There are several instruments used in the field of biotechnology. The microscope is used to observe minute objects that would otherwise not be seen by the naked eye.There are four types of microscopes; compound, dissection, scanning electron microscope and Transmission Electronic Microscope. The first two microscope types use light for illumination while the latter two use electron beams. Luminometer is an instrument used to instrument to measure the strength of a stimulus that brings about a reflex in a tendon muscle. Another instrument widely used in biotechnology is the Shaking Incubator. This instrument is used in cell culturing, microbiology and increasing solubility rates among other uses.
Electrical instruments are used to measure certain parameters of electricity such as current, voltage and resistance. Current in the laboratory is measured by the help of an ammeter using the units of amperes. The ammeter is of low resistance and hence in a circuit, it is connected in series. Voltage is measured by the help of a voltmeter in units of volts. Since the voltmeter is of high resistance, it is connected in parallel within the circuit. The ohmmeter is an instrument employed to measure resistance within a circuit. The units for measuring resistance are the ohms.
In the laboratory, there are some distances which are too small to be taken accurately by the use of the conventional way such as using a ruler. Some instruments of higher precision are employed to curb this problem. One of this instruments is the vernier calipers, used to measure both internal and external distances with high accuracy. There are two types of vernier calipers; the manual type and the digital type. The manual type has both an imperial and a metric scale. Micrometer screw gauge is yet another instrument used, and has a higher degree of accuracy. The instrument is so accurate and efficient it can measure the diameter of a thin strip of wire. It comprises of a U-shaped outline fitted with a spindle I attached to a thimble that rotates.
The major instrument used in the field of civil engineering is the tensile testing machine. This instrument is used to test the tensile strength of metals to be used for columns, beams or truss purposes. The instrument is incorporated with a screen that plots graphs of various tensile forces applied within the metal and a print out feature which produces graphs and reports on hard copy.