The post How Can Questron’s Automation of Digestion Procedures Improve Innovation and Efficiency in Your Lab? appeared first on Questron.

However, with limited resources, increasing demand, and the constant pressure to produce results, there is a pressing need to find different ways to improve lab productivity. Figuring out the right processes, resources, and people management strategies is the most effective way to maximize efficiency, enhance scientific value, and minimize wasted time and energy. Here are a few other tips to increase productivity in your lab:

Promote an Organized Workplace

The first step to increasing productivity in the lab is to organize the workplace. Implementing a 5S program can give you a better idea about where you’re going to place unmovable equipment, frequently used tools, electronics, samples, and waste. This will help you eliminate waste and reduce the amount of time spent searching for tools, supplies, and information.

Improve Stock Management

Nothing can interfere with lab productivity more than finding out that you ran out of important materials in the middle of an experiment. This is why inventory management is a crucial part of working in a lab. You need to have a process in place to ensure that there is a constant supply of required items and that team members can find them easily when needed. A well-planned stock management system will also make sure that there is no waste.

There are many systems out there that allow you to keep track of materials and will update you when they’re out of stock or need to be reordered. Finding the right one for your lab can take some time, depending on your specific requirements.

Better Information Management

Apart from keeping track of your supplies, you also need to have a system in place to organize data and maintain daily records. One way to stay on top of things and avoid missing out on important data is to enter the information immediately after the experiment. Incorporating templates and protocols into your process will also make it easier to both input and recover the data when needed.

Automate Your Processes

If you notice that your lab is performing a lot of the same routine tasks, it might be time to consider investing in automation systems. This could especially come in handy with the ever-increasing need for more reproducible data. Automation technology allows you to streamline your resources and research practices, increase productivity, save time and money, and reduce the rate of errors. Moreover, the safety features in automation systems will ensure safer working conditions for your staff.

However, it might be difficult to figure out the level of automation your laboratory needs—this is where Questron Technologies Corp can help you! Our Vulcan Platform is a fully modular, automated digestion system that is capable of carrying out 6 fully automated features in any Lab Sample Digestion process. You can even build your own Vulcan by customizing the software to suit your laboratory’s unique requirements. If you’re unsure about where to start, our automation experts can work with you to understand the needs of your lab and help you determine your ideal Vulcan configuration.

Some of the areas Questron Technologies can help automate include reagent dispensing, heating and cooling, dilution, stirring, and aliquot transfer.

QPump and Syringe Drive

It can be hard to find a peristaltic pump that can pump high purity acids without getting destroyed by acidic gas. This is why we invented the QPump—a 1/16” peristaltic acid dispensing tube with an accuracy of ±0.1 mL or ±0.2 mL.

On the other hand, our Syringe Accurate delivery system is not only equipped with acid-resistant 3-way valves but can also independently deliver highly pure acid from one valve to another in a highly precise manner.

And the best part is that you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination with both of these systems since their independent tubing feature guarantees that reagents don’t come in contact with each other until the time of delivery.

Hot Block Digestion Modules

You can integrate any of our QBlocks into the Vulcan to control the block seamlessly. In addition, the Pneumatic tray life system will ensure the smooth transfer of the vials being inserted into the block to heat the samples or taken out to cool them.

Post Digestion Modules

There are a lot of monotonous, repetitive tasks involved in lab work like diluting, stirring, and transferring volume. The Vulcan can automate all of these processes, allowing your scientists to focus on the things that actually need expert attention. 

Vulcan is equipped with an ultrasonic, contactless sensor that lets it fill your digestion vials to the specified volume at an accuracy of ± 0.2 mL. It also uses probes to gently stir the vials for as long as required. After the Vulcan is done with all the necessary processes, all you need to do is move the standard test tube rack from the Vulcan to the analyzer.

Apart from Vulcan, we also offer another Automated Workstation called QPrep, an integrated solution that is capable of precise sample dilutions, transfers, and other liquid handling functions. It is designed to handle a large number of samples in multiple rack configurations. Moreover, it is especially useful when dealing with expensive and hazardous chemicals, improving the profitability and safety of the lab.

Flexible Software

Not only does Vulcan come with some excellent automation features, but its software is also extremely easy to use. With just a simple double click, you can define what needs to be done in every step. This way, you don’t have to make any changes to the SOP guidelines you were using before incorporating Vulcan into your process.

At Questron Technologies Corp., we understand the complexity of laboratory work and want to assist you in making your processes simpler and more efficient. Our chemists and mechatronic engineers are dedicated to developing customized automated sample preparation systems to match your unique needs. To learn more about our products, visit our website. If you have questions for us, feel free to call us at 1 844-363-1223 or contact us online. 

