The Art and Science of Glassblowing at SUERC

This fascinating video explores the vital role of scientific glassblowing in modern research, highlighting its impact on groundbreaking discoveries across medicine, environmental science, geology, and beyond. Viewers will gain insight into how custom-made glassware supports complex sample preparation for mass spectrometry, vacuum systems, and isotope analysis—many of which are only possible thanks to the precision and skill of expert glassblowers.

By watching, learners will:

• Understand the importance of glass types (quartz vs. borosilicate) and how their properties affect laboratory applications.
• See how bespoke glass components are designed and manufactured for use in cutting-edge scientific equipment.
• Discover the advantages of glass over steel in laboratory setups, especially for flexibility and maintenance.
• Learn how glassblowers at SUERC collaborate with scientists to develop experimental setups and ensure long-term instrument functionality.
• Appreciate the historical and modern significance of the Toepler pump and cryogenic techniques used to separate gases.
• Explore the career path of scientific glassblowing—an endangered but essential profession—and how its future depends on skills transfer and new training opportunities.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply curious, this video offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and science that make high-precision research possible.