Agilent InfinityLab well plates and sealing

Significance of the Topic

High-throughput liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC/MS workflows demand robust sample handling tools to maintain data integrity, prevent evaporation, and streamline automation. Well plates and sealing mats designed to meet industry standards are essential to avoid lost samples, reruns, and missed deadlines, ultimately improving laboratory efficiency and reproducibility.

Objectives and Overview of the Document

This application note presents Agilent InfinityLab well plates and compatible sealing mats optimized for automated sample transfer into HPLC and LC/MS systems. It outlines plate formats, materials, and performance characteristics to guide users in selecting the ideal consumables for diverse chromatography tasks.

Instrumentation Used

Although no specific instruments are described, the consumables reviewed are compatible with all major autosamplers and LC/MS platforms, especially within the Agilent InfinityLab ecosystem. All formats conform to ANSI/SLAS SBS footprints and are defined in instrument definition files for seamless integration.

Methodology

Well plates are produced from medical-grade virgin polypropylene or polypropylene blends, with options for glass inserts. Sealing mats are silicone-based, preslit for easy piercing, and validated for temperature and chemical resistance. Key manufacturing and design criteria include:

• Standard SBS footprint and alphanumeric well numbering
• Varying well shapes (U-shape, V-shape) to match volume needs
• Temperature tolerance from –80 °C to 120 °C
• Barcode-ready instrument definition files
• Compatibility with preslit silicone and PTFE/silicone caps to prevent cross-contamination

Main Findings and Discussion

A comprehensive portfolio of 96- and 384-well plates is available, spanning working volumes from 0.17 mL to 1.98 mL:

• Deep-well plates (1.2 to 2.2 mL) for sample storage and preparative steps
• Standard well plates (0.33 to 0.5 mL) with V or U bottoms for small-volume recovery
• High-density 384-well plates (0.19 mL) for ultra-high throughput
• Polypropylene-blend plates for TapeStation and electrophoresis integration
• Glass-insert plates for polar surface chromatography

All plates share low biomolecular binding, chemical resistance, and stackability. Sealing mats feature straight or cross-slits, varied dome geometries, and are autoclavable.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The InfinityLab consumable suite delivers:

• Reduced sample loss and evaporation during automated runs
• Consistent sealing and easy plate handling
• Streamlined reordering via online store and favorites lists
• Flexibility across multiple workflows, from sample prep to storage and analysis

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in miniaturized LC/MS and fully automated workflows will drive demand for even smaller well formats, enhanced material chemistries to reduce carryover, and integrated barcoding. Smart consumables with built-in sensors to track plate usage and environmental conditions may emerge, further optimizing lab operations.

Conclusion

Agilent InfinityLab well plates and sealing mats offer a versatile, standardized consumable platform for high-throughput chromatography. Their robust design, compliance with global standards, and seamless integration with automated instruments support reliable data generation and operational efficiency.

References

No literature references were provided in the source document.