New App Optimises Laboratory Safety

Another particularly interesting feature: Anyone who wants to can check the efficiency of their logistical and procurement processes by accessing the corresponding parameters. For this purpose, the system offers the option to link directly to material management systems via various interfaces.

Additional Information

Storage of lithium-ion batteries

Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine daily life without lithium-ion batteries — whether they are permanently installed in smartphones or as replaceable rechargeable batteries in electrically operated tools. However, they are also the source of specific dangers. For example, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can quickly self-ignite and give rise to fire incidents together with very fast spreading fire. A most recent example of this was an accident at Technical University in Darmstadt/Germany on July 16, 2018, in which two students were injured. Although there are currently no legal regulations governing the storage of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the “Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft” (German Insurance Association) has issued an information sheet recommending special measures. For example, working materials are not adequately protected from external thermal influences in conventional storage cabinets. The Battery XL safety storage cabinet is built specifically to meet the strict requirements for the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries. Self-closing and locking doors offer protection against backdrafts from the inside. Door closing is initiated automatically by separate thermocouples, and the doors can then only be opened again by authorised experts. The Cabi2Net and Smart Control solutions can also be implemented via temperature probes to detect thermal events in the cabinet interior.

Augmented Reality function for real time tracking

Düperthal has even explored the topic of virtual reality. The real safety storage cabinet can be linked to the virtual representation of pertinent process information on the smartphone or tablet. With the Quick Scan function, all current and saved process data can be retrieved in real time and appears directly on the safety storage cabinet in the virtual space. Digital planning data can be compared with available actual information efficiently and in real time — intervention in ongoing processes is possible at any time.

Details of the installation location and possible special features or maintenance intervals can be retrieved directly. Links like this provide a real benefit on the basis of Industry 4.0 applications and enable the creation of further added value from hazardous substance storage with regard to production efficiency.

But Düperthal is not just a pioneer of the digital transformation of hazardous substance management in the laboratory. With the new Battery XL line, the company has developed a cabinet which is designed especially for the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries. Because lithium-ion batteries are subject to strict requirements, as they may self-ignite in case of malfunctions (see LAB info box). On this subject, hazardous materials expert Völk says: “Many users are completely unaware of the dangers associated with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.”

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