Formulation is a routine laboratory procedure in which researchers weigh multiple components in a pre-determined ratio, often with strict tolerances. When I was asked to join the Mettler-Toledo team as an intern in 2011, the company was seeking to add value to their products by providing the best formulation experience available on the market. After mapping and analyzing the existing Formulation app, I built a functional prototype that eliminated setup time while adding more feedback about the formulation’s progress. I tested this wireframe with real users and presented a refined version to Mettler-Toledo engineers. At the same time, I pursued opportunities to increase formulation efficiency by simplifying the leveling process, minimizing draft shield interference, and tailoring consumable accessories to real work habits. One of the resulting consumables is now available as the SmartPrep™ weigh funnel.
