Introduction

A micropipette is a common but essential laboratory instrument used to accurately and precisely transfer very small volumes of liquid in the microliter range.

Types of Micropipettes
Commonly used types include:

Air Displacement Micropipettes

Positive Displacement Micropipettes

Parts of a Micropipette
Key components include the Plunger button, Tip ejector button, Volume adjustment knob, Digital display window, and the Tip cone.

Operating Techniques
Forward Pipetting: Used for standard aqueous solutions.

Press the plunger to the first stop.

Immerse the tip and release the plunger slowly.

Dispense by pressing to the first stop, then the second stop to blow out remaining liquid.

Reverse Pipetting: Recommended for viscous or volatile liquids.

Press the plunger to the second stop.

Aspirate the liquid.

Dispense by pressing only to the first stop, leaving a small amount of liquid in the tip.

Calibration and Maintenance
Calibration should be performed periodically (typically every 3 to 6 months) to ensure accuracy.

It is often performed gravimetrically by weighing dispensed distilled water on an analytical balance.

Daily maintenance includes cleaning the exterior with 70% ethanol and checking for air leaks or damaged tip cones.