Abstract: An incubator and shelf with integrated microscope and wireless transmitter comprises a shelf adapted for use inside an incubator; a microscope integrated into the shelf; and a wireless (such as Wi-Fi) transmitter that wirelessly transmits an image produced by the microscope. Embodiments may be powered by the incubator, and may have an inverted microscope that views an object from below.

Abstract: A spring operated swing out rotor system for a centrifuge includes a rotor with a rotor top and a rotor bay extending down from the rotor top, the rotor bay having a bay wall and a bay bottom; a carrier tray rotatably attached to a retaining element on the bay wall; and a compression-resistant element between the tray and the bay wall urging the tray to rotate away from the bay wall, so that when the rotor is at rest, the tray is maintained at a positive angle from vertical, and when the centrifuge spins the rotor, centrifugal force positions the tray at a vertical angle. The compression-resistant element may be a spring or soft foam.

Abstract: A magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker includes a base having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of flanges on the upper side of the base, each flange having an arm that extends away from the base and engages with the vessel so that the arms retain the vessel to the base; and a magnet on the lower side of the base that magnetically attaches the base to the platform, thereby releasably retaining the vessel to the platform. Each flange may be repositioned at a common distance from the center of the base to accommodate different sizes of vessel.

Abstract: A spring operated swing out rotor system for a centrifuge includes a rotor with a rotor top and a rotor bay extending down from the rotor top, the rotor bay having a bay wall and a bay bottom; a carrier tray rotatably attached to a retaining element on the bay wall; and a compression-resistant element between the tray and the bay wall urging the tray to rotate away from the bay wall, so that when the rotor is at rest, the tray is maintained at a positive angle from vertical, and when the centrifuge spins the rotor, centrifugal force positions the tray at a vertical angle. The compression-resistant element may be a spring or soft foam.

Abstract: A magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker includes a base having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of flanges on the upper side of the base, each flange having an arm that extends away from the base and engages with the vessel so that the arms retain the vessel to the base; and a magnet on the lower side of the base that magnetically attaches the base to the platform, thereby releasably retaining the vessel to the platform. Each flange may be repositioned at a common distance from the center of the base to accommodate different sizes of vessel.

Abstract: A magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker includes a base having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of flanges on the upper side of the base, each flange having an arm that extends away from the base and engages with the vessel so that the arms retain the vessel to the base; and a magnet on the lower side of the base that magnetically attaches the base to the platform, thereby releasably retaining the vessel to the platform. Each flange may be repositioned at a common distance from the center of the base to accommodate different sizes of vessel.

Abstract: A device for use with a heat source, a multi-well sample plate, and a plurality of samples includes a substantially solid block of thermally conductive material having a first side and a second side generally opposite the first side; a first array of apertures on the first side of the block that aligns with wells of a first portion of the sample plate; and a second array of apertures on the second side of the block; wherein, in a first mode, the first array of apertures retains and engages with the sample plate to conduct heat from the heat source to the plate, and in a second mode, the second array of apertures retains and engages with the samples to conduct heat from the heat source to the samples. Two blocks may be combined together to accommodate a standard 96 well plate.