| Abstract [eng] |
In effort to combine chemical synthesis and analysis processes under one automation system, a low-cost system was designed, developed, and tested for automating both chemical synthesis and thin layer chromatography analysis processes. Two delta robots were used for chemical liquid dispensing that employed a plunger-operated air displacement dispensing method, and one delta robot was used for the manipulation and transferring of thin layer chromatography plates. Four steps of thin layer chromatography analysis method were fully automated: spotting, development, imaging, and staining. The total cost of parts and materials of the system was calculated to be 7275.6 euro. Systematic and random errors of liquid handling were tested according to ISO 8655 and ISO 23783 standards using a gravimetry method. Obtained systematic errors conformed to the standards, however random errors conformed to the standards only for the dispensing of the 10% of maximum volume, therefore the liquid handling capabilities of the system were determined to be accurate but not precise. Furthermore, the repeatability of the system to produce thin layer chromatography analysis data was tested. Values for the coefficients of variation of the retention factors of different compounds of the developed plates across multiple tests ranged from 4.51% to 11.27%. A comparison of obtained coefficients of variation showed that the automation system had enough repeatability to analyse chemical samples using thin layer chromatography. Lastly, using the system, ongoing chemical synthesis reactions were monitored with thin layer chromatography method for periods ranging from 14 to 36 hours. The formation of products and usage of reagents were visible on the images of the developed and stained plates indicating that the automation system was capable of performing chemical synthesis and synthesis reaction monitoring using thin layer chromatography analysis method. |
