ultraWAVE 2 eco is the new generation of Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) microwave digestion system that brings the key advantages of SRC technology to routine and regulated laboratories.
Building on the success of Milestone’s flagship ultraWAVE series, the ultraWAVE 2 eco redefines digestion efficiency while advancing sustainability.
The system processes all samples simultaneously in one PTFE-lined stainless-steel chamber under consistent temperature and pressure conditions, ensuring thorough and repeatable digestion for a broad variety of matrices, such as food, environmental materials, pharmaceuticals, and polymers.
The new design incorporates flexible racks with capacities ranging from 4 to 22 positions and supports PTFE, quartz, or disposable glass vials, simplifying daily operation while reducing acid consumption and waste.
Practical by design
The ultraWAVE 2 eco adapts to diverse laboratory requirements through a broad selection of racks and vials suitable for both low- and high-throughput workflows. Handling is simplified, as the vials consist of only two components, and the operation involves merely placing or removing the loose-fitting cap, eliminating the complex sealing steps required by conventional digestion systems. This flexibility makes the system well-suited for laboratories operating in food, environmental, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, polymer, petrochemical, and agricultural fields.
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
Vial options
Vials are available in PTFE, quartz, and disposable glass to meet a wide range of application requirements, from ultra-low blank levels to full acid compatibility, while providing flexibility for different workflows. A broad selection of racks enables laboratories to address diverse digestion needs, from high-sample-mass protocols to high-throughput analyses.
Any sample, any time
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
With SRC technology, every vial is subjected to identical temperature and pressure conditions, ensuring uniform digestion across all sample types. This distinctive capability enables laboratories to process mixed samples with varying chemistries in a single run, without the need to group similar matrices. By removing the risk of incomplete digestion, SRC eliminates costly reprocessing and ensures consistent result quality. Urgent samples can also be introduced at any time, improving turnaround time and overall productivity.
Streamlined workflow
Disposable glass vials eliminate one of the most time-consuming steps in digestion workflows: cleaning. Rather than dedicating time to washing and reassembling vessels, operators can simply use a new vial for each run. Because the ultraWAVE 2 eco maintains elevated temperature and pressure even when using glass vials, laboratories gain a level of productivity and safety not achievable with traditional systems. This approach reduces cost per sample, decreases acid consumption, and minimizes waste, supporting greater efficiency and sustainability in everyday operations.
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
Great usability, broad applicability
Intuitive operation, every day
The ultraWAVE 2 eco is fully operated via a touchscreen terminal using easyCONTROL 3 software. Designed to streamline daily workflows, it provides laboratories with dependable control and comprehensive documentation for every run. The interface features an icon-based, multilingual design, is compliant with 21 CFR Part 11, and integrates Milestone’s decades of experience in microwave sample preparation.
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
- Customizable home page
Provides quick access to key methods
- Preloaded libraries
Includes ready-to-use methods with the flexibility to create additional ones
- Real-time monitoring
Displays clear graphs and sample lists to track each run
- USB and Ethernet connectivity
Enables seamless connection to external devices and laboratory networks
Rethink the lab’s impact for elemental analysis
Explore eco-friendly innovation solutions designed to help chemists optimize operations without compromising the quality of results.
Applying green chemistry principles to elemental analysis can be challenging.
Sample preparation is not inherently sustainable because it requires harsh chemicals and generates waste. Nevertheless, a careful evaluation of the entire preparation process can uncover opportunities for meaningful improvements that support more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. Three essential aspects should be considered in this process: chemistry, technology, and workflow optimization.
Sustainable chemistry
Moving toward greener methods requires a thorough evaluation of several parameters, such as the type of acids used, total reagent volume, sample mass, and reagent concentration, while maintaining analytical quality.
Technology and performance
The technological design of digestion systems has a significant impact on sustainability, influencing factors such as material recyclability, energy consumption, and gaseous waste generation.
Green and optimized workflow
Although digestion plays a central role in sample preparation for elemental analysis, several other key steps can be optimized to make the overall process more sustainable and safer.
Empower the lab's sustainability with the Green Prep Score
The Green Prep MW Score is an innovative tool developed by Milestone to help laboratories worldwide measure, analyze, and improve sustainability practices in sample preparation for elemental analysis. Based on a recent Elsevier publication, the tool provides a science-based framework for evaluating and strengthening laboratory sustainability.
By assessing existing procedures, the Green Prep Score delivers actionable insights that help reduce environmental impact while optimizing operational efficiency.