Plant Systematics Laboratory has been very resilient and adaptive through the years. Gradually it acquires relevant equipment needed to do important investigations during critical times. During the digital era we started acquiring herbarium scanner to digitize herbarium collections, digital photomicroscope, field microscope with eyepiece camera essential for immediate specimen documentation, etc. Hence as we enter into the Era of Society 5.0 where artificial intelligence will be the norm, we are optimistic, that the Plant Systematics Laboratory can easily adapt and sustain the legacy left by EB Copeland and other predecessors.
Digital Herbarium Scanner.
The ObjectScan 1600 model operates with an on-top scanning mechanism, which assures seamless morphological incorporation of the specimen during image acquisition. This method eliminates any permanent hazards commonly associated with conventional scans performed in a vertical or up-side-down position.
Drying Oven.
A constant temperature drying oven is a versatile piece of equipment commonly used in laboratories, research institutions, and academic settings. It is primarily utilized for a variety of tasks, including drying, curing, and disinfection, and other applications. Oven drying a plant specimen is done to remove moisture, which preserves the specimen by preventing decay and mold growth. It also ensures accurate analysis by standardizing the specimen for consistent results, particularly when weighing for biomass or nutrient content. Additionally, drying prepares the specimen for long-term storage and further processing, such as grinding for laboratory analysis.
Dissecting Microscope with PC.
Dissecting microscope facilitates an enhanced perspective of a plant specimen or sample during dissection, thereby allowing for thorough observation. Extended hours spent observing through the eyepieces of a dissecting microscope is often required when conducting dissections to ensure accurate and comprehensive analysis.
Fume Hood.
A fume hood is a ventilated compartment designed for the collection and elimination of gases, vapors, and fumes from collected plant specimens in operational space. The discharge system employs an exhaust fan located at the laboratory building’s apex that extracts air along with airborne pollutants through interconnected ducts before expelling them into the surrounding environment. This protects the botanists or researchers from inhaling any potentially harmful substances present in the air during plant specimen collection and analysis.
Biological Microscope CX23
The Biological Microscope CX23 have 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100X magnifications. It also has plan achromat objectives that preserve outstanding image flatness throughout the field of view. It is an important upgrade to the Plant Biodiversity Laboratory (C-326) and the Plant Biodiversity Division Herbarium (C-328) of the Institute of Biological Sciences.
Digital Eyepiece Camera
The first eyepiece with the high quality Edge Series class optics and high-resolution sensor, the 5MP Dino-Eye Edge Series AM7025X offers remarkable image performance while providing a relatively larger field of view than its predecessors. The AM7025X design and included adapters allows for fitment within 23mm, 30mm, 30.5mm or c-mount eyepiece slots which can be fixed into ideal focal positions. With fine color reproducibility, the AM7025X is capable of capturing the finest details of a microscope’s view for a wide range of professional applications. (Source: dinolite.us)
Quadcopter Drone
The laboratory’s DJI Tello drone, is a quadcopter equipped with advanced features such as a 5 MP camera and VR headset compatibility. With its intuitive controls that can be accessed through mobile devices, it offers first-person views of aerial landscapes. Its impressive flight technology enables stable flying for up to 13 minutes while providing high-quality image processing capabilities for excellent photographs. It proves to be highly functional in surveying remote areas and forests. Experience breathtaking bird’s-eye views simply by launching this drone into the air!
Handheld GPS Device
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigation system that utilizes satellites in space to offer location and time data irrespective of weather conditions. As long as there exists an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites, the information can be obtained from near or on Earth’s surface. This technology proves instrumental for field botanists and foresters who undertake research activities or conservation efforts within remote regions. Garmin’s Montana 680 lasts around 16-22 hours with a built-in memory of 4 GB. It has a 65k color TFT Transflective LCD display, and dual orientation touchscreen.
Trail Camera
The Plant Systematics Laboratory’s Browning Trail Cameras assist researchers and students in capturing superior photographs of wild flora and fauna on field study sites. The Dark Ops Full HD cameras from Browning boast an upgraded image processor, producing exceptional 1080p Full HD videos. It also features the all-new Radiant 4 Night IR Illumination in a wavelength invisible to animals and humans, making it ideal for camera-shy wild animals. Lightning-fast adjustable trigger speeds range between 0.135-0.7 seconds while customized IR illumination with Long Range and Economy modes allows use in open fields or forested areas. The battery meter is compatible with Alkaline, Rechargeable and Lithium batteries providing ease of use anytime anywhere!
UPLB Plant Systematics Laboratory 