The Cary Sipper—Pump and Measure Multiple Samples Simultaneously

Significance of the Topic

The Cary Sipper accessory for the Agilent Cary 3500 UV-Vis spectrophotometer addresses key challenges in routine spectroscopic analysis, offering automated sample handling to improve laboratory throughput, reproducibility, and safety. By automating cuvette filling, rinsing, and measurement, laboratories can reduce manual errors, minimize sample cross-contamination, and accelerate data acquisition, which is critical for quality control, research, and process monitoring in analytical chemistry.

Objectives and Study Overview

This article presents a technical evaluation of the Cary Sipper system integrated with both Compact (two-cuvette) and Multicell (eight-cuvette) configurations of the Cary 3500 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The goal is to compare manual versus automated workflows in terms of time efficiency and analytical performance for measuring up to 30 samples across different instrument setups.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The study employs:

• Agilent Cary 3500 UV-Vis spectrophotometer in Compact and Multicell configurations, both double-beam designs.
• Cary Sipper accessory featuring a three-channel peristaltic pump for simultaneous sample and rinse delivery.
• Two types of quartz flow cells (10 mm pathlength, volumes 390 µL and 80 µL).
• Pump tubing options matched to solvent properties: PVC for aqueous, PVC Solva for low-volatility organics, and Marprene for ketone-based samples.
• Cary UV Workstation software for setting fill time, hold time, and rinse time parameters.

The performance was evaluated by measuring a fixed set of samples over a wavelength range of 200–350 nm with identical spectral settings. Measurement modes compared manual cuvette handling versus automated Sipper operation with one or three flow cells.

Main Results and Discussion

Time measurements for 30 samples revealed:

1. Manual single-cuvette (Compact): 21 min 30 s.
2. Manual multicuvette (Multicell): 16 min 26 s (24 % reduction versus single).
3. Sipper with one flow cell: 19 min 32 s (9 % reduction versus single).
4. Sipper with three flow cells: 7 min 30 s (65 % reduction versus single).

The automated approach with three flow cells delivered the greatest throughput gain. Software-controlled hold times minimized bubble artifacts, and optimized rinse cycles prevented cross-contamination. The flow-cell format eliminated errors from fingerprints or incomplete cuvette cleaning.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The Cary Sipper system offers:

• Substantial reduction in total analysis time and labor for high-volume sample sets.
• Enhanced reproducibility by standardizing fill/hold/rinse cycles.
• Flexible solvent compatibility via interchangeable pump tubing.
• Capability for controlled-temperature measurements through software integration.

This automation suits routine QA/QC testing, environmental monitoring, and kinetic or temperature-dependent studies requiring consistent sample handling.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements may include integration with robotic sample loaders, expanded multi-channel pump capacity, and real-time data analytics for adaptive cycle optimization. Further miniaturization of flow cells and development of inert tubing materials will broaden solvent compatibility and reduce dead volumes. Coupling with LIMS systems could enable seamless data management and regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

The Cary Sipper accessory significantly streamlines UV-Vis spectroscopic workflows by automating sample delivery and rinsing. It enhances throughput, precision, and safety compared to manual cuvette handling, especially when using multiple flow cells. Adoption of this technology can transform routine absorbance measurements in both research and quality control laboratories.

References

Agilent Technologies. Cary UV Workstation Software User Guide. 2020.
Agilent Technologies. Cary 3500 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer Technical Overview. 2020.