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Most pipettes are optimized for room temperature liquids with properties similar to water. Thus, accurately pipetting viscous, high vapor pressure, low surface tension, hazardous, non-room temperature or foaming liquids requires careful adjustments. Each of these properties influences the optimal pipette type and technique for accurate and reproducible liquid handling.
Positive displacement pipettes are often the best choice for challenging liquids. These pipettes use a piston-capillary, which eliminates problems with air pressure and adherence of sticky liquids to tip walls. However, air displacement pipettes are often the only option available. In this case, “reverse pipetting” is an effective technique for accurate dispensing with air displacement pipettes. This poster provides details about different classes of liquids and recommendations for pipette selection and technique.
