Isolaat

Isolaat is a term used in several languages with different but related meanings centered on separation or protection from transfer. Its exact sense depends on the field and regional usage.

In construction and materials science, isolaat often refers to an insulating material or product. Such isolaats are designed to reduce heat flow or dampen sound in buildings and piping systems. Common examples include mineral wool, foam plastics, and fiberglass. The broader term for these materials in Dutch is isolatiemateriaal, while isolaat may appear in compound terms describing specific insulation products or layers.

In electrical engineering, isolaat can denote components or arrangements that provide electrical isolation, preventing current or voltage from crossing between circuits. This can include insulating sleeves, coatings, or devices that ensure galvanic separation, such as transformers or optoisolators. The concept focuses on safety and signal integrity by preventing unwanted conduction.

In microbiology and related biosciences, isolaat (often spelled isolaat or isolat in Dutch and Indonesian usage) refers to a pure culture obtained from a single organism or a single colony. An isolaat is used for accurate identification, characterization, and testing. The term is widely used in diagnostic microbiology, microbial taxonomy, and pharmaceutical research.

Etymology traces isolaat to Latin isolare, meaning to separate, with adaptations through French and Dutch usage. Because the term spans disciplines, the precise definition should be guided by the context: insulation materials, electrical isolation, or a microbial pure culture. See also insulation, isolator, and isolate (general).