Total Analysis System (TAS) describes a device that automates and includes all necