Analytical Laboratory at CXI TUL opens a new era

Formerly the Laboratory of Chemical Remediation Processes, it has a new name after more than 12 years since its establishment: the Analytical Laboratory of CXI TUL. It still operates at CXI TUL, with a stable team and good instrumentation. It provides its services not only within TUL, but also externally to operators of swimming pools and swimming pools, drinking water sources and private individuals.  In 2024, the laboratory plans to purchase new instruments as well as to further expand the tests offered. "Over the years, the laboratory has undergone significant changes in both personnel and instrumentation, which has led to an expansion of our analytical capabilities," says laboratory manager Lenka Lacinová.

Originally, the laboratory was part of a team focusing on the remediation of polluted environments under the leadership of Miroslav Černík. The main task of the laboratory was to perform laboratory and semi-operational tests, participate in field remediation and analysis of contaminants, hence its name.

With the arrival of additional staff in connection with the reorganisation of the health institutes, the possibilities of the analyses carried out were expanded to include microbiology, classical chemistry and steriliser control, which enabled the commercialisation of the services offered. In 2011, the laboratory became part of the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations (CXI) at TUL and received accreditation from the Czech Institute for Accreditation. The idea of changing the name to better describe the laboratory's activities and to appeal to customers has been in play for some time. The move was made as part of the successful re-accreditation of the laboratory this year and from May 2024 the laboratory will operate under the name "Analytical Laboratory CXI TUL".

A change of name does not imply a change in the scope of the laboratory's activities. It continues to provide analytical services for projects and contracts carried out by research teams at CXI and the University, particularly in the field of environmental applications of nanomaterials. The commercial activities of the laboratory are currently mainly focused on the analysis of drinking water, bathing water and the control of the efficiency of sterilisation devices. The full range of activities is listed in the Annex to the Certificate of Accreditation, which is available on the laboratory's website. In addition to accredited testing, the laboratory also offers analysis of selected organic substances by liquid and gas chromatography, including drug residues, pesticides and PFOA.

The laboratory plans to focus more on promoting its activities and attracting new customers, e.g. from industry. "We are ready to respond to changes in legislation and new customer requirements, to expand our range of services and to accredit new methods. We are currently planning the introduction and accreditation of Cr6+ and Fe2+ methods for use in remediation contracts and CXI projects," says Lenka Lacinová.

Thanks to the NANOENVI CZ project, the laboratory will upgrade its instrumentation in the coming months: a new ICP-OES instrument for elemental analysis and a TOC analyser for the determination of carbon forms, which will be extended to include the possibility of determining these forms in solid samples. The laboratory also plans to make greater use of the LABSYSTEM database to facilitate the administration and maintenance of documentation in the laboratory in digital form, including the preparation of invoicing documents.

The laboratory successfully coped with the economic downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of rising energy and other operating costs. Today, it has very good instrumentation and a stable team of both experienced researchers and talented young colleagues. With the new name, the laboratory symbolically begins a new phase. "I believe that we will not only be able to maintain the high standard of our work and our existing customers, but also successfully respond to the increasing demands and requirements of customers and legislation and further expand our area of operation," adds Lenka Lacinová.