Packed and tested columns represent thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands of dollars, in sunk costs: costs to buy the resins and glass hardware plus time to pack and test the columns. That’s why columns are always stored securely upright against a robust frame to avoid risk of damage…right? 

 

Not really.

 

Despite their value columns are often stored on rickety stands made for undergraduate chemistry labs. Or columns are stowed horizontally in drawers where they can roll into each other. Good news, now there’s a better way.