Scientific Glassblowing

Scientific laboratories across The University of Queensland are filled with interesting and delicate devices, each with its own purpose, but where do they come from and how are they made?

Despite many industries losing their way to mass production, the beakers, test tubes and countless custom-made contraptions are still hand-made on campus.

Robin Berlyn has been blowing
scientific glass for almost 40 years

"You never really master it. You think you have, but there is always a new material or new technique."

Robin Berlyn
The glass has to be heated to around 2000°C for it to be manipulated.
"But it's only dangerous if you don't follow protocol."