Microwave reaction platform - Multiwave 5000

Importance of the topic

Flawless sample preparation is a critical prerequisite for reliable trace element and compound analysis. Microwave-based digestion and extraction offer uniform heating, shortened reaction times and enhanced safety under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. The Anton Paar Multiwave 5000 integrates four decades of expertise to deliver a versatile, high-performance platform for modern analytical laboratories.

Objectives and study overview

This application overview aims to present the capabilities and operational features of the Multiwave 5000 microwave reaction platform. It discusses the system’s design objectives—maximizing throughput, ensuring user safety, expanding methodological flexibility—and provides an overview of its performance in routine and challenging sample preparations.

Methodology and instrumentation

The Multiwave 5000 employs closed-vessel microwave digestion with individual vessel temperature and pressure control under up to 300 °C and 100 bar. Key rotor options include:

• 24HVT50/80 and 41HVT56 rotors for routine acid digestions (50–80 mL vessels)
• 20SVT50 SmartVent rotors for demanding or exothermic samples
• 8N high-end rotors with PTFE-TFM or quartz vessels for extreme conditions (100 mL)
• 64MG5 microsample rotor for low-mass treatments (~5 mL, 20 mg sample)

The system integrates:

• SmartVent technology for controlled gas release and corrosion protection
• SmartTemp internal probes plus infrared sensors for real-time vessel temperature measurement
• Software interlocks, active self-checks and a re-sealing safety door certified by ETL and GS
• 10.1" touchscreen with SmartScreen customization, SmartLight status indicators and SmartLink remote connectivity

Additional accessories support microwave-assisted extraction, acid evaporation (24EV), oxygen combustion (MIC), protein hydrolysis and accelerated sample drying (1DRY).

Main results and discussion

The Multiwave 5000 achieves high throughput—up to 64 samples per run—while maintaining reproducible digestion across varied matrices. Temperature uniformity and individual vessel control ensure complete reactions even for tough samples. SmartVent prevents overpressure without analyte loss, and the optimized cooling design reduces cycle times between runs. Over 500 pre-installed methods, intuitive software and remote monitoring enhance daily lab workflows. Full compliance with GMP, GAMP 5 and 21 CFR Part 11, together with independent safety certifications, demonstrates readiness for pharmaceutical and regulated environments.

Benefits and practical applications

• Marked reduction in sample preparation time and operational costs through high throughput and rapid heating/cooling cycles
• Flexible rotor designs for environmental, food, pharmaceutical, polymer, geological and biological samples
• Robust safety features and certification for high-pressure, high-temperature applications
• Intuitive user interface and pre-loaded methods minimize training requirements
• Real-time remote control and automated notifications improve laboratory efficiency

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging laboratory trends point to deeper integration with digital systems such as LIMS, AI-driven method optimization and advanced data analytics. Continued miniaturization and green-chemistry approaches will reduce reagent consumption. Coupling microwave sample preparation directly to chromatographic or mass spectrometric systems promises seamless workflows, faster turn-around times and improved data quality for trace-level analyses.

Conclusion

The Anton Paar Multiwave 5000 is a comprehensive, user-friendly microwave sample preparation platform. It combines outstanding throughput, versatile rotor options, advanced safety measures and intelligent software to meet the demands of modern analytical chemistry. By enhancing reproducibility, reducing process times and enabling remote operation, it supports a broad range of routine and specialized applications.

Reference

No references provided.