Connecting Laboratories with
Data-Driven Automation Software
Automation, both digital and physical is becoming an integral part of laboratory processes and workflows. Advanced
tools, instrumentation, and robotics have replaced manual,error-prone steps with automated processes requiring minimal
human intervention. These developments have greatly increased laboratory throughput, allowing researchers to focus
on more meaningful tasks.
Though useful, these advanced tools and new technologies
can increase complexity and disrupt existing workflows.
Connectivity is also a challenge for laboratories — the software in various instruments may not support a standardized,
bidirectional flow of information.1 This may prevent users fromacquiring/consuming data to drive their workflow and hamper their ability to seamlessly connect physically automatedsystems/devices with a laboratory information management
system (LIMS).
Powerful automation software can overcome these challenges and deliver the desired results by facilitating data format
harmonization across different devices and systems andstreamlining the communication process. The bidirectional
flow of information between the various systems and instruments, supports the users in their workflows and increases
data accessibility.
Thermo Scientific™ Momentum™ Workflow Scheduling
Software is a software platform that enables users to effi-

ciently define, execute, and monitor scientific processes andworkflows on their physically integrated robot & instrument(s)systems.2 The easy-to-use software possesses intelligent
decision-making capabilities, powerful scheduling control, unrivalled connectivity, and flexibility — all of which contribute toits superior performance. Momentum software covers a wide
range of applications and is especially suited for drug discovery and development (both large and small molecule).3
This guide will discuss the importance of incorporating automation software into laboratory workflows to improve thequality and efficiency of operations. We will also highlightthe key features of the latest automated software available
to simplify laboratory workflows.

Choosing the Right Software
Solution for Your Laboratory
It is important that new additions to a laboratory increase theefficiency and throughput of workflows. Apart from superior
design, it is important that the software has connectivity
capabilities to support human interaction and usability. Momentum software enables higher levels of performance andreliability in a powerful yet easy-to-use visual environment.
Using an array of built-in tools, the software enables autono-mous data integration to laboratory workflows in real-time.3

DesignTwo separate user interfaces (Dashboard and General), makeMomentum software easy-to-use for both new and experienced users. The software also supports plug-in architecture,
allowing quick and efficient integration of third-party tools suchas data analysis and management. Plugins enable the easy
integration and simple upgrade path to the most advancedlaboratory automation platform on the market.3,4

Key Features
Software connectivity tools allow for real-time, flexible,autonomous data integration. Momentum can both receive
requests from an external service and initiate requests toexternal services (3rd party applications). Momentum Software
RESTful API receives requests from external services (e.g.,LIMS, ELNs, CDS, etc) and responds accordingly (e.g., statusof system, work queue progress, adding work, etc). Momentum’s Unite Module initiates requests to external services(e.g., LIMS and ELNs) so the requested data (e.g., plate map
containing both plate and well level data matched to specificplate’s barcode) is sent to the automated system where it canbe consumed, used, duplicated, manipulated, formated, andstored within Momentum for use during work execution.2,4Another user-friendly feature of the Momentum software is
the flowchart style of process building which makes available twelve different flow controls, which help to manage
the flow of a process, ensuring maximum control of thesystem. Users can readily see and understand their scientific processes plus how work will be executed within thesystem. These flow controls can be used in conjunction
with scripting action blocks also. Flow controls allow users
to co-ordinate operations in parallel, set time constraints,
repeat processes, and even add work to a running batch,loop, update variables in real-time, move data between
wells, etc. The software assists users throughout the entire
workflow to reduce rework and errors.2
Momentum software is equipped with various modes –normal/simulation, attended/unattended for users to develop
and test protocols ahead of committing samples and use
built-in error handling during production run-time. Momentum Integrated Security provides three levels of access;operator (able to run predefined workflows), expert (enables

users to create workflows and edit various elements withinthe software) and administrators (provides user management
and full access to all software features), providing maximum
tiered flexibility. In addition to secure accounts, data features
such as variables, expression builders, and attributes allow
total control over the workflows.4
Momentum software can be used with other hardware solutions
such as Thermo Scientific™ inSPIRE™ Collaborative Laboratory
Automation Platform and the Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™
UHPLC Loader.5,6 The inSPIRE platform is a collaborative laboratory automation system that integrates everything required forthe automated workflow in a configurable, touch-enabled, andversatile platform. The Vanquish UHPLC Loader is a dedicateddevice that is an intermediary robotic transferring mechanism between the Vanquish HPLC and a Momentum controlled robotic
sample preparation system. End-to-end analytics workflows arerealized between upstream sample preparation and downstream
analysis, with little-to-no human intervention.5,6Applications
Thermo Fisher Scientific has worked with many companies,
over a range of applications including:7
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•
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•
•
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Large molecule (antibody) upstream, downstream,
formulation, and quality assessment workflows
High throughput screening, closed-loop/secondary
screening, target identification
Automated analytical workflows incorporating HPLC &MS instruments
Proteomics workflows
Functional genomics
Synthetic biology
High content imaging
Cell & tissue (including organoids) culture
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can also be supported with such advanced automation software

You can read an in-depth case study based on the real-life application of the Momentum software in the lastsection of this guide.

