MIPT: Chemical Research Automation Instrument

Main article: APCS

2026: Chemical Research Automation Instrument Development

Students of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) Anastasia Gondarenko and Valentina Strelnikova created a working prototype of a remotely controlled fraction collector for liquid chromatography. The device automates the routine process of collecting purified chemicals into test tubes, which reduces the risk of human error and frees up researchers' time. The university announced this on February 9, 2026.

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Фото: MIPT

Chromatography is a key method for separating and purifying complex mixtures in chemistry, biochemistry and pharmaceuticals. It works as follows: after separation in a column, the purified substance (fraction) leaves dropwise through a thin tube. At the same time, the task of a laboratory assistant or researcher is to substitute a new test tube in time, which requires constant concentration of attention with many hours of experiments. Industrial machines (fractional collectors) that remove a task from a person are often too expensive for small educational and scientific laboratories.

2nd year students of the Fiztech School, electronic engineers photonics and molecular physics of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology Anastasia Gondarenko and Valentina Strelnikova have developed a device that solves this problem. It is a compact platform with a holder for dozens of tubes. The movable grip, controlled by, Wi-Fi accurately positions the tube with the eluent above the desired tube according to the given program. Switching can take place in time or by a signal from an external sensor.

The goal of our project was to create an affordable alternative to commercial collectors, which can cost several hundred thousand rubles. Our prototype is built on the basis of components available to any enthusiastic engineer: stepper motors, guides, ESP 32 microcontroller and 3D printed parts. All the logic of work and the control interface are written from scratch, - explained the co-author of the project, MIPT student Anastasia Gondarenko.

The technical core of the system is a programmable controller on ESP 32, which coordinates the operation of stepper motors that provide movement along two axes with high accuracy. You can control the process both using the web interface on your computer and from your smartphone. The user sets the location map of the tubes and collection parameters (for example, "collect 1 minutes each"), after which the device works autonomously.

Our development is an example of how digital technologies - 3D printing, affordable microprocessor technology and smart programming - allow you to create complex laboratory installations on your own. This approach not only gives practical engineering skills, but also really reduces the entry threshold for scientific research. The project has the potential to be finalized to a commercial product for small laboratories, - added the co-author of the project, MIPT student Valentina Strelnikova.

For February 2026, the prototype successfully passes test tests. The developers plan to improve positioning accuracy, increase the capacity of the tube cassette and introduce feedback sensors. The development is carried out within the framework of the educational project "Digital Production Workshop" on the basis of the educational and production center of MIPT "Fiztekh.Fabrika," where university students receive technological and infrastructure support, as well as advice from experienced colleagues.