Twist Tube
The test tube has remained the same shape for centuries. Now, researchers at Norwind-Cortez, an Ypsilanti, Mich.-based biotechnology firm, have patented a version with a shape they believe improves upon the familiar form.
The new tube looks like its traditional counterpart with a bend at the open end. This and a flat side allow the vessel to rest horizontally without a rack. According to Norwind-Cortez president Milt Jackson, the bent tube reduces the risk of contamination, allows for more contact with air for cell culture experiments, and heats and cools more quickly. Licensing negotiations are under way.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Why China is still obsessed with disinfecting everything
Most public health bodies dealing with covid have long since moved on from the idea of surface transmission. China’s didn’t—and that helps it control the narrative about the disease’s origins and danger.
Anti-aging drugs are being tested as a way to treat covid
Drugs that rejuvenate our immune systems and make us biologically younger could help protect us from the disease’s worst effects.
These materials were meant to revolutionize the solar industry. Why hasn’t it happened?
Perovskites are promising, but real-world conditions have held them back.
A quick guide to the most important AI law you’ve never heard of
The European Union is planning new legislation aimed at curbing the worst harms associated with artificial intelligence.
Stay connected
Illustration by Rose WongGet the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.