`materials`¶

The materials array enumerates all consumables, reagents, and samples referenced throughout steps. Each entry becomes an addressable resource for procedural actions.

Field Reference¶

Field	Type	Required	Units	Allowed Types	Constraints / Enum	Example
`id`	string	✅	-	string	Unique per file	`"m_buffer"`
`name`	string	✅	-	string	-	`"Lysis buffer"`
`purity`	number	optional	%	float	0–100	`99`
`concentration`	number	optional	mM, µM, mg/mL, mol/L	float	≥0	`10`
`storage_temperature`	number	optional	°C	float	−196–200	`-20`
`hazards`	list	optional	-	array[string]	Controlled vocabulary (`"flammable"`, …)	`["toxic"]`

Additional metadata such as lot, catalog_number, supplier, barcode, storage_conditions, or attachments can be included for richer traceability even though they are not mandated by the core schema.

Units and Quantities¶

Always pair numeric values with explicit units; omit qualitative words like "ambient".
When a property requires both magnitude and unit, use either:
Separate numeric + unit keys (as shown for concentration + concentration_unit in the specification example), or
Structured objects:
yaml concentration: value: 10 unit: "mM"
Temperature limits should stay within the validator range (−196 °C for liquid nitrogen to 200 °C for sterilization settings).

Hazard Vocabulary¶

Use standardized terminology to improve cross-lab safety integrations. Suggested values include:

Hazard Tag	Meaning / Example Source
`"flammable"`	Highly flammable; reference GHS H225
`"toxic"`	Acute toxicity; cross-check supplier Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
`"corrosive"`	Causes severe skin burns; typically requires acid/base handling PPE.
`"biohazard"`	Infectious agents or biological waste.
`"oxidizer"`	Strong oxidizing agent; store separately from organics.
`"cryogenic"`	Extremely cold materials; mandates face shield and gloves.

Best Practices¶

Keep id values short, lowercase, and descriptive (m_buffer, m_cells). Mirror your LIMS or inventory system to ease integration.
Capture supplier details (supplier, catalog_number, lot) even if optional; they simplify reordering and audits.
Create dedicated attachments for certificates of analysis or SDS documents and cross-reference them from attachments.
Use hazards and optional safety_class/safety_notes to align with institutional risk assessments.

Validation Notes¶

Every ID referenced in steps[].with must already exist in materials; missing references trigger R-class integrity errors.
Validators enforce numeric ranges (e.g., purity must fall within 0–100). Out-of-range values raise Q-class quantitative errors.
Units must be SI-derived or part of the validator’s approved unit registry. Spell out prefixes (µL, mg/mL) exactly.

materials¶