Laboratory 4.0 – the digitally networked, automated laboratory – is the future towards which research and development are moving faster and faster. But what's behind this term, and what is it supposed to achieve? Learn more here about the technologies and possibilities of Laboratory 4.0, its benefits, and how the path to the laboratory of tomorrow might look.
Definition: Laboratory 4.0 stands for the digitalisation of the laboratory thanks to technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). The most important goal is to increase the efficiency and quality of laboratory work.
How it works: In Laboratory 4.0, equipment and systems are connected via a network and they communicate seamlessly with one another. Data is collected, analysed, and used jointly as automatically as possible.
Benefits: The digital laboratory makes work easier for laboratory employees, increases efficiency, improves data quality, reduces costs, and ensures greater safety.
Execution: The implementation of Laboratory 4.0 requires a stable, secure IT infrastructure, compatible interfaces, new work processes, training and further training, not to mention the exchange between various specialised areas.
Laboratory 4.0 refers to a completely digital, networked, automated laboratory. Equipment and machines communicate via a common network; data is recorded seamlessly; and processes run almost by themselves thanks to robotics and artificial intelligence (more about this later). The goal is to make laboratory work as efficient, high-quality, cost-effective, and safe as possible.
But why Laboratory 4.0?
Laboratory 4.0 is derived from Industry 4.0 – in short, this refers to the digitalisation of industry. The German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology explains the concept a little more specifically:
“Machines which communicate with one another, inform one another about errors in the production process, identify short stocks of material and reorder it – that's an intelligent factory. This version is what's behind the keyword Industry 4.0.”
Analogous to Industry 4.0, Laboratory 4.0 also refers to the transformation of traditional laboratories into completely digitalised work and research. The laboratory equipment is networked and machines, equipment, and sensors exchange information in real time. This way, it’s possible to optimise many processes, from sample logistics to data analysis.
Digitalisation and networking change traditional laboratory work in fundamental ways. This results in numerous benefits for laboratory operators and their employees, but also for climate and environmental protection.
A digital, automated laboratory offers many opportunities. To take advantage of these, various technical innovations are used, some of which we will describe below.
How, exactly, will the laboratory of the future work? We're not that far along yet, but some of the underlying technologies are already in use and are being enhanced constantly. With their help, it will be possible to map and largely automate all processes in the future.
Laboratory Information and Management-System (LIMS)
Especially crucial for a functional digital laboratory is a laboratory information and management system, or LIMS for short. This is software which supports all administrative and coordination work in the laboratory.
Such a system...
LIMS also feature a modular structure and can be adapted to the specific requirements of various laboratory environments. However, their strengths are especially brought to bear in sample-oriented laboratories.
Practical example
If in the future there should be another pandemic, the initial collection of the samples, test evaluation, documentation, and the entire logistical process before and after could be handled much faster with a LIMS.
A second important component is the Internet of Things, which is also called Lab-IoT (laboratory Internet of Things) in the laboratory sector. It connects the pieces of laboratory equipment with one another so that the exchange of data in real time is possible within a network. Sensors in the equipment record data continuously and transmit the data to central systems such as the LIMS.
Practical example
Intelligent monitoring equipment informs continuously about room parameters (e.g., temperature) and tracks the state of equipment such as refrigerators and incubators. If there is a problem, the equipment automatically sends an alarm to connected systems or to a mobile device in order to warn workers in the laboratory.
Automation and robots serve especially to relieve people of repetitive or dangerous work. Meanwhile, laboratory robots are in a position to perform many tasks independently: e.g., sample feeding, measurement, or cooled storage. Many robotics systems are also (partially) mobile, which makes them even more flexible and means they can be used in different places.
The use of robots also provides the benefit that a lot of work can now be done automatically outside of normal working hours. Given the lack of skilled workers and the high workload in laboratories, this is an enormous relief which will make the profession more attractive once again.
Practical example
Automated systems are already performing all simple tests in a medical laboratory at night. The next morning, the laboratory employees check the results, and they can then devote themselves to more demanding tasks. There are significantly fewer night and weekend shifts.
Since the introduction of AI tools such as ChatGPT, everyone is talking about artificial intelligence – and not without reason. Even if the technology is still in its infancy, it can already provide impressive results in specialised areas.
The critical benefit of artificial intelligence is the processing of enormous quantities of data. AI algorithms derive patterns and valuable insights from the data; they make predictions and propose appropriate optimisations. This process takes only minutes or hours, while it would take a human being days. And a person alone might not even have recognised some of the especially complex relationships.
Practical example
Staying up to date and driving innovations are a matter of course for us at Waldner. For example, for the first time, the “Lab Control Center (LCC)” software ensures complete digital monitoring of our laboratory fume hoods and the processes performed.
The software records and visualises various laboratory information such as temperature, humidity, and data from laboratory equipment on a dashboard. Therefore, laboratory processes are monitored and controlled in real time.
This provides a new degree of transparency. Laboratory employees recognise right away whether everything is working right, and they can take action quickly if required. Errors are located and eliminated quickly.
Thanks to a wide variety of equipment and sensors with live data and graphic curve analysis which can be connected, experiments are monitored. Even past measurements can be called up easily, compared, and analysed. In addition, the connected equipment can be controlled directly.
We will help you on the path to Laboratory 4.0
We will be glad to work with you to plan a sophisticated laboratory with state-of-the-art solution approaches which will fulfil your high requirements. Take advantage of our years of experience and power of innovation.
Laboratory 4.0 is still a future vision. Much laboratory work is already being automated or greatly simplified, but a completely networked laboratory does not yet correspond to reality. However, we are on the path there if a few prerequisites are fulfilled.
The basic requirement for an automated, smart laboratory is a stable and especially secure IT infrastructure. Precisely in the medical sector, equipment and software may not fail, for in case of errors, there may be drastic health consequences.
And cybersecurity may not be underestimated, for in the end, people are frequently handling sensitive patient and research data here. Before the laboratory can be digitalised safely, the technical basis must be laid.
A big challenge in the implementation is currently the compatibility between various pieces of equipment and systems. Standardised interfaces which accept all data and can pass it along are still rare.
Such an interface which is in the implementation phase right now is the LADS (Laboratory and Analytical Device Standard) based on the OPC UA standard. It is already compatible with numerous pieces of laboratory equipment – now the goal is to map the entire laboratory in a common system.
Laboratory 4.0 can’t work with traditional, manual ways of working; the quantities of data processed are too large for this. Technologies such as AI must therefore be integrated sensibly into everyday laboratory life. For this, it is necessary to completely rethink some processes and adapt them flexibly.
The digital revolution requires the knowledge and capabilities of human employees in the laboratory on a completely new level. So that Laboratory 4.0 can succeed, laboratory employees must get to know their new tools in detail.
Regular exchange, appropriate trainings and workshops will help reveal innovative approaches, rethink previous ways of working, and expand people's capabilities.
When people, disciplines, and companies come together, ones which have the right specialised skills and work in interdisciplinary fashion, these various views and abilities can produce an optimally digitalised Laboratory 4.0.
Curious?
We’ll be glad to work with you to advance innovations in the laboratory. Contact us and we’ll work with you to develop your state-of-the-art, custom laboratory solution.
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