Instant Notes: Analytical Chemistry

Section H – Sensors, automation and computing

H2 AUTOMATED PROCEDURES

Automation The partial or complete automation of analytical procedures offers significant
advantages in cost savings and increased sample throughput for busy laborato-
ries. Personnel can be released for more demanding work, and the elimination
of human error in repetitive operations leads to improved precision and accu-
racy. The handling of toxic or radioactive samples by remote control, the use of
laboratory robots and computer-controlled operations are all important features
of modern analytical laboratories. Automated analyses frequently make use of
chemical and biosensors (Topic H1).
Many and sometimes all of the practical steps in an analytical procedure can
be automated. These include:

● sample preparation by dissolution;

● addition of reagents, mixing, digestions, filtrations, dilutions;

● liquid or solid-phase extractions;

● titrations;

● setting and monitoring instrument parameters;

● presenting samples to instruments;

● chromatographic separations;

● spectrometric measurements;

● electrochemical, thermal or radioactivity measurements.

A schematic diagram of a potentiometric autotitrator is shown in Figure 1.

Laboratory robots Robots are programmable mechanical devices that are the central components
of laboratory work stations. They can be made to perform a variety of manipula-

Key Notes

The automation of some or all of the stages in an analytical procedure

provides a number of advantages for busy laboratories or where

hazardous samples are to be analysed. Automated sample processing and

instrument control with the aid of robots is increasingly commonplace.

Robots are mechanical devices capable of performing both simple

repetitive tasks and complex operations unattended. These include

weighing, dispensing reagents, dilutions, extractions, movement of

samples and instrument control.

Multiple samples and standards prepared for routine titrimetric,

chromatographic, spectrometric and other types of instrumental analysis

can be loaded into autosamplers that transfer them one at a time to the

instrument for analysis in a pre-determined sequence.

Related topics Chemical sensors and biosensors Computer control and data

(H1) collection (H3)

Automation

Laboratory robots

Autosamplers