The post How to Increase Productivity in the Lab? appeared first on Questron.

However, this also means that you are responsible for running your laboratory to a high standard. Without this, your results, research, and analysis could fall short.

This is where sample prep can make a big difference. So how can you improve sample prep for your lab tests, and what lab equipment will you need for this? Read on to find out everything you need to know about improving your lab’s automated sample prep.

Why is Sample Prep So Important?

As the name suggests, sample prep involves preparing each of your samples before analysis. This provides you with a sample in form suitable for analytical instruments 

Of course, you also have to clean your samples without compromising them. If you manage this, you will find that you get more accurate results. 

This helps to improve the integrity and progress of your lab’s research or analysis. It can also help to protect your lab from the legal ramifications of inaccurate results.

Automating your lab preparation can also have huge benefits for your bottom line.

This will reduce the amount of sample waste in your lab. It also means that you need fewer employees working on your sample prep. That way, you can focus your resources where you really need them.

What Does Sample Prep Involve?

Once your samples arrive at the lab, there are several things you need to do before analyzing them. This includes: 

• Releasing and extracting the analyte from its sample matrix
• Removing any interfering species from the sample 
• Pre-concentrating the analyte levels to improve the detection limits (or) 
• Diluting the analyte to improve the detection limits
• Mineralise sample to increase solubility
• Ash sample to eliminate matrix around analyte
• Storing your samples correctly to prevent cross-contamination

You may also need to derivate the analyte to improve the detection sensitivity.

This means you have a lot of work to do before you can start testing your samples. Fortunately, you can now automate a lot of these processes using state-of-the-art sample prep equipment. This ensures that your samples are prepped properly and deliver accurate results. 

So let’s take a closer look at some of the best lab sample prep equipment around at the moment.

The Vulcan Open Vessel Automated Acid Digestion System 

When it comes to prepping lab tests, The Vulcan is a vital piece of tech. This equipment can handle six automated steps of lab sample digestion. You can even customize it with the help of our experts to suit your lab’s needs. 

The Vulcan features:

• A QPump – a peristaltic acid dispensing pump capable of dispensing 1.3 mL/s
• A syringe accurate delivery system that offers 0.05 mL accuracy
• Hot block digestion modules that provides heat up to 230 C 
• A pneumatic tray to lift your vials in an out of the block smoothly
• Contactless sensors for filling your vials post-digestion
• Probes that will stir and mix your samples for as long as you need 
• Transfer probes that will organize samples that are ready for analysis

The digestion system also helps you to prevent cross-contamination between samples. You can use whichever type of acid you choose within it.

The Vulcan system also comes with steps of software you can use to make lab work simpler. This software features three intuitive steps: 

1. Recipe creation 
2. Batch creation 
3. Digestion 

So you can set up the lab tests you need in no time at all. This piece of equipment will truly transform your lab.

It also helps to protect you and anyone else working in your lab. The Vulcan  handles a range of hazardous materials so that you don’t have to. If you are interested in improving the safety of your lab, then it is also worth checking out The Scrubber.

The QWave Microwave Digestion System

You can use The QWave to digest, extract, evaporate, and synthesize samples in your lab. The machine is equipped with: 

• Temperature and pressure monitoring for each vessel
• Safety features to protect your samples
• A rotating antenna and 360° carousel to guarantee uniform sample heating
• A corrosion-proof, PTFE-coated cavity that will stand the test of time
• Multiple configurations to suit every sample’s needs

You can use The QWave as an open or closed vessel microwave. This makes it an extremely versatile piece of equipment for any lab.

You can also develop and store unlimited digestion recipes in The QWave. So over time, you will seriously speed up your sample prep.

The QPrep Automated Dilution System

If you have to handle a large number of samples on a regular basis then The QPrep Automated Dilution System can help.

This system can hold a large number of samples in different rack configurations. It also: 

• Performs multiple dilutions quickly 
• Spikes your samples to meet internal standards
• Calibrates and prepares QC standards
• Manages serial dilutions and aliquot transfers
• Provides consistent and precise reagent addition

This can seriously help to speed up the prep process with guaranteed accuracy for a large number of samples processing..

Make Lab Testing Easier With Automated Sample Prep Equipment Today

There is no denying that sample prep is a vital step in any lab testing process. In fact, this can impact the validity of your entire test, so it is worth investing time and money in this process. 

Thankfully, automated sample prep equipment can improve the accuracy of your results and make your life easier. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Questron today to find out how our products can help you!

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