October 1, 2012 (Vol. 32, No. 17)

URL:
http://bit.ly/OXlJR5

Rating:
Strong Points: Can customize recipes to specific temperatures, etc.
Weak Points: Limited to a predefined list of buffers

Platform:
iPad/iPhone

Cost:
$1.99

Summary:

Well, the name of this app certainly leaves no ambiguity to its purpose. Yes, you guessed it—it calculates buffer recipes! Users select a buffer from a predefined list that includes many common buffers such as HEPES and Tris, and which also includes the pKa values for each buffer. (There is the option to sort the list by pKa, which could be used to identify a suitable buffer for a particular application.) Next, the user specifies the desired pH, concentration, volume, and the temperature at which the solution will be used. (An error message appears if the user selects a pH that is outside of the effective range of the buffer at the given temperature and concentration.) The recipe, which is displayed below, automatically updates as variables are changed. The recipe display also mentions how the pH of the buffer will change with temperature.

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