Concepts for Improved Automated Laboratory Productivity.

The use of automated laboratory techniques is rapidly increasing. Significant changes are occurring both in how tasks are accomplished and in which tasks are practical and cost effective. While the automation of a given task does not inherently dictate the use of some form of computer, the greater system flexibility achieved through software control, coupled with the recent drastic reduction in computer hardware costs, have already made this approach to automation extremely popular. The vast proliferation of computational hardware does not solve all of the problems in laboratory automation--FAR FROM IT. Two major problem areas arise, development of suitable function systems to conduct the desired chemistry and development of the proper software. Today in many cases workers have resorted to mimicking human manipulation of samples through the use of robotics. While this approach is viable for some situations, it is far far from optimal for many other applications. Laboratory automation today often involves the use of instruments designed to perform a specific task i.e., sample preparation and analysis on a high work load. However, there is a trend toward increasing flexibility through multi-task capability.