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Automated liquid handling: The key to accurate and reproducible results

May 20, 2024

Article

Liquid handling is one of the most important (yet tedious) tasks in the analytical laboratory. However, analytical results are only accurate and reproducible when using the correct volume of sample, solvent, reagent, titrant, or auxiliary solution. With each manually prepared sample or solution, the risk for falsified results rises. This blog article discusses the many advantages of automating liquid handling steps. 

What is automated liquid handling and what equipment is needed?

The main concept of liquid handling is to transport a solution or reagent completely, accurately, and precisely from one place to another. Contrary to manipulating liquids with e.g., graduated cylinders, glass burets, or pipets, automated liquid handling utilizes piston-driven burets to perform this job. 

A piston-driven buret from Metrohm consists of three major parts: the piston, cylinder, and dosing drive (Figure 1). Inside of the buret is a piston which is mounted in a cylinder. The piston is coupled to the spindle of a motorized dosing drive that moves the piston up and down within the cylinder. 

Illustrative cross-section of a piston-driven buret from Metrohm. Arrows indicate the three major parts: the piston, cylinder, and dosing drive.
Figure 1. Illustrative cross-section of a piston-driven buret from Metrohm.