A Flexible System for Stepwise Automation of Microbial Testing of Drinking and Process Water

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Laboratory Automation

Background:

• Life science and analytical science sectors show slow adoption of device connectivity and automation.
• Manual processes persist in microbial water analysis despite suitability for automation.
• Barriers include bottlenecks, downtime risks, spatial constraints, inflexibility, personnel shortages, and high costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a system for flexibly expandable automated process lines in laboratories.
• To address sample handling and transport as key steps in device networking.
• To overcome existing barriers hindering laboratory automation adoption.

Main Methods:

• Designed a system for sample handling and transport to network multiple devices.
• Enabled connection of spatially distributed or co-located devices.
• Facilitated functional and throughput expansion by adding devices or storage.

Main Results:

• Established a system for automated processing of routine Legionella pneumophila screening in drinking water.
• Demonstrated a flexible and expandable automated process line.
• The system successfully integrates sample handling and transport for networked devices.

Conclusions:

• The developed system lowers barriers to laboratory automation.
• It enables flexible expansion and networking of laboratory devices.
• The system provides a foundation for automating further steps in analytical workflows, including Legionella testing.