VR Micropipette Training System
VR Micropipette Training System
A custom-engineered haptic pipette controller paired with VR headsets, designed to teach life-science students the precise technique of micropipetting — transforming a high-stakes, error-prone lab skill into an immersive, repeatable training experience.
The Challenge
Micropipetting is one of the most fundamental techniques in life science — yet mastering it requires hours of supervised practice with expensive reagents. Students often develop poor habits that compromise experimental results, and lab time for hands-on training is tightly constrained.
Dr Silke Donahue, Senior Teaching Fellow in the School of Medicine, identified an opportunity: what if students could practise the physical technique of pipetting in a VR environment before ever touching a real instrument?
The Solution
Working with Ori Blich — an engineering student who later continued the work as a freelance engineer — the team developed a custom haptic pipette controller, a physical device engineered to replicate the weight, resistance and feel of a real micropipette. The Digital Media Lab (DML) developed the bespoke VR scenario environment, pairing the haptic controller with immersive VR headsets.
The system places students inside a virtual laboratory where they can practise sample transfer, volume setting and tip changing, receiving immediate visual and haptic feedback. The scenario was designed with a narrative storyline to keep engagement high.
Project Journey
Dr Donahue connects with Adrian Cowell (Innovation Lead) and Ori Blich. The VR micropipette idea takes shape and the team submits a bid to the College Digital Innovation Fund.
The College Teaching and Learning Strategy (Digital Innovation Fund) award is confirmed. Hardware engineering and VR scenario development begin. The team refines the storyline and haptic controller design.
VR scenario storyline and visual assets finalised. Micropipette cross-section visuals integrated into the simulation. 20 haptic controller units produced and tested.
Live sessions delivered with approximately 30 students in RCS1.11. Dr Richard Palermo leads delivery using all 20 headsets and haptic controllers on 12th and 14th November. Student response is highly positive.
A UK patent application is filed through Imperial Innovations (Case 12013, ref 138549GB1). The project is presented at the Bett education technology conference in London, generating significant interest from the sector.
Cardiff Metropolitan University explores adoption. Imperial Chemistry faculty and DML request 40 units for expanded deployment. Ongoing teaching sessions continue at the ICTEM building, SL Lab.
Project Team
Senior Teaching Fellow (non-clinical), School of Medicine, Hammersmith Campus. Conceived the original idea, secured funding, and led the pedagogical design and delivery throughout.
Digital Media Lab (DML). Designed and built the custom haptic micropipette controller hardware and developed the bespoke VR simulation environment.
Teaching Fellow, BSc Medical Biosciences, Faculty Education Office (Medicine). Led the live teaching sessions and student experience delivery at ICTEM and RCS1.
Faculty of Medicine Innovation Lead. Facilitated the initial team connections, guided strategic development, and supported IP and commercialisation pathways.
Impact and Outputs
UK Patent Application filed January 2025 through Imperial Innovations (Case 12013, ref 138549GB1). The novel haptic controller design is a unique contribution to VR-based laboratory skills training.
Enables unlimited, cost-free repetition of a critical lab skill. Students practise before ever handling real equipment, reducing reagent waste and improving safety and confidence in the lab.
Presented at Bett (London, 2025). Interest from Cardiff Metropolitan University and internally from Imperial Chemistry and DML, with requests for up to 40 units for broader deployment.