Question

Do autoclaves kill everything?

Answer 1

Autoclave is a machine that works at high temperatures and high pressure. It helps in the process of sterilization of lab equipment which results in the killing of various microorganisms present in them and is used in industries and laboratories.

Complete answer:
The autoclaves are the machines that are used in the field of microbiology, biotechnology, medicines, etc. It is used for cleansing various labs or medical instruments by exposing them to high temperatures and pressure. The various lab equipment are put inside the autoclave and at a high steam pressure and temperature of about 121° C (or 250° C). They are kept for about 15 to 20 minutes according to the requirements of different instruments. Thus, it results in the killing of the bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
The instruments that can be sterilized include surgical instruments, glasswares, and medical wastes. They neutralize the infectious agents that may cause disease which requires pressured steam and water which is superheated. Similar to this autoclave a new type of generator has been launched which helps in the sterilization of those materials that can not undergo sterilization at high temperature and pressure. These materials include dresses, gloves, culture media, materials made up of rubber, etc. Autoclaves are also used in the chemical industries and also in the hardening of the rubber along with the formation of composites. These autoclaves are also at a very large scale in the aerospace industry for holding the aeroplane fuselage or in sailboats to hold up above the water. The other types of autoclaves used are in the growth of the synthetic quartz crystals at high temperature and pressure.

Note:
In 1879, Charles Chamberland was the first one to invent the autoclave machine. Although a similar machine was created in 1679 called steam digester by Denis Papin. The word autoclave is derived from both the Greek and the Latin word. The Greek word auto, means self while the Latin word clavis, means key. Thus the name completely means a self-locking device.