined as a product that receives an electrical current, will last for at least 12 months and does not measure a sample characteristic. The industrial designs of this year’s three winners show a trend toward attractive products with simple yet striking color schemes and clean lines.

Gold Award

The 2012 IBO Gold Award for Laboratory Equipment Design goes to HTA’s HT3000A Series of GC autosamplers, which consists of the HT3100A autoinjector, HT3000A autosampler and HT3200A high-end autosampler. The autosamplers’ tower design replaces bulky, boxy systems, providing a fresh approach to a staid product category. LED illumination of the syringe area contributes an eye-catching blue glow on the tower’s front portion. A sliding drawer beneath the tower stores up to 209 2-mL sample vials out of view, saving space and further distinguishing the HT3000A series from the cluttered look of traditional GC autosamplers. The autosamplers’ rounded edges add to their friendly appearance.

The Series measures 280 x 570 x 320 mm (11.0 x 22.4 x 12.6 in). The products’ weights range from 6.4 kg (14.1 lb) to 9.2 kg (20.3 lb). The prices are €4,990–€9,000 ($6,480–$11,688 = €0.77 = $1). HTA worked with Rezzonico Design to develop the Series, which took about two years. “In our engineering process, manufacturing needs are accounted already in the earliest development phases in order to achieve a win-win scenario: matching engineering and marketing goals with manufacturing ones,” said HTA Sales and Marketing Manager Enrico Marchini.

Reduced analysis time, increased capacity and a smaller footprint were goals for the HT3200A’s design. “The biggest challenge we faced has been to match the goal of increasing sample capacity while reducing bench space occupation,” explained Dr. Marchini. Another priority was to make installation of the autosampler on different brands of GCs as seamless as possible. The HT3200A is compatible with more than 50 models of GC.

Silver Award

The 2012 IBO Silver Laboratory Equipment Design Award goes to Beckman Coulter’s Optima X Series of ultracentrifuges, which consists of the entry-level XE and the high-end XPN (see IBO 3/31/12). The ultracentrifuges measure 94 x 68.1 x 125.7 cm (37 x 26.8 x 49.5 in) and weigh 485 kg (1,068 lb).

The Series shakes up the traditional look of an ultracentrifuge by adding a swooping line and color contrast. The centrifuges’ intuitive touchscreen is prominently displayed so it can be seen from across the lab. The touchscreen can also be tilted for user preference and has large buttons that are easy to see and select. The centrifuges’ scalloped, light gray front panel highlights the chamber, adding a curved line that breaks up the static shape. The contrast between the panel and front of the Series X models, reminiscent of other Beckman Coulter centrifuges, makes for a sophisticated, modern design. The casing adds to a rugged appearance.

Bronze Award

KNF Neuberger’s SC950 vacuum pump system receives IBO’s 2012 Bronze Award for Laboratory Equipment Design. The system features a wireless remote control so it can be housed underneath the work surface, on a shelf or in a fume hood without a cable. The system’s clean lines and simple color scheme make for a modern appearance.

The SC950 measures 48.8 x 24.6 x 31.2 cm (19.2 x 9.7 x 12.3 in) and weighs 14.5 kg (32 lb). The list price is $9,987. The system is a crisp aluminum color, which gives off an air of sophistication and is balanced with a black top and bottom. Black and silver accents heighten the elegant appearance. The vertical lines on the system’s left side add to the streamlined appearance. The remote control features a large touchscreen and a single-knob control for ease of use. A carry handle that folds down adds to user convenience.