Volume Verification of Hamilton MICROLAB® STAR and NIMBUS Automated Liquid Handlers

Abstract

A precise and accurate  means for conducting volume verification of automated  liquid handlers is an important requirement in life science laboratories, which need to determine  if pipetting performance is within expected parameters and meets the manufacturers’ published specifications. While gravimetric-based methodologies have historically been the “gold standard”  for volume verification, they can represent  a difficult and tedious process for end users, are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, and have proved deficient when considering low (sub­ microliter) volumes. Perhaps most  important, gravimetry does not yield accuracy  and precision data on a per-channel basis for multi-channel head dispensing.  Many labs seeking higher confidence in assay performance therefore demand enhanced volume verification procedures  that are less affected by temperature or humidity, more streamlined  and easier to perform.

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