A multimillion-dollar upgrade of three University of Otago chemistry laboratories will bolster student and visitor numbers to the department, head of chemistry department Lyall Hanton says.
The newly opened biophysical, laser and centre for trace element analysis laboratories in the Science 1 building are the first areas in the $56million long term Science Precinct project to be completed.
A spokeswoman for the university said the laboratories cost about $4.5million, including a $2million equipment upgrade.
Chemistry professor Keith Gordon said the new facilities included deconstructed machines which were more flexible in terms of the experiments they could be used for and also cheaper to purchase.
One new experiment was a 10 nanosecond laser pulse experiment which had the ability to rupture an exposed retina, he said. The experiment would be conducted in a new high security lab.
Before the revamp, hazardous experiments were carried out in the same room as low risk experiments forcing low risk activity to stop while they were conducted, Prof Gordon said.
Experiments conducted in the new biophysical lab would benefit Fonterra and the meat industry, he said.
Other new features of the labs included an alert system which would notify Campus Watch when an emergency shower was activated, vinyl ceilings and separate gown up areas.
Chemistry department head Lyall Hanton said the three-lab upgrade would act as an example for the broader science precinct project.
"We have had the power go off once or twice, which is not a good thing when you have a multimillion-dollar facility.
"But we are very pleased with the outcome and everyone thinks it is amazing.''
The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2018.
