In today’s rapidly evolving world, the need for sustainability has become more apparent than ever. Industries across the globe are seeking eco-friendly practices, and laboratories are no exception. Microsaic Systems takes a proactive response to this growing requirement. In this blog, we explore the greener and more sustainable practices that laboratories can adopt with the help of Microsaic Systems, ensuring a positive impact on both the environment and scientific advancements.

Energy-Efficient Laboratory Equipment

Traditional laboratory equipment often consumes large amounts of energy, contributing to a significant carbon footprint. Microsaic Systems is pioneering the development of energy-efficient mass spectrometers. These compact and robust instruments consume less power while maintaining high-performance standards. By adopting such equipment, laboratories can significantly reduce their energy consumption and make a significant stride towards sustainability.

Minimising Waste Generation

Waste generation is a major concern in laboratories, particularly with single-use plastic consumables. Microsaic Systems encourages the adoption of greener alternatives, such as glass containers and reusable labware. Moreover, when coupling our unique microfluidic interface to mass spectrometry equipment, we are able to significantly reduce the chemical consumption. This not only minimises waste but also translates into cost savings for laboratories.

Microsaic’s PFAS and acrylamide-detection systems incorporate an online Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) method which produces much less waste than traditional offline SPE versions. Offline SPE uses a single-use plastic cartridge per sample and pipette tips for sample handling, whereas the online SPE used with the MicrylaMiD and SPE-LC-MS can be reused for ~300 samples or more depending on application, with no pipetting needed.

Eco-Friendly Solvents and Chemicals

Traditional solvents and chemicals can be harmful to both the environment and lab personnel. Switching to greener alternatives, such as bio-based solvents or less toxic reagents, can make a substantial difference. Microsaic Systems’ mass spectrometry solutions are designed to work with smaller volumes of these eco-friendly solvents without compromising sensitivity or accuracy.

Remote Monitoring and Potential for Cloud Data Storage

Microsaic Systems offers state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems with remote monitoring capabilities. Laboratories can take advantage of this feature to optimise instrument usage, ensuring minimal downtime and reducing the need for physical presence in the lab. Microsaic’s Lab-in-a-Van service removes the requirement to transport samples back to laboratories, saving time and costs.

The Microsaic team recently participated in a bioprocessing monitoring project where cell broth samples were harvested and analysed  for 10 days continuously and automatically, without any human input. Additionally, cloud data storage eliminates the need for extensive on-site servers, further cutting down energy consumption and associated costs.

Collaborative Research and Knowledge Sharing

Sustainability in laboratories can be further enhanced through collaborative research and knowledge sharing. Microsaic Systems facilitates such initiatives by supporting academic and industrial partnerships and encouraging open access to research. By working together, the scientific community can collectively address global challenges through sustainable solutions.

My Green Lab Ambassadors

Microsaic Systems is proud to have a number of colleagues actively engaged in promoting green and sustainable practices through the My Green Lab Ambassador Program. Speaking about his participation in the program, Dr. Thomas Sutton, Application Specialist for Microsaic said “The My Green Lab Ambassador program provided a useful and interesting insight into how to reduce the environmental impact of the laboratory. I am excited to be implementing greener working practices into our laboratory and office and look forward to further reducing the environmental impact of our work.”

Dr. Max Wong, Senior Scientist added “I am always interested in developing the simplest analytical workflows. My Green Lab Ambassador program and being part of the community have opened up new options and opportunities to make a real positive impact on the environment while keeping my work at the highest, and also safest, quality. I’m really excited, thanks to our technologies at Microsaic, to be able to push this boundary even further!”

Learn more about the program here.

Greener and more sustainable practices are transforming laboratories, and Microsaic Systems is playing a crucial role in this paradigm shift. By embracing energy-efficient equipment, minimising waste generation, adopting eco-friendly solvents, and utilising remote monitoring and cloud data storage, laboratories can significantly reduce their environmental impact while continuing to drive ground-breaking research.

As we move forward, let us remember that the pursuit of scientific excellence and sustainability are not mutually exclusive but rather interconnected pathways. Together with Microsaic Systems, laboratories worldwide can lead the charge towards a greener future, where scientific progress and environmental preservation go hand in hand. Let’s embark on this journey of sustainability, leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.