Laboratory Automation & Information Management最新文献

A wide variety of result management systems exist for use with analytical instruments, the majority of which come under the generic term “LIMS” (Laboratory Information Management System). These systems are often both powerful and extremely comprehensive which, paradoxically, can create difficulties when attempting to apply them in certain specific application areas. In the metals industry, the need to merge analytical results from an Optical Emission spectrometer, an XRF system and Combustion analysers and transmit the merged data back to the process is a typical requirement. This is not a particularly demanding requirement in itself, and many conventional LIMS systems would be considered as an “overkill” solution. However, the crucial difference between this application and others is the fact that there may be hundreds of tonnes of molten metal awaiting the merged analytical result. When considering the energy costs related to maintaining metal in a molten state, then speed of operation is clearly the critical performance criteria for the merging and routing software in this application area. The system described here, ARMS (ARL Result Management System), shows how it is possible to design a system for result merging and routing which takes account of the speed requirement as the number one priority. Examples of system implementation are given, and the accrued benefits from the faster operation reviewed. Robotic systems automate the sample handling.

Advances in software used to manage samples in the laboratory have sharpened the focus upon data integration between software applications. Integration can reduce the time to transfer data, as well as eliminating the manual transcription errors associated with cross-copying information by hand. However, the physical integration between software has traditionally been an arduous and complicated technical procedure, requiring investment and experienced management. This paper describes the new technology that allows vendors and users alike to integrate Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) with Chromatography Data Systems (CDS).

A recent article [F.R. Antonucci, D.A. Barnett, The changing corporate analytical laboratory, CHEMTECH, October 1998] forecasts a change in the way corporate analytical laboratories will operate. At Champion International's Applied Technologies corporate analytical laboratory, this revolutionary change is a movement away from the traditional culture of complete reliance on in-house expertise and instrumentation. Instead, customer needs will be addressed through a network of resources that leverage the both in-house and noncorporate instruments and expertise. We have coined the term “virtual laboratory” for this new laboratory paradigm. This revolution requires the role of corporate analytical scientists to change from one of data and information generators to one of knowledge workers. Associated with this role change is the potential for a dramatic increase in the value of the chemist's contribution to the company, an opportunity for them to function as important business partners with the manufacturing sites and product development centers. The laboratory knowledge workers, the customers, and the virtual laboratory must all work synchronously around prenegotiated expectations regarding cost, quality, and timeliness. The mechanism allowing this change is a Lotus Notes database entitled the Testing Connection. In fact, this database can be viewed as the cornerstone of the virtual laboratory concept. This database allows for the capture of data, information, and knowledge and for collaborative problem solving. All of these capabilities result in faster and better action on customer issues. Also, the migration from problem solving to problem prediction and prevention is achievable.

The National Office of Potable Water (ONEP) is a public body in charge of the production, control and distribution of potable water throughout the Kingdom of Morocco. The ONEP Central Laboratory and a network of 46 decentralised laboratories are in charge of monitoring the quality of produced and distributed water, as well as pollution control of resources intended for drinking water production. In order to perform this activity, ONEP laboratories follow a variety of sampling points and type of samples (treated water, raw water, waste water, sludge from sewage works, treatment reagents, etc.) depending on the objective of control. The variety of biological and physicochemical analyses as well as the significant number of data generated by ONEP laboratories has speedily imposed the need for a data computer management. The ONEP Central Laboratory has developed a computer-based application for laboratory management (GDAL). This application was devised and adopted to satisfy the present and future needs of the Central Laboratory. The pro-software was developed under Power Builder within windows environment (NT and 95). It manages more than 3500 sampling sites throughout Morocco, that is more than 30,000 samples or 1 million items of analytical data, and enables the editing of more than 20 types of analytical reports. This system is intended for 21 users simultaneously and allows the management of analytical data of the central and decentralised laboratories. The system is developed into modules covering all sample life cycle which comprise (1) analysis campaign planning, (2) management of sample-taking missions, (3) samples reception, (4) analysis, (5) invoicing, (6) consultation and printing, (7) processing analytical data provided by the system. GDAL also comprises the laboratory administrative and stock management, and accounting. This application aims to: (a) enable each user to have access to the information about samples analysis in real time; (b) automate everyday tasks of the laboratory; (c) ensure the follow-up of all the information concerning the analysis from planning the sampling to editing the analytical report; (d) improve the accuracy of the results by automating the quality control procedures.