A Simple Means of Reclaiming Microliter Syringes Over-enthusiastic pumping of lo-@ GC syringes (either during injection or while cleaning with solvents) often causes the wire plunger to became bent and thus apt to "jm" in the barrel. Such syringes, otherwise ruined, can often he reclaimed bv the followine mocedure. Use a elass cutter to snap the barrel a t the 6-ULmark and smooth the cut end with abrasive ;loth or papery~insethe syringertaking care that ihe abrasive powder does not enter the barrel. Cheek that the the wire plunger can operate satisfactorily in the cut-down syringe and trim it (without bending) so that it is about 2 em longer than the barrel itself. Make a replacement plunger "handle" by puttinga wide-bore needle centrally dawn a small rubber stopper. Thread dawn the needle the appropriate length of plunger wire. Withdraw the needle so that the stopper grips the plunger wire. Rinse the barrel and plunger with a little ethanol to produce a perfectly serviceable replacement syringe, quite adequate for dispensing the usual 1-2 pL volumes used for GC analysis. Alan T. Dronsfield and David A. Parker University of Derby Derby, DE22 IGB, U.K.
964
Journal of Chemical Education
