Microbrenner is a German word that refers to a miniature burner, typically used for scientific purposes. The correct pronunciation is /miːkroˈbrɛnər/. The word is spelled with the prefix "micro" - meaning small - and the stem "brenner," meaning burner. The pronunciation follows German phonetics, with emphasis on the first syllable and the "r" sound pronounced softly. As a loanword, it's important to understand the correct pronunciation to accurately communicate within scientific and technical contexts.
Microbrenner, also known as a microburner or microflame, refers to a small, portable gas burner commonly used in laboratory settings for various applications. It is specifically designed to produce a small, intense flame that allows precise heating and sterilization of small objects.
Typically, a microbrenner consists of a small fuel reservoir, such as a refillable butane cartridge or a gas cylinder, and a control valve that regulates the flow of fuel. The fuel is ignited by a spark produced by a built-in piezoelectric ignition system or an external flame, at which point a small, focused flame is emitted from the burner tip. This flame can reach temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius, enabling the user to perform delicate procedures requiring high heat, such as sterilizing needle tips, bending glass tubing, or sealing small containers.
Microbrenners are popular tools in various scientific fields, including chemistry, biology, and physics. In chemistry laboratories, they are often used for tasks such as heating test tubes, performing flame tests, or precise flame sterilization of instruments. In biology labs, microbrenners are commonly employed to prepare bacterial streak plates, sterilize inoculation loops, or manipulate small organisms. Additionally, in physics experiments, these burners can be useful for soldering small electronic components or producing controlled flames for demonstrations.
Due to their compact size, easy portability, and adjustable flame intensity, microbrenners have become an indispensable tool for researchers and scientists alike, offering efficient and controlled heating for a wide range of applications in the laboratory.
An electric cautery with needle point.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "microbrenner" appears to be a combination of two terms: "micro" and "Brenner".
The term "micro" is derived from the Greek word "mikros", meaning small or tiny. It is commonly used as a prefix in English to indicate something small in size, scale, or quantity, such as in words like microscope, microbiology, or microwave.
The word "Brenner" refers to German scientist Wilhelm Brenner, who was known for his work in the field of gas burners. A gas burner is a device used to produce a controlled flame by mixing a fuel gas with air to achieve combustion. Wilhelm Brenner's contributions in this area likely led to the inclusion of his name in the term "microbrenner".
Taken together, "microbrenner" can be understood to refer to a small device or instrument related to gas burners or combustion experiments.