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Most of us are at least somewhat aware of RFID – Radio Frequency Identification. This technology has been used for many years in our everyday lives in such applications as the pass mounted in your automobile to allow you to ‘zip’ through a toll, or your local library using RFID to track books. We see this technology in identification badges and in cards used to pay for trains and other forms of transportation. RFID is beginning to replace barcodes as a means of inventory control and tracking large numbers of animals in the world of lab animal science.
The University of Florida, which previously employed mobile barcode readers to scan cage numbers, is currently using an RFID system to track rodents. Managers of large vivaria are aware of the many issues of tracking large animal populations, and while numerous methods are available, RFID technology is worth a look.
This issue of the ALN Newsletter offers a look at three white papers written by Dynasys (www.dynasysanimalcare.com), a supplier of RFID products for the lab animal market. These papers will hopefully provide for you some introduction to the technology and its use in vivaria.
The University of Florida is currently using an RFID system for cage inventory. You can read more about this installation here.
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