SureSTART collection

Significance of the topic

Accurate chromatographic analysis relies not only on instrumentation but also on appropriate sample containers. Selecting the right vials and well plates affects sample integrity, reproducibility and overall laboratory efficiency. Proper containment minimizes analyte loss, prevents contamination, and supports high-throughput workflows essential for research, QA/QC and industrial applications.

Objectives and article overview

This guide introduces the Thermo Scientific™ SureSTART™ collection and WebSeal well-plate portfolio. It outlines criteria for choosing vials, caps, inserts and well plates that align with instrument requirements, sample characteristics and analytical performance goals. The aim is to help analysts optimize their workflows from sample storage through to injection.

Methodology and instrumentation used

The selection strategy is structured around three key factors:

• Instrument compatibility – LC vs. GC, detector type (MS vs. non-MS), autosampler neck style (screw, crimp, SureStop, snap).
• Sample volume and availability – options range from standard 2 mL vials to total-recovery formats and microsampling inserts, plus plates for high-throughput needs.
• Compound properties – volatility, polarity and light sensitivity guide choice of material (glass, silanized glass, polypropylene, TPX®) and vial color (clear vs. amber).

Instrumentation referenced includes HPLC/UHPLC and GC autosamplers from Thermo Scientific™ TriPlus RSH, Agilent, CTC (PAL), Shimadzu, Waters and related detectors (UV, FID, MS).

Main results and discussion

SureSTART vials are organized into three performance levels:

• Level 1 (Non-MS or routine non-challenging analyses)
• Level 2 (MS-compatible for routine QA/QC with low-level compounds)
• Level 3 (High-sensitivity MS for trace-level and research applications)

Well plates are offered in plastic, glass-coated or glass-inserted formats, conforming to ANSI/SLAS standards. WebSeal Plate+ inserts use a pure silicon-dioxide nanolayer to match vial-grade inertness. Plates span microtitre, mid-well and deep-well formats and fit major autosampler platforms. Key trade-offs include throughput gains versus manual handling, solvent resistance, and sample contact area.

Contributions and practical applications of the method

By aligning container choice with analytical goals, laboratories can:

• Ensure seal integrity and prevent evaporation with SureStop and AVCS closures.
• Reduce residual volume and improve recovery using total-recovery or fused-insert vials.
• Increase sample throughput via well plates and automated pipetting/robotics.
• Maintain data quality with glass-coated WebSeal Plate+ surfaces and chromatography-tested plastics.

Future trends and possibilities for application

Emerging developments include fully integrated automated sample preparation-on-plate, advanced polymer coatings to further reduce surface activity, barcoded and RFID-enabled plate tracking, and extended compatibility with UHPLC-MS high-throughput platforms. Adoption of miniaturized formats and even higher inertness surfaces will support next-generation metabolomics, proteomics and environmental analyses.

Conclusion

Optimal vial and well-plate selection is a critical yet often overlooked element of chromatographic workflows. The Thermo Scientific SureSTART and WebSeal portfolios provide a structured approach to match container properties with analytical needs—enhancing reproducibility, recovery and throughput while supporting regulatory compliance and method robustness.