laboratórium

Laboratórium, or laboratory, is a facility equipped for scientific research, experimentation, analysis, and quality control. Laboratories house controlled settings where researchers can observe phenomena, generate data, and test hypotheses. They exist in educational institutions, industry, healthcare, and government agencies, as well as in dedicated research centers and pilot production environments.

A laboratory may be specialized by field, such as chemical, biological, medical, physical, or environmental laboratories. Typical activities include sample preparation, measurement and data collection, experiment design, data analysis, and the development of new processes or products. Common tasks are chemical synthesis, microscopy, spectroscopy, chromatography, cell culture, and instrumentation maintenance.

Facilities are designed to support accuracy and safety. They typically include fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, clean rooms, temperature and humidity control, proper ventilation, power and data networks, and waste management systems. Safety protocols cover risk assessment, use of personal protective equipment, training, chemical handling, biological containment, and emergency procedures.

Regulatory and quality frameworks govern laboratory work. Medical and clinical labs may follow standards such as ISO 15189 or GLP, while testing and calibration labs often follow ISO/IEC 17025. National regulations address worker safety and waste disposal.

Historically, laboratories developed from private workshops and academic classrooms into dedicated spaces that house increasingly precise instruments, enabling modern science and industry. The term laboratórium is used in several European languages to denote such facilities.