Autoclaving
Autoclaving is a sterilisation method that uses high-pressure steam. The autoclaving process works by the concept that the boiling point of water (or steam) increases when it is under pressure[1].
History
The name Autoclave comes from the Greek "auto" ultimately meaning self and the Latin term "clavis" meaning key, thus a self locking device[1]. The first autoclave was essentially a pressure cooker and was originally invented as a method for preparing food by French physician Denis Papin around 1681. He called his invention a "steam digester" and described benefits of using the device to process food for easier digestion[1].
The autoclave was re-invented for medical and scientific use by Charles Chamberland in 1879. Chamberland was a microbiologist who worked with Louis Pasteur[1].
References
<ref> />