On the microvolume measurement from 0.1 μL up to 100 mL using a microsyringe and micropipette

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v15i2.1947

Keywords:

micropipettes, microsyringes, gravimetric method, metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty

Abstract

This work focuses on the measurement of small liquid volumes, comparing results obtained using the gravimetric method with different resolutions. The main objective of this study is to characterize the behaviour of microsyringes and micropipettes during the measurement of microvolumes in the range between 0.1 and 1 µL using the gravimetric method, with metrological traceability, and compare the results in the range up to 100 µL. The methodology addresses the challenges associated with measurements below 1 µL by establishing metrological traceability through mass measurement using the gravimetric method. Given that the smallest standard weight is nominally 1 mg, relying solely on the dispensed liquid volume would result in a lack of metrological traceability for volumes under 1 µL. To enhance reliability, eleven independent measurements are taken at each volume point to calculate an average. The results are presented, to conclude the analysis, and simulations were conducted to explore potential improvements by employing a scale with a resolution of 0.001 mg, along with its associated measurement uncertainty.

Author Biographies

Leandro S. Sampaio, SJS Serviços Ltda

PhD from the Graduate Program in Metrology (PPGM) at Inmetro, Master's in Metrology and Quality from Inmetro, with a degree in Biological Sciences, and an MBA in Total Quality Management from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF). He is currently the Technical Manager and authorized signatory of the accredited calibration laboratory at SJS Serviços Ltda, specializing in the maintenance, calibration, and qualification of measurement instruments since 1998 across various quantities such as Mass, Volume, Pressure, Temperature, Humidity, and Physicochemical. He holds Lead Auditor training from Inmetro for ABNT NBR ISO 9001 and is a Specialist Assessor for CGCRE under ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025 in the areas of Mass and Volume.

Mila Rosendahl Avelino, National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality - Inmetro

Mechanical Engineer from State Uni of Rio de Janeiro, where I have been teaching since 1994. Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from PEM/COPPE/UFRJ, with specialization in Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics in England at the University of Surrey. I was a researcher at the University of Miami and NATO specialist from 2002 to 2004, president of major international events, including SAE International 'Fuels & Lubricants 2005,' and a member of the SAE Section RJ council. At UERJ, I was responsible for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the implementation of the Renewable Energy Research Center (CEPER / UERJ), and the creation of laboratories in Wind Energy and Transport Phenomena. I coordinated research and extension projects funded by CNPq, FINEP, and FAPERJ. I worked in the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering at UERJ, teaching courses and supervising students. Since 2015 at UNESA, I have been teaching undergraduate courses, developing a microfluidics research project, and serving on the Applied Research Council, participating in committees related to research and extension. I started my career at Inmetro in 2011 in Legal Metrology as a technological researcher in metrology and industrial quality. Since 2016, I have been working in the Fluid Laboratory of the Scientific Metrology Division. For over a decade, I have worked with the CNPq research group on Nano and Microfluidic and Microsystems. A theoretical-numerical-experimental study was developed on microchannels with the aim of controlling temperature in microdevices. This achievement earned me the ICHMT Hartnett Irvine Medal in 2010. At Laflu, I am responsible for liquid density measurements and liquid volume (for oil traceability). I represented Inmetro at the Working Group on Fluid Flow in 2018 during the International Symposium on Fluid Flow Measurement (ISFFM) in Querétaro, Mexico, and at the committee organized by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), which coordinates measurement, calibration, and comparative capabilities for national metrology institutes in the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM). Areas of interest: metrology, traceability, fluid flow intercomparison, microfluidics, advanced experimental methods, uncertainty analysis for primary standards of viscosity, surface tension, liquid, volume, and liquid density. Alternative energies and emerging technologies are also topics of my research.

Luis V. G. Tarelho, National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (INMETRO)

Physicist by the Physics Institute of the University of São Paulo (USP) in 1992, master in Basic Nuclear Technology by the Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research (IPEN) -USP in 1995 and PhD in Nuclear Technology- Applications by IPEN-USP in 2001. He was researcher at IPEN-CNEN from 1998 to 2008 in the area of ​​Lasers and Applications. he became a researcher at the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology in 2008, where he works with the applications of optics and spectroscopy in the standardization and dissemination of the quantities of the International System of Units. From 2008 to 2011 he developed projects for the standardization and dissemination of the length quantity. Currently, he develop projects in time and frequency metrology to achieve the standardization of quantity time and frequency and dissemination by electro-optical , optical and satellite methods. He is a partner of the Brazilian Society of Physics (SBF), Brazilian Society of Optics and Photonics (SBOF) and Brazilian Society of Metrology (SBM). He was a fiscal advisor to SBM in the 2017-2019 biennium. He published 40 articles in journals, 3 book chapters and 55 abstracts extended in national and international congresses. He supervised 4 undergraduate students, 9 undergraduate students and 8 master's dissertations. He currently advises 3 doctor students and 1 master student. Collaborates with researchers from the Atomic and Molecular Optics group at the USP Physics Institute in São Carlos - São Paulo (SP), with researchers from the Instituto de Fomento Industrial (IFI) of the Center for Aerospace Technology (CTA) in São Josá dos Campos-SP, with researchers from the National Institute of Information Technology (ITI) in Brasilia and with researchers from the Paris Observatory of the National Testing Laboratory in France

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Published

2026-05-26

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Research Papers

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Copyright (c) 2026 Leandro S. Sampaio, Mila Rosendahl Avelino, Luis V. G. Tarelho

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