Low-cost automated pipetting system using a single board computer and 3D-printing

Abstract A low-cost, automated pipetting system (auto pipet) was developed to deliver microliter volumes of aqueous solutions. This system was constructed using a single board computer, 3 D-printed parts, stepper motors, and other commercially available components. The performance of the auto pipet was found to be comparable or better than manual pipetting and a commercially available liquid handling system. Inter-day, intra-day, inter-instrumental, and intra-instrumental validation studies were performed to evaluate the accuracy and precision of liquid delivery using the auto pipet. Accuracy was determined to be from 98 to 102% with the precision, represented as the relative standard deviation, to be less than 3%. The auto pipet was further evaluated by the preparation of calibration and check standards for the determination of method detection limit, accuracy, and precision for trihalomethanes using a commercially available monitoring system. The auto pipet was also used as a digital buret to perform water hardness and water alkalinity titrations with promising results. Graphical Abstract