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Remembering the Fallen

Writer's picture: SamSam

It is said that 90% of research is spent waiting for instrumentation to work. While I tend to be skeptical of any value reported without uncertainty, I have found this academic proverb to hold true. Through no apparent fault of my own, every instrument that I have operated or used through collaborators has broken down at least once during or prior to scheduled analyses. Initially, I found this to be quite irritating, but after the 4th or 5th incident, I began to find it humorous, speculating that perhaps my bad luck was due in part to some nefarious magic cast by academic rivals or perhaps electromagnetic interference between my own aura and sensitive analytical instrumentation. However, after the technician was called in for the 9th malfunctioning instrument, my predominant feeling was that of anxiety. As I progress through my degree plan, the time available for analyses begins to diminish rather rapidly, and although I have made significant progress in my projects (first papers to be written this year!), I find that my academic schedule is less and less flexible. So, in some vain attempt to appeal to the Deus ex Machina of analytical instrumentation, I have put together this slideshow in remembrance of

the instruments who pushed themselves beyond their limits to bring us greater knowledge. Your sacrifices will not be forgotten, and your value will not be lost. [This slideshow is best experienced while listening to Sarah McLachlin's "In the Arms of an Angel."]

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