Great science, they say, begins with getting the basics right. Poised with this knowledge and as part of aligning with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ongoing commitment to building research capacity, the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), UNILAG hosted a specialised training on the Anton Paar Multiwave Go Plus Microwave Digestion System for final-year and doctoral students of the Faculty of Science, University of Lagos.
Sample preparation is one of the basics to get right in scientific research and it may often be considered the most tedious part of laboratory work. However, without a doubt, sample preparation is one of the most critical steps in ensuring accurate analytical results. Without proper digestion and treatment, even the most sophisticated instruments can produce flawed data. It was for this purpose that IMS, UNILAG facilitated the acquisition of the Anton Paar Multiwave Go Plus Microwave Digestion System, through the sponsorship of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
This recent addition to the University of Lagos community marks a major leap forward in research endeavours as it will notably streamline sample prep with speed, precision, and reproducibility. Conventional methods of sample digestion, which take at least a full day, can now be completed in twenty (20) minutes with minimal margins for error.
With this digestion system, one can prepare twelve (12) samples in 20 minutes; digest up to 3g of sample per vessel; and importantly spend less resources.
This technological upgrade, which is the only microwave digestion system currently on campus, is housed in the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), NIMASA Lab in UNILAG along with a newly acquired Fume Hood. With this acquisition, IMS is determined to strengthen its own academic and research offerings, as well as position itself as a central hub for microwave digestion services across the university and beyond.
What better way to ensure the utilisation of such top-notch equipment than to organise a training for future and budding scientists to understand how it is used, how to care for it and the limitless possibilities that it provides.
The training, conducted by Synapse Technologies Limited, the official supplier of the equipment, featured a comprehensive introduction to the system’s core functions, benefits, and unique selling points. Participants gained an in-depth understanding of the instrument’s role in preparing samples for trace element analysis, especially in fields such as environmental science, food safety, marine research, industrial chemistry, pharmaceuticals, geochemistry, and metallurgy & materials engineering etc.
One of the highlights of the session was the hands-on demonstration, where students were guided through the process of operating the Multiwave Go Plus Microwave Digestion System. From inserting rotor vessels to selecting appropriate digestion parameters, every step was taught with precision and clarity. Participants were also introduced to routine maintenance procedures and key safety protocols, ensuring they understood not just how to use the system, but how to care for it responsibly.
An engaging question-and-answer segment followed the demonstration, with facilitators addressing a range of insightful inquiries. From energy efficiency and digestion time to sample compatibility and system longevity, students’ curiosity was met with expert clarity, deepening their confidence in applying what they had learned.
In her remarks, Professor Abiodun Mary Odukoya, Director of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), expressed pride in the Institute’s growing capacity to support research within and outside the university. She emphasised that IMS is ready and equipped to provide microwave digestion services to other faculties, institutions, and laboratories in need of fast, reliable, and accurate sample preparation solutions. “This is our contribution to enhancing scientific outcomes in Nigeria,” she noted, “because at the core of every accurate result is a properly prepared sample.”
With this training, the University of Lagos re-affirms its commitment to academic excellence, practical skill-building, and research innovation. By sourcing for relevant tools and investing in training that strengthen scientific inquiry; the University is preparing its scholars for real-world impact and meaningful contributions to the research community.
Author: Nike Ogunshakin
Photographer: Islamiat Akanni
Article Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photo Editor: Nike Ogunshakin
