A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle includes a body and an RFID transponder. The body includes an electrically conductive portion defining a first recess configured to receive at least a first fluid-containing receptacle, and an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and stores information about the receptacle holder. The receptacle holder can also include the first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.

A method for fluid handling that includes reading information about a receptacle holder with an RFID reader and transmitting the information from an RFID transponder disposed on a first body of the receptacle holder that supports a fluid-containing receptacle. This information is used to align a robotic fluid transfer device with the first fluid-containing receptacle. Detecting a change in capacitance between an electrically conductive probe of the robotic fluid transfer device and an electrical ground or voltage source capacitively coupled to fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle is an indication that the probe has contacted the fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle. Once it is determined that the probe has contacted the fluid, the fluid transfer device aspirates a portion of the fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.

A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle includes a body and an RFID transponder. The body includes an electrically conductive portion defining a first recess configured to receive at least a first fluid-containing receptacle, and an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and stores information about the receptacle holder. The receptacle holder can also include the first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.

An identification system for an automated sampling device is disclosed that includes container identifiers to monitor container contaminate levels independently for each container. The containers can include caps having unique identifiers to monitor cap contaminate levels independent from container contaminate levels. The system can include one or more identifier capture devices configured to detect the container and cap identifiers and generate a data signal in response thereto. The data signal can correspond to an identity of each of the container and the cap to store in conjunction with trace elemental analysis of the fluids within the container to monitor contaminate levels of each container and cap. The container and cap identifiers can be laser-marked directly onto one or more surfaces of the container and the cap.

A vessel carrier for use in an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The vessel carrier comprises an upper side, a bottom side, and a middle body portion between the upper side and the bottom side. The upper side comprises openings for introducing vessels. The middle body portion comprises vessel holding positions comprising walls for holding a vessels and extending in correspondence to the openings on the upper side into the middle body portion. The vessel carrier further comprises a two-component structure comprising a core component made of electrically conductive material. The core component comprises part of the bottom side and the walls of the vessel holding positions. The vessel carrier further comprises a cover component covering part of the core component and is made of a material that is different or has different properties with respect to the material of the core component and is customizable for identification and/or handling.

A sample carrier includes a bottom, at least one side wall, and a contact face for receiving a sample. The side wall extends upward relative to the bottom. A circumferential rim is provided on the contact face. The sample carrier can be used in a sample handling system which includes a counterpart support element and a sample storage for receiving the sample carrier. Multiple sample storages are combined to sample storage rails with can be arranged on a sample storage shelf. The sample carrier can be part of a system for performing thermomechanical analysis, including the sample handling system while the samples, arranged in the sample carriers, are stored in the sample storages of the sample storage rails arranged in the sample storage shelves from where they are transported to the sample support with the help of the counterpart support element.

A method for fluid handling that includes reading information about a receptacle holder with an RFID reader and transmitting the information from an RFID transponder disposed on a first body of the receptacle holder that supports a fluid-containing receptacle. This information is used to align a robotic fluid transfer device with the first fluid-containing receptacle. Detecting a change in capacitance between an electrically conductive probe of the robotic fluid transfer device and an electrical ground or voltage source capacitively coupled to fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle is an indication that the probe has contacted the fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle. Once it is determined that the probe has contacted the fluid, the fluid transfer device aspirates a portion of the fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.

A method of sample processing that includes a step of prompting, at a user interface of a sample processing instrument, a user to enter a user input based on first information transmitted from an RFID transponder disposed on a receptacle holder within the sample processing instrument. The user input indicates second information about the receptacle holder. The method of sample processing further includes a step of receiving, at the user interface of the sample processing instrument, the user input. The Method of sample processing further includes a step of processing, using the sample processing instrument, a sample based on the user input.