How it works: An example workflow where the Unite
Module handles simple through multi-part/form-data

1. Unite Module requests information from external source (e.g.,LIMS) via that sources API (e.g., REST, SOAP, .net, etc)

workflow and overcome the challenges associated with thetraditional workflow.4

Superior Connectivity
Connecting automation systems into the data ecosystemis critical in today’s modern laboratory. Connectivity alsoenables the synchronization of work amongst the various
laboratory sites. These remarkable data capabilities ofthe Momentum software are facilitated through its built-in
RESTful API and Unite module.
In addition to REST API, the Momentum software supports
a wide variety of technologies, such as SOAP, .net binaries,SQL, and other implementations.

2. Transfer external information to a container

Advanced Functionality
In addition to its superior connectivity, the Momentum software comes with advanced functionality and flexibility. Its
open instrument design enables users to integrate a varietyof tracks, robots, and other movers with an ever-expanding library of over 400 different instruments. This enables
researchers to create a complete system that meets thespecific needs of their laboratory.2

3. Copy information from one container to another

CSV,
JSON,other…
4. Data Builder formats information for Momentum or external
destination compability

CSV,
JSON,XML,other…
5. Unite Module uploads formatted information to external destination

Figure 1: A workflow of the Unite Module and how it
handles simple through multi-part/form data

Optimizing the Workflow
With its advanced, flexible and user-friendly features, theMomentum software enables researchers to optimize theirUsing the dynamic scheduling and intuitive process creation
present in the Momentum software, users can keep track ofmultiple containers and individual wells throughout the entire
workflow. Containers are identified using distinct attributes(such as users, date, and process step), which helps researchers select specific assay plates and pass them acrossto subsequent processes. In addition, the barcode feature canbe used to easily locate a plate anywhere in the process.2
The Momentum software, with its remarkable features,supports process execution traceability and ensuresdata integrity to enable CFR21 Part 11 compliance. Data
integrity implies that the data records are complete, intact,and maintained within their original context. Ensuring data
integrity is essential for reliable and trustworthy records thatcan withstand scrutiny during regulatory inspections.2
The Momentum software also enables exceptional sample
and inventory management. Inventory or “persistent” containers can be used within and across multiple workflows.

Users can attach user-defined information to containers
at both the container and well level allowing for real-timeprocess control and decision-making based on machine
logic evaluation. Inventory containers can be used in all
workflows – especially those which require full traceabilityof the sample across more than one plate (e.g., nucleic
acid extraction, cell growth and treatment, etc).4

Ease-of-use
The simplified and streamlined dashboard display,equipped with touchscreen controls, makes the software
easy to use for beginners as well as experienced users.
The display contains three sections – one to monitor thesystem, another to simply add work, and a third to monitor
the status of the run.4Users can easily build workflows using the graphical dragand-drop process editor – the process is as simple as creating a flow chart. The logic of a process can be easily managed using flow controls, which may be nested and/or usedin combination to create the desired behavior. Flow controls
also enable researchers to coordinate operations in parallel,
set time constraints, repeat processes, and add work to an
ongoing batch, with ease.2

The integrated system enables better instrument control
and maintenance, increasing productivity. Additionally,
the user-friendly interface enables instruments to be easily
switched from online to offline and vice versa. Instruments
can be brought offline, for manual use, maintenance, orto change instruments in the system. Laboratory staff canstill access and use equipment present on the integrated
system for maximum productivity. If the offline device isneeded again, Momentum provides a readable, actionableprompt to bring the device back online.
Momentum software’s unique design guides the user
throughout process creation to maximize efficiency anduptime and reduce errors. For example, the built-in PARS
(Prevent, Anticipate, React, and Solve problems) error-handling approach combines intelligent guidance during process creation, robot self-healing, runtime error mitigation,with easy and intuitive error recovery.2

Applying Momentum Software toReal-life Applications
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major economic andsocial disruptions. Laboratories across the world played apivotal role in controlling the deadly virus and were hugely

