Microwave Digestion Archive

We are proud to announce the launch of the ETHOS Microwave Labstation and the ultraWAVE 2 eco. With ETHOS, Milestone introduces the latest and most advanced evolution of microwave rotor-base digestion technology. Designed to meet the highest standards in laboratory safety, reproducibility, and efficiency, ETHOS goes beyond digestion to become a true microwave labstation, supporting solvent extraction, evaporation, concentration, high-temperature processes, and more. Building on the success of Milestone’s flagship ultraWAVE series, the new ultraWAVE 2 eco redefines digestion efficiency and sustainability. By minimizing resource use and enabling sustainable lab practices, the ultraWAVE 2 Eco exemplifies Milestone’s commitment to Green Digestion. Laboratories can also access and optimize their sustainability using the integrated Green Prep MW Score tool.

Geological sample preparation remains one of the most critical—and challenging—steps in achieving accurate and reproducible elemental analysis. In this book, we will explore how recent advances in microwave-assisted digestion and green chemistry principles are reshaping sample preparation workflows in geochemistry labs. The practical handbook features a scientific overview of the digestion challenges associated with silicate-rich, refractory, and HFSE-bearing rocks, along with method development strategies. With the cooperation of Professor Balz Kamber of Queensland University of Technology, we introduce practical insights and comparative data on microwave digestion approaches, with a focus on Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) technology. Key topics include reproducibility, blank control, reagent reduction, and compatibility with HF mixtures.

Environmental testing labs face constant pressure to deliver fast, accurate, and compliant results—often with limited time and resources. But did you know that optimizing your sample preparation workflows can significantly improve productivity, safety, and data quality? At Milestone, we’ve gathered our industry expertise into a comprehensive free eBook: “Optimizing Sample Preparation Workflows for Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutants in Environmental Labs”. This comprehensive guide offers practical strategies and technologies to streamline workflows for heavy metals and organic pollutants.

Considering the elevated performances of the Milestone SRC technology, the Universal Oil Products (UOP) Company has developed reference methods aimed to determine the EFFICIENCY AND COMPLIANCE OF SRC ULTRAWAVE 3 FOR PETROLEUM MATRICES Rev 1/2025 2 ultraWAVE 3 | PETROCHEMICALS INDUSTRY REPORT concentration of target metals in organic matrices by ICP-MS. In particular, two official methods have been considered in this industry report: one for the detection of major elements (UOP Method 1005-14) and another specifically for silicon in all its forms (UOP Method 1006-14); both referes the ultraWAVE for the digestion process.

If your lab relies on manual dispensers to add acids into hundreds of samples, your lab team is stuck in a task that, while routine, is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and exposes your operators to safety risks. The process demanded precision and careful attention, increasing the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies. To address these challenges, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences has implemented easyFILL, an automated reagent dosing system, that enhances safety, precision, and efficiency in acid handling. It is also used for performing post-digestion dilutions and even to dose the reagent for cleaning both in digestion vessels and in small sample tubes.

This eBook describes the components of microwave rotor-based systems, highlighting their capabilities and the impact they can have on labs in terms of digestion quality, productivity, and running costs. It further demonstrates how the right configuration can be an ideal solution for challenging applications in the pharmaceutical, food science, and environmental testing industries

To accurately determine the composition of the elements in asphalt, it is essential that the sample be broken down into the smallest possible particles and completely digested with concentrated acid during sample preparation. Most microwave instruments had difficulty completely digesting these samples. TNO Mobility & Built Environment in Delft, the Netherlands, tested microwave digestion with ETHOS UP. In conjunction with ICP-AES, the system worked well for his elemental analyses. It was the only microwave oven that had completely digested the reference sample.

🔍🏔️ Excited to share insights on sample preparation in mining and geochemical applications!​ In this short read, you'll learn techniques and pain points​ on how SRC technology works by handling a wide range of sample types​, case study on molybdenum concentrates showcasing SRC technology for robust digestion.​ We present several strategies and methods, backed by case studies, for overcoming challenges and alleviating pain points encountered during preparation of mining and geochemical samples for elemental analysis.

The determination of fibre fraction in polymer composites is analytically challenging due to the difficulty in designing an efficient and selective protocol for separating the polymer matrix of composite samples without affecting the fibres. Microwave sample preparation has been successfully applied due to its selectivity and efficiency achieved by selective acid digestion.