Automated laboratory experiments have the potential to propel new discoveries, while increasing reproducibility and improving scientists' safety when handling dangerous materials. However, many automated laboratory workflows have not fully leveraged the remarkable advancements in robotics and digital lab equipment. As a result, most robotic systems used in the labs are programmed specifically for a single experiment, often relying on proprietary architectures or using unconventional hardware. In this work, we tackle this problem by proposing a novel robotic system architecture specifically designed with and for chemists, which allows the scientist to easily reconfigure their setup for new experiments. Specifically, the system's strength is its ability to combine together heterogeneous robotic platforms with standard laboratory equipment to create different experimental setups. Finally, we show how the architecture can be used for specific laboratory experiments through case studies such as solubility screening and crystallisation.
翻译:自动实验室实验有可能推动新的发现,同时增加复制能力,提高科学家在处理危险材料时的安全性;然而,许多自动化实验室工作流程没有充分利用机器人和数字实验室设备方面的显著进步,结果,实验室中所使用的多数机器人系统都专门为单一实验编程,往往依靠专利结构或使用非常规硬件。在这项工作中,我们提出一个新颖的机器人系统结构,专门设计为化学家设计,使科学家能够方便地重新配置其新实验的设置。具体地说,该系统的实力在于它能够将多式机器人平台与标准实验室设备结合起来,以创建不同的实验装置。最后,我们通过诸如溶液筛选和结晶化等案例研究,展示该结构如何用于具体的实验室实验实验。