SureSTART collection - Innovation

Importance of the Topic

Autosampler vial closures and well plates are foundational in analytical chemistry workflows, directly affecting sample integrity, analytical accuracy, and laboratory efficiency. Reliable sealing systems and inert surfaces minimize analyte loss, reduce background noise, and prevent sample contamination or evaporation, which is especially crucial for trace-level and high-throughput analyses.

Study Objectives and Overview

This white paper from Thermo Fisher Scientific introduces the SureSTART collection, showcasing patented vial and plate technologies—SureStop vials, AVCS closures, GOLD-grade glass vials, and WebSeal Plate+ well plates. It aims to demonstrate how these innovations improve reproducibility, throughput, and data quality across GC and LC applications.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Performance evaluations included seal integrity tests, leachable assessments via background chromatograms, solvent evaporation rate measurements, and adsorption studies for polar and trace analytes. Compatibility was confirmed with major GC and LC autosamplers (e.g., Agilent, CTC PAL, Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH, Shimadzu, Waters systems), using both preslit and non-slit configurations.

Main Results and Discussion

SureStop vials with AVCS caps provided consistent, optimal sealing with a defined stop point, eliminating user variability. Chromatograms revealed fewer background peaks and significantly lower cap-derived leachables compared to competitor bonded caps. Evaporation rates were reduced below those of traditional crimp top vials, ensuring reproducible quantitation. GOLD-grade glass vials and inserts delivered ultra-low adsorption surfaces for polar compounds and biomolecules, enhancing recovery and chromatographic reproducibility. WebSeal Plate+ glass-coated plates combined glass-like inertness with plastic plate convenience, offering improved solvent stability and ultra-trace analyte detection.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These technologies standardize consumables across instruments, reduce re-analysis costs, and improve throughput by decreasing autosampler interruptions and sample failures. Laboratories performing trace-level, polar analyte, or high-throughput screening benefit from cleaner spectra, consistent data, and extended sample stability.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Advancements may include further miniaturization, integration with fully automated workflows, and expanded glass-coating techniques for microplates. Emerging applications in environmental monitoring, biopharma QC, and metabolomics will drive demand for ultra-inert surfaces and smart sealing systems.

Conclusion

The SureSTART collection delivers robust, reproducible, and cost-effective solutions for modern chromatographic analysis. By combining innovative sealing designs and inert glass surfaces, these products address key challenges in sample handling and data quality across diverse analytical laboratories.