Microwave Digestion

Microwave digestion is commonly used to prepare a variety of samples from food and agriculture to metals, ceramics and mining and anything in between. The most recent applications developed are for hemp and cannabis as well as lithium battery materials. CEM microwave digestion systems are also used around the world to test soils, sludges and water to ensure our environment is clean and habitable.

CEM invented microwave digestion in conjunction with the National Bureau of Standards(NBS) now NIST back in 1985 and received a special IR 100 award as a result of this groundbreaking invention. It revolutionized sample preparation in both the speed of the process as well as the difficult organic and inorganic samples that previously could not be completely digested. Hot blocks and hot plates could not provide the clear digestions needed for analysis by AA or ICP-OES. CEM’s first system, the MDS 81-D, played a big role in digesting soil, plant and fish tissues at USEPA designated superfund sites around the US which were created by dumping of toxic waste into streams, rivers and landfills.

Products

Sample Preparation and Analysis of Cosmetics Using Sequential Microwave Digestion

Elemental analysis of cosmetics is necessitated by both governmental regulation and guidance, as well as safety of potential consumers. It is important that there is a safe, rapid, and efficient way to digest these cosmetics to achieve a sensitive and acc

Application Note

Sample Preparation and Analysis of Dietary Supplements Using Sequential Microwave Digestion

Elemental analysis of dietary supplement is necessitated by both governmental regulation and need for human health. The automated BLADE™ sequential microwave digestion system can safely operate at temperatures and pressures required to provide a more rapi

Application Note

Sample Preparation and Analysis of Materials used in Lithium Ion Battery Production Using Sequential Microwave Digestion

Currently there is a drive for research, development and implementation of the next generation of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery high-purity raw materials for improved performance of the basic battery components.

Application Note

Digestion and Analysis of Food Samples

Accurate trace metals determination in foods is critical for both labelling purposes and consumer safety. The main sources of food-related contamination come from environmental sources, eg soil and water, but contamination can also occur as the food is be

On Demand Webinar

Tips and Tricks for Optimizing Sample Preparation and Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Components

Early research in rechargeable Li-ion batteries stretches back as far as the 1960s with the first commercially available rechargeable battery becoming available in 1991. With the more recent onset of cellular telephones, electronic wearables, and electric

Poster

A Comparison of Heavy Metals in Plant Based and Animal Meats and Fish

AOAC 2022 Microwave Digestion Poster

Blog Post

Future Speed of the BLADE Microwave Digestion System

Processing samples quickly and efficiently is critical for laboratory operation. The combination of the high energy focused cavity and rapid vortexing of the sample provide for complete digestions in as little as five minutes, including cool down.

Blog Post

Future Simplicity of the BLADE Microwave Digestion System

The BLADE is operated with an integrated 10-inch high-definition touchscreen and allows for all run conditions, including graphs, to be viewed simultaneously on the main screen.

Blog Post

Future Flexibility of the BLADE Microwave Digestion System

The BLADE simplifies your work flow by using balance interface and barcode scanning technology to speed sample recording and eliminate transcription errors.

Blog Post

Future Performance of the BLADE Microwave Digestion System

CEM pioneered the first microwave digestion system in 1985. Over the years CEM has continued to innovate new technology for microwave digestion.