devices

The devices block catalogs every instrument or tool invoked during the protocol. It drives automation compatibility and ensures calibration data is captured alongside procedure steps.

Field Reference

Field	Type	Required	Units	Allowed Types	Constraints / Enum	Example
id	string	✅	-	string	Unique	"d_centrifuge"
name	string	✅	-	string	-	"Mini centrifuge"
kind	string	✅	-	enum	centrifuge, pipette, thermal_cycler, spectrophotometer, incubator, balance, shaker, robotic_arm, freezer, microscope, biosafety_cabinet, autoclave, liquid_handler, plate_reader, flow_cytometer, custom	"centrifuge"
description	string	conditional	-	string	Required if kind = "custom"	"Ultrasonic cleaner 40 kHz"
capabilities	map	conditional	-	object	Required if kind: custom & validation_mode: strict	{ frequency: { unit: "kHz", min: 30, max: 45 } }
manufacturer	string	optional	-	string	-	"Eppendorf"
model	string	optional	-	string	-	"5418R"
calibrated_at	date	optional	-	ISO 8601	-	"2025-01-10"

Optional additions such as serial_number, location, maintenance_schedule, attachments, or vendor-specific extension namespaces (automation_ext, microscopy_ext, etc.) can be used for richer integration.

kind Vocabulary

Kind	Description	Typical Equipment Example
centrifuge	Spinning device for separating components by density.	Eppendorf 5420
pipette	Liquid handling tool for transferring defined volumes.	Gilson PIPETMAN
thermal_cycler	PCR cycler controlling temperature cycles.	Bio-Rad C1000
spectrophotometer	Measures absorbance/transmittance across wavelengths.	Thermo Scientific NanoDrop
incubator	Maintains temperature (and often humidity/CO₂) for cultures.	Binder CB 160
balance	Analytical or precision scale.	METTLER TOLEDO XPR
shaker	Orbital/linear shaker or rocker platform.	Eppendorf Innova 2100
robotic_arm	Multi-axis arm for automation or sample handling.	Universal Robots UR5e
freezer	Cold storage (−20 °C, −80 °C, cryogenic).	Thermo TSX Series
microscope	Optical or fluorescence microscope.	ZEISS LSM 900
biosafety_cabinet	Containment enclosure for sterile/BSL operations.	Labconco Purifier Logic+
autoclave	Steam sterilizer for decontaminating equipment and media.	Tuttnauer EZ9
liquid_handler	Automated pipetting / deck platform.	Tecan Fluent
plate_reader	Multi-well plate detection (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence).	Molecular Devices SpectraMax
flow_cytometer	Measures cell populations using lasers and detectors.	BD FACSCelesta
custom	Any instrument not covered above; requires descriptive capabilities for validation.	Custom-built imaging rig

Defining Capabilities for Custom Devices

• Provide quantitative ranges with units (frequency, volume_capacity, temperature_range, etc.).
• Use arrays of strings for discrete functions (functions: ["wash", "sterilize"]).
• Include maintenance metadata when performance drifts over time (e.g., last_service, calibration_certificate via attachments).

Best Practices

• Ensure id matches what appears in steps[].use and avoid spaces or uppercase letters (d_incubator_a).
• Record calibrated_at in ISO 8601 (2025-01-10); pair with attachments referencing calibration certificates.
• Document device placement (location: "Room B, Bench 3") so technicians know which hardware matches the identifier.
• When multiple devices share a kind, use descriptive name patterns and include serial_number or asset_tag.
• Offload complex vendor schemas into extensions to keep the core section manageable.

Validation Notes

• Validators enforce the controlled kind vocabulary; unknown terms raise schema errors.
• In strict mode, custom devices must declare capabilities to describe measurable performance envelopes.
• Cross-references ensure every use value in steps maps to a declared devices.id, preventing orphan references.

Additional Reading

• devices Field Details
• Behavioral Extensions