Startups and researchers increasingly rely on custom lab equipment to prototype, experiment, and validate technologies in fields like hydrogen production and materials science. With pressure to deliver high-impact results efficiently, the flexibility and precision offered by custom lab equipment is now more critical than ever.
Renewable Energy Growth Accelerates the Need for Innovation
In 2024, a record 585 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity was added globally — a 15.1% increase year-on-year. This surge is fuelling unprecedented growth in biotech, computing, and climate change mitigation technologies, with custom lab solutions essential for innovation in these areas.
Precision Tools Enabling Advanced Genetic Research
Technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, once considered aspirational, are now being deployed in real-world gene-editing applications. Integrating gene-editing tools with sequencing technologies enables the study of disease-related mutations — a key advancement for precision medicine, powered by flexible instrumentation.
Custom Lab Solutions for Climate and Materials Science
Customised instrumentation is driving innovations in materials science, particularly in carbon capture and green energy. From biogas applications to enhanced rock weathering for CO₂ absorption, researchers require unique setups tailored to the specific demands of climate-related studies.
Why Custom Lab Equipment Matters in Research
While high-end commercial lab tools offer versatility, custom lab equipment is often necessary for niche, complex applications. Whether it’s green hydrogen analysis or novel material validation, tailored lab systems provide a level of functionality that off-the-shelf tools simply can’t match.
Wild Hydrogen: Innovating with Custom GCMS
Wild Hydrogen, a cleantech startup, needed to validate its carbon-negative hydrogen production. Working with Shimadzu, they developed a custom lab equipment solution based on the GCMS-QP2020NX system. This setup enabled them to analyse gas, liquid, and solid outputs effectively — a critical step in proving product purity.
Optimising System Design for Precision and Performance
Shimadzu engineers helped Wild Hydrogen develop a gas analysis method using dual sample loops, PLOT columns, and MS detectors. The result: precise analysis of hydrogen and carbon emissions, enabling reliable validation of “clear hydrogen” and supporting the startup’s sustainability goals.
Collaboration Between Researchers and Manufacturers
Manufacturers like Shimadzu are more than suppliers — they are innovation partners. Through collaboration, they co-develop tailored instruments, provide technical guidance, and adapt systems to changing research needs. These partnerships foster faster innovation cycles and practical impact.
The Future of Research Depends on Adaptability
Whether it’s cleantech, biotech, or materials R&D, the ability to adapt lab tools to specific needs is a growing requirement. Custom lab equipment will continue to power the next wave of scientific breakthroughs, enabling researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
