Features

European researchers have developed a framework to boost the energy efficiency of CPU, GPU and FPGA resources, writes Robert Roe

Robert Roe takes a look at the strategies used by laboratory managers to make efficient use of cloud resources

This chapter looks at how to build a smart laboratory; what approaches to take; and how to deal with potential problems. Becoming ‘smart’ takes time, not only due to the level of investment required, but also because of the impact of change and the need to consider legacy requirements.

This chapter will look at the four major laboratory informatics tools – laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), laboratory execution systems (LES) and scientific data management systems (SDMS) – their differences and how they relate to each other. Each of these systems functions at or around the ‘Information’ layer (see Figure 1) and typically serves to collate data and information about the laboratory’s operations

This chapter will consider the different classes of instruments and computerised instrument systems to be found in laboratories and the role they play in computerised experiments and sample processing – and the steady progress towards all-electronic laboratories. 

However, the choice of best-of-breed laboratory instruments and instrument systems can present challenges when it comes to getting everything to work together in a seamless way. The final part of this chapter will look at the issue of standard data interchange formats, the extent of the challenge, and some of the initiatives to address them