What's the easiest way to name my samples in DYNAMICS? - WKB319083

What's the easiest way to name my samples in DYNAMICS?

This guide will first address creating a unit-less User Defined Parameter designated "Identity" and then discuss using it for labeling sample measurements with a unique identifier in DYNAMICS 7. A name can automatically applied as a measurement is being taken (if defined ahead of time), or once an experiment is complete.  

For this guide "Identity" is only a name value with no additional information implied. Examples could be; "1, AAV6 1-April-2020 lot 2", "ProjectCode-3318", "PhilW_" etc...

NOTE: This is not the same as "Sample," which can include information about solvent, dn/dc, A2, conformation, viscosity, and refractive index. Setting up sample parameters is detailed on Pg. 76 of the DYNAMICS manual. 

Creating a User-Defined "Identity" Parameter

1) From the Experiment window navigate to 'User Defined' after expanding the Parameters menu. 

2) Click the 'New' button to begin creating the new parameter. /!\ NOTE: If "Identity" or another desired user defined parameter already exists you can simply select it from the drop down menu and click 'Add'. In the example image "Custom Value (M)" is visible in this menu.

3) In the New User Defined Value window, type "Identity" as the name of the new parameter.

4) Click 'OK'.

5) Click 'Save to Global' to make this parameter accessible in future experiments.

6) The new user defined "Identity" value will now be available to use in Plate Templates. Once a template is filled out the parameter can be used from Names menus (Parameters, Experiment Designer and Event Schedule). An easy way to build plate templates is to Export a blank template, fill it out in excel, and then re-import the template to DYNAMICS 7. For more detailed information on naming and Plate Templates please see TN2006C - Using Plate Templates in DYNAMICS.

Defining Identities Before an Experiment is Started

To save some time before measurements are run, you can define what the measurement names will be via the Experiment Designer.

1) On the 3rd window of Experiment Designer, 'Properties', the 'Label Measurements' section defines how DYNAMICS 7 names measurements as they are taken.

2) Click the ellipsis (…) to the right and a new window with all the possible parameters will open.

3) Pick values in the order desired for the measurement name, the newly created user defined "Identity" parameter will be available as well. Make sure to click 'insert' to register your selection in the name entry: For example you will need to click; Identity -> Insert -> DLS Temperature ->Insert -> Radius -> Insert... etc. Note that the plate template will need to be pre-loaded with well-specific information regarding 'Identity'.

4) Only once your name is built click "OK". The window will close and the naming will now take values from the plate template set for the experiment.

Renaming Samples After an Experiment is Complete

1) Go to 'Names' in 'Parameters'  
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2) Click 'Set Measurement Names' to open a list of measurements.

3) From the list of measurements select the ones you'd like to apply the names to. You can use Shift + click and Ctrl + click to make multiple selections.

4) Click the ellipses (…)  to open the Build Name window.

5) Pick desired values, in the order desired, for naming sample measurements by using the 'Insert' button for each value. The user defined "Identity" parameter will be available here if created in, or added into, the experiment. 

6) Once the name contains all the parameters that you'd like click 'OK'.