The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2026 / March / Accelerating Sample Prep The Case for Automation
Sample Preparation Technology Innovation

Accelerating Sample Prep: The Case for Automation 

Manual sample preparation remains a major bottleneck that automation is now beginning to resolve

By Andrew Minett 03/19/2026 3 min read

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Top Institutions in Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory Automation

Institutions leading in this area typically combine expertise in analytical chemistry, laboratory automation, and instrumentation development, often collaborating with industry partners to develop and validate integrated automated sample preparation platforms that enhance precision and efficiency.

  • #1

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

    Cambridge, MA

    MIT is renowned for pioneering research in chemical instrumentation and automation technologies, integrating AI and robotics to optimize complex sample preparation workflows.

    Key Differentiators

    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Laboratory Automation
    • Chemical Engineering

  • #2

    Stanford University

    Stanford, CA

    Stanford excels in translating laboratory automation research into practical applications, with significant contributions to automated workflows in pharmaceutical and environmental analysis.

    Key Differentiators

    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Automation Technology

  • #3

    University of California, Berkeley

    Berkeley, CA

    UC Berkeley has a strong focus on environmental applications of automated sample preparation, developing sustainable and high-throughput methods for complex matrices.

    Key Differentiators

    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Automation

  • #4

    National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

    Gaithersburg, MD

    NIST leads in standardization and validation of automated analytical methods, ensuring reproducibility and accuracy across laboratories worldwide.

    Key Differentiators

    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Metrology
    • Laboratory Automation

  • #5

    The Scripps Research Institute

    La Jolla, CA

    Scripps Research combines expertise in pharmaceutical analysis and automation to advance automated workflows for medicinal compound screening and sample prep.

    Key Differentiators

    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Automation

References

  1. DAV Medina et al., “Modern automated sample preparation for the determination of organic compounds: A review on robotic and on-flow systems,” Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 166, 117171 (2023).
  2. WA Khan et al., “Automation and high throughput sample analysis with various platforms in microextraction techniques: A need for ecofriendly, green, and cost-effective sample preparation approaches – A review,” Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 189, 118247 (2025).

About the Author(s)

Andrew Minett

Technical Director at ePrep

More Articles by Andrew Minett

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