Automation and Screening

Paper lab notebooks (PLNs) have long been the mainstay for scientists to record their work, and it is only within the past decade or so that the market for electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) has expanded. However, even with more than 30 ELNs available today,1 most research laboratories continue to use paper notebooks. As of 2008, about 33 % of biopharmaceutical companies reported at least one installa-tion of an ELN,2 and a mere 5 % of nonprofit laboratories (government and academic labs) were estimated to use these electronic methods.2 Factors that contribute to continued use of the PLN include familiarity,3 ease of use, portability, and the ability to easily paste items or freehand directly into a notebook. Nevertheless, PLNs are space consuming, susceptible to physical damage, and can be impossible to comprehend du