Consortium on Automated Analytical Laboratory Systems (CAALS)

USA Industry and government both depend heavily on analytical laboratory measurements. Although these measurements provide critical feedback in many situations , such as product quality assurance, acceptance testing, and regulatory compliance, they are generally viewed with mixed feelings. On the positive side, industry recognizes that improvements in product and process capability often depend on advancements in analytical measurement technologies. A firm's competitiveness depends in part on the accuracy, sensitivity, reliability, and controllability of its measurements and processes. The precision and control are reflected in the quality and cost of the firm's products. On the negative side, analytical measurements are expensive because they are labour intensive, requiring high-cost personnel and expensive equipment. Technology (NIST) project that during the next decade analytical measurement capabilities will experience technical growth equal to that of the previous three decades combined. Furthermore, NIST perceives that analytical measurement tasks are ripe for automation and that development of an automated analytical laboratory offers US industry opportunities for significant improvements in the quality and cost of analytical operations. To accelerate development of these benefits and to provide a broad utilization base, NIST has proposed the establishment of an industry-government research. Consortium on Automated Analytical Laboratory Systems (CAALS). The purpose of the consortium is to accelerate the advancement of automated analytical systems, to improve efficiency and data quality, and to promote transferability of analytical methods so that US-based industry enjoys a competitive advantage in chemical measurement technology. It has taken .approximately 9 months to form the consortium with the assistance of many industry leaders who have had significant input into the structure and proposed directions ofCAALS. A committee composed of members from the Center for Analytical Chemistry and other related areas of NIST was established to guide the formation of the consortium.