For high-throughput laboratories, switching from traditional autosampler vials to 96-well plates offers important advantages in automation, consistency, and time savings. While not every step in an analytical workflow can be automated, specialized instrumentation can significantly improve reproducibility and throughput for LC/MS assays.
Three of the most important tools in automated 96-well plate workflows are systems for sample preparation, evaporation, and plate sealing. Each plays a different role in improving efficiency and maintaining consistent results across large sample sets.
1. Positive Pressure Manifolds for Solid Phase Extraction
Reliable sample preparation is essential for successful solid phase extraction (SPE). Traditional vacuum manifolds are commonly used to pull solvents through SPE media, but they can introduce inconsistency when individual wells run dry. In these situations, vacuum is redistributed through the empty wells, reducing flow through the remaining positions and creating variability in analyte recovery.
Chrom Tech recommends the Positive Pressure Manifold for improved consistency. This system applies even, regulated pressure across all wells—whether wet, dry, or filled—so each sample experiences more uniform flow conditions.
Its restricted-flow gas ports help prevent uneven pressure distribution, providing better flow control even with viscous samples or difficult matrices. With operating pressures up to 75 PSI, the manifold supports smooth, adjustable processing across a wide range of applications and helps improve SPE reproducibility in high-throughput environments.
2. Speeding Up the Dry Down Step
Evaporation, or dry down, is often one of the most time-consuming steps in sample preparation. The Ultravap Mistral 96-Well Plate Evaporator is designed to reduce dry down times in high-throughput LC/MS workflows by allowing precise control over nitrogen temperature, gas flow rate, and needle depth.
By positioning the gas just above the liquid surface, the evaporator accelerates solvent removal while maintaining controlled conditions. In practical use, laboratories have reported reducing dry down times by up to 50% for aqueous protein samples compared with other evaporators.
The ability to store 15 password-protected methods also improves consistency and compliance across multiple users, making the Ultravap Mistral a useful tool for repetitive plate-based workflows.
3. Properly Sealing the 96-Well Plate
Proper plate sealing is critical in LC/MS assays to prevent evaporation, cross-contamination, and environmental exposure. Although silicone mats and adhesive films can be used, they may not provide the repeatability or automation support required for high-volume laboratory workflows.
For frequent sealing operations, Chrom Tech recommends the UltraSeal Pro Thermal Plate Sealer. This system automates the sealing process using programmable settings for temperature, pressure, and sealing time, helping ensure repeatable results and regulatory compliance.
A single foil roll can seal up to 4,800 plates, making the system highly cost efficient for high-throughput use. The result is a consistent, pierceable seal suitable for automated LC/MS workflows.
Chrom Tech’s 96-Well Plate Instrumentation Trifecta
To fully benefit from 96-well plate automation, the plates should be paired with optimized instrumentation. Chrom Tech’s recommended combination of Positive Pressure Manifold, Ultravap Mistral Evaporator, and UltraSeal Pro Thermal Plate Sealer supports complete workflow efficiency across SPE, evaporation, and sealing.
Together, these tools help laboratories improve reproducibility, reduce processing time, and increase throughput in automated LC/MS sample preparation workflows.