With ETHOS™, Milestone presents the newest and most advanced generation of microwave rotor-based digestion technology. Engineered to meet the highest requirements for laboratory safety, reproducibility, and efficiency, ETHOS extends beyond conventional digestion to function as a comprehensive microwave lab station, supporting solvent extraction, evaporation, concentration, high-temperature procedures, and additional applications.
ETHOS incorporates durable stainless-steel construction, pressure-responsive doors, automatic locking mechanisms, and SafeVIEW camera monitoring. High-purity PTFE vessels and reinforced PEEK components, together with Milestone’s exclusive vent-and-reseal rotor technology, provide enhanced safety and broad chemical compatibility.
With MAIA, Milestone’s AI assistant, users gain immediate support for method selection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and consumable management through chat or voice interaction.
Safety engineered into every detail
Microwave closed-vessel digestion operates at elevated temperatures and pressures using concentrated acids; therefore, the system must provide maximum protection under all conditions. ETHOS is engineered with safety as a core priority: its robust stainless-steel construction ensures long-term durability, and the unique pressure-responsive door, mounted on loaded springs, delivers an exceptional level of protection.
In the unlikely event of an overpressure release from a vessel, the stainless-steel door fully contains the pressure, while the exhaust system safely channels acid fumes to the laboratory ventilation system. An automatic door-locking mechanism prevents access until a user-defined safe temperature is reached, and the integrated SafeVIEW camera enables continuous real-time monitoring of the cavity.
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
Accurate, safe, reproducible
Temperature control is essential in microwave digestion because it directly affects both process quality and safety. ETHOS is equipped with easyTEMP, a contactless, direct-temperature sensor that combines the precision of an in-situ probe, which measures the actual temperature of the sample and solution, with the versatility of infrared monitoring across all vessels.
This combined capability ensures continuous control and highly uniform digestion conditions, providing reproducible results for every sample while eliminating the need for reprocessing.
Rotors and vessels
Digestion vessels form the core of any microwave system, as sample decomposition occurs within them. Their components must provide both chemical purity and mechanical strength: certain parts must withstand concentrated acids, while others must safely contain the pressure generated during digestion.
All Milestone rotors are designed to ensure both safety and performance. They feature high-purity PTFE vessels and covers, delivering broad chemical compatibility and extremely low blanks, while reinforced PEEK shields endure high pressures even at elevated temperatures. Milestone rotors also incorporate exclusive vent-and-reseal technology, which keeps vessels fully sealed throughout digestion.
Only in the unlikely event of overpressure does the mechanism activate, safely releasing excess gas before automatically resealing. This distinctive design ensures maximum safety and enables every digestion to be completed without loss of volatile elements.
Image Credit: Milestone™ Srl
MAXI-24 HP
High performance and throughput in one rotor
The MAXI-24 High Performance (HP) rotor delivers double pressure limits while offering greater capacity than standard high-throughput rotors. It enables the processing of larger volumes and a broad range of matrices within a single platform.
The quick-assembly vessels, consisting of only three components, can be sealed in seconds, enhancing efficiency and daily productivity. Featuring 24 positions, it represents an ideal solution for routine digestion of diverse sample types.
SK-15
High-pressure rotor for the toughest samples
The SK-15 is a high-pressure, high-temperature rotor designed to accommodate up to 15 PTFE-TFM vessels with a volume of 100 mL. Its wide operating range makes it suitable for virtually any matrix, including difficult-to-digest, reactive, or high-mass samples. Dependable and versatile, it streamlines the path from sample preparation to analysis, even in the most challenging conditions.
MAXI-44
Maximum productivity for large sample batches
For laboratories handling large sample volumes, such as soils, sediments, or aqueous matrices, the MAXI-44 provides exceptional productivity. Equipped with up to 44 PTFE-TFM vessels of 100 mL, it ensures high throughput, dependable performance, and outstanding ease of use. The MAXI-44 represents an ideal solution for laboratories requiring efficient processing of extensive sample batches.
Milestone Connect powered by AI
Since 2014, Milestone Connect has provided immediate access to technical expertise from any location, at any time. It now advances significantly with the introduction of MAIA, the Milestone AI Agent, establishing a new benchmark in customer support through a virtual product specialist that is always available.
MAIA provides instant information on sample handling, method selection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and related tasks, helping to simplify daily workflows and minimize instrument downtime. Interaction with MAIA is possible via an integrated chat interface or through voice commands, enabling faster and more intuitive assistance.
An exclusive capability, MAIA Lens, recognizes consumables and delivers step-by-step instructions for their maintenance or replacement, facilitating overall care of the ETHOS system.
- Instant responses – guidance on sample handling, method selection, and troubleshooting
- Chat or voice interaction – access MAIA via text or voice commands for quicker, more convenient support
- AI Lens recognition – automatic identification of consumables with step-by-step maintenance guidance
- Streamlined operations – minimized downtime and simplified daily workflows
- Expert knowledge – best practices available at any time and in any language.
Available with the Plus configuration on the terminal or through Milestone Connect, MAIA is always ready to assist with microwave digestion activities.
One platform, multiple applications
ETHOS goes beyond a digestion system, functioning as a microwave labstation designed to support laboratories across a wide range of sectors. With the proper selection of rotors and accessories, ETHOS handles complex and demanding sample preparation tasks, from the analysis of organic pollutants, PFAS, microplastics, and other environmental contaminants to the determination of fat, FAMEs, and amino acids in food and feed, as well as MOAH and MOSH analysis.
Its capabilities further extend to advanced materials and geological applications requiring high-temperature fusions and fire assays, as well as to synthetic chemistry workflows.
Sustainable by design
ETHOS reduces instrument redundancy, energy consumption, and the use of consumables, while the Green Prep MW Score delivers measurable insights into sustainability performance.
ETHOS stands as a comprehensive combination of performance, safety, versatility, and sustainability, enabling laboratories to advance elemental analysis workflows with confidence.