Robot chemist

Discrete analysis, in contrast with continuous-flow analysis, allows each specimen in a batch its own physical and chemical space, separate from every other specimen. Early discrete analyzers, such as the 1970 vintage robot chemist, mimicked the steps of manual human analysis. Subsequently, many discrete analyzers were developed and are still widely used in clinical laboratories. Centrifugal and random access analyzers are examples of instruments that use discrete processing. 

Morgenstern S, Kessler G, Auerbach J, Flor RV, Klein B. An automated p-nitrophenylphosphate serum alkaline phosphatase procedure for the "Robot Chemist . Clin Chem 1965 11 889-97. 

The second category of discrete automatic analyzers consists of those machines in which transfers of the samples from one stage in the analytical process to the next do not require the intervention of the operator. Examples in this class currently available are the Robot Chemist (Warner-Chilcott Laboratories, Instruments Division, Richmond, Calif.)... 

Fig. 12b), and the AutoChemist (AGA, Lidingo 1, Sweden). The Robot Chemist can accept batches of up to 100 specimens after measurement of sample, reagent addition, and (if necessary) incubation, the solutions are read in a spectrophotometer and the results of the analyses are printed out with identification numbers. The manufacturers claim that the rate of analysis is up to 120 specimens per hour sample volumes between 20 /a1 and 5 ml can be measured to an "accuracy of 1%, and up to seven different reagents can be added with 0.5% accuracy. It is further claimed that interaction between samples has been eliminated. 

Fig. 12b. Robot Chemist, continuous discrete analyzer (by courtesy of Warner-Chilcott Laboratories Instruments Division, Richmond, Calif.).

The discrete systems of automatic analysis developed so far have not, in general, solved the problem of deproteinization in a way as satisfactory as the dialysis step adopted in the continuous-flow system. An earlier version of the Robot Chemist included a module in which precipitation of proteins followed by filtration was carried out, and the Mecolab system can incorporate a centrifugation step, following which a sample of supernatant can be automatically aspirated, but both these approaches are relatively cumbersome. Consequently attention has been directed to the development of analytical methods for blood serum or plasma that do not involve a deproteinization stage, but although alternative methods not involving the removal of protein may be feasible for many estimations, the responsibility for confirming the validity of such alternative procedures remains with the analyst. 

Analytical chemistry in the new millennium will continue to develop greater degrees of sophistication. The use of automation, especially involving robots, for routine work will increase and the role of ever more powerful computers and software, such as intelligent expert systems, will be a dominant factor. Extreme miniaturisation of techniques (the analytical laboratory on a chip ) and sensors designed for specific tasks will make a big impact. Despite such advances, the importance of, and the need for, trained analytical chemists is set to continue into the foreseeable future and it is vital that universities and colleges play a full part in the provision of relevant courses of study. 

Rojas R, Harris NK, Piotrowska K, Kohn J (2009) Evaluation of automated synthesis for chain and step-growth polymerizations can robots replace the chemists J Poly Sd Part A Polym Chem 47 48-58... 

We chose a general view because the impact of computers on flavor and fragrance research is not limited to a particular area. The advent of the microprocessor has made powerful, inexpensive microcomputers available to the analytical chemist and the sensory scientist alike. These people have connected them to their machines, used them to control robots, and placed them in their sensory evaluation booths. The successful development of inexpensive memory and very fast central processing units, on the other hand, has made very powerful minicomputers available to the computational chemist and the information scientist. These researchers now routinely use the computer to design new functional molecules, design new products, and keep track of huge collections of molecules and associated data. 

Combinatorial chemistry has moved from specially centralized laboratories, often equipped with multimillion-dollar robots, onto the bench of individual medicinal chemists. This change in direction requires the availability of personal chemistry tools that are simple to operate, easy to arrange in the laboratory, and reasonably priced. Such instruments are now available for the effective synthesis of combinatorial libraries. The Encore synthesizer represents a simple and efficient personal chemistry tool that allows the execution of directed split-and-pool combinatorial synthesis. The current version of the Encore synthesizer is designed for solid-phase synthesis on SynPhase Lanterns however, it can be modified for synthesis on alternative solid supports such as resin plugs from Polymer Laboratories (e.g., StratoSpheres Plugs). 

Make implementation of automated catalysts synthesis by robots and the search for compromise by adapting the choice of the chemist to the effective possibilities of the available robots. 

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