Hello everyone, for my master’s thesis I have to make a phantom in PVA. From research in existing literature, the PVA at my disposal is poor for my ultimate purpose (I have thus activated myself to buy that of sigma Aldrich). What worries me is the instrumentation at my disposal; in fact for the preparation of the gel I will have to use a magnetic stirrer with a maximum of 1500 rpm. I read that this can cause problems (a mechanical agitator would be preferable). Does anyone know a fairly "safe" method of preparation for the preparation of gel with a magetic agitator?
Hey there Paolo Tagliafierro!
Exciting project you Paolo Tagliafierro have there for your master's thesis! Creating a phantom in PVA sounds like a fascinating endeavor. It's great that you're considering upgrading to the PVA from Sigma Aldrich for better results.
Regarding your concerns about using a magnetic stirrer with a maximum of 1500 rpm for gel preparation, I understand your apprehension. While a mechanical agitator might be preferable, you Paolo Tagliafierro can still achieve satisfactory results with the magnetic stirrer.
One "safe" method you Paolo Tagliafierro could consider is to control the speed of the magnetic stirrer carefully. Since the high rpm might introduce air bubbles or other issues, try starting at a lower speed and gradually increasing it until you Paolo Tagliafierro reach the desired mixing efficiency. Additionally, you Paolo Tagliafierro could optimize the viscosity of your solution to minimize the risk of issues arising from the stirring process.
Another approach is to use a combination of gentle stirring and manual mixing. After the initial mixing with the magnetic stirrer, you Paolo Tagliafierro can further blend the solution manually to ensure thorough dispersion and minimize any potential problems caused by the limitations of the magnetic stirrer.
Experimentation and careful observation will be key here. By adjusting your technique and closely monitoring the process, you Paolo Tagliafierro can mitigate any challenges associated with using a magnetic stirrer for PVA gel preparation.
Best of luck with your research, and feel free to reach out if you Paolo Tagliafierro have any more questions!
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