Figure 2: Challenges for diagnostic laboratories around COVID-19

Figure 3: The Thermo Fisher Scientific AmplitudeTM solution
impacted; they were required to quickly scale their existing
workflow while ensuring the quality and reproducibility of
their results. Laboratories faced several challenges (seefigure 2) during the pandemic, including increased test
demand, access to trained staff and logistics issues.
Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Amplitude Solution is a new automated molecular diagnostic solution that offers maximum
throughput with minimal hands-on time, equipment, andmanpower. Capable of analyzing up to 8,000 COVID-19
specimens in 24 hours, this technology enabled laboratories to quickly scale up COVID-19 testing to control thespread of the virus and help communities return to workand school.
In addition to the Momentum workflow software and TaqPath COVID-10 HT kit, the Amplitude solution consists oftwo hardware modules connected by Thermo ScientificTM
SampleManagerTM LIMS Software. The SampleManager
LIMS is connected to the user’s Laboratory Information
System (LIS), where the raw samples are received and accessioned as per the user’s standardized procedure.

Module 1 – Tube to Plate transfer
Module 1 is equipped with a Tecan Fluent 1080 Liquidhandler system that transfers samples from tubes to plates

prepares samples for extraction on the second module.
The runtime for module 1 is 55 minutes for a batch consisting of 376 samples and it can be run with just two
employees (a total hands-on time less than one hour per
eight-hour shift). Upon completion of its run, module one
yields four 96 deep-well plates containing patient specimen, along with the reagents required to perform sample
extraction. A laboratory technician will then transfer the four
deep well “extraction” blocks to Module 2.

Module 2 – Extraction to result
In Module 2, the Momentum software system performs
RNA extraction, qPCR, and analysis of qPCR data to evaluate whether sample tests positive, negative or needs to beretested for the presence of COVID-19 viral material.
Momentum workflow scheduling software is used to control the instruments and software devices in Module 2 andexecute the associated testing workflow. The Unite module
provides real-time bi-directional communication with SampleManager throughout the workflow.
Since its launch, the Amplitude Solution has been deployed in more than 100 systems worldwide. Themo Fisher
Scientific has also delivered 14+ custom systems, sincethe pandemic, to support customers working on COVID-19

Figure 4: The workflow of module 2

across the globe. However its use extends beyond just
COVID-19 research; it has also been used in other research
fields such as drug discovery, drug development, and biotechnology.

Automation Is Changing
Laboratory Work
Thermo Scientific’s Momentum workflow scheduling software can help laboratories embrace digital transformationand streamline their scientific processes. Its unique featuresand intelligent data-driven decision-making capabilities
facilitate dynamic connectivity allowing users to adapt
easily to complex real-time conditions, revolutionizing theirworkflows while maintaining superior performance.

2018. Accessed March 24, 2022.
2. Optimizing Automated Processes and Workflows. Thermo Scientific. https://www.thermofisher.
com/document-connect/document-connect.html?url=https://assets.thermofisher.com/
TFS-Assets%2FCMD%2Fbrochures%2Foptimizing-automated-processes-workflows-en.pdf.
Accessed March 24, 2022.
3. Thermo Scientific Momentum Laboratory Automation Workflow Software. Thermo Scientific.
https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/brochures/br-momentum-lab-automationworkflow-software-en.pdf. Published 2010. Accessed March 24, 2022.
4. Laboratory Automation Solutions for automating science. Thermo Scientific. https://www.thermofisher.com/document-connect/document-connect.html?url=https://assets.
thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets%2FCMD%2Fbrochures%2Fbr-90538-lab-automationautomating-science-br90538-en.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed March 24, 2022.
5. Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish inSPIRE™ system for Biopharma Analysis. Thermo Scientific.
https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Flyers/fl-90360-vanquish-inspirefl90360-en.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed March 24, 2022.
6. End-to-end analytical workflow solution—Vanquish UHPLC Loader. Thermo Scientific. https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/CMD/Flyers/fl-10205-vanquish-loader-fl10205-en.pdf.
Published 2021. Accessed March 24, 2022.
7. Momentum™ Workflow Scheduling Software. Product Overview. Thermo Scientific. https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/MOMENTUM. Accessed March 24, 2022.

References

8. Thermo Fisher Scientific AmplitudeTMSolution. Thermo Scientific. https://www.thermofisher.
com/in/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/amplitude-solution.
html. Accessed March 24, 2022.

1. Alex Scott. Connecting the lab, down to the pipette. Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN).
https://cen.acs.org/business/informatics/Connecting-lab-down-pipette/96/i18. Published

9. TaqPath™ COVID-19 Combo Kit. Product Overview. Thermo Scientific. https://www.
thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A47814. Accessed March 24, 2022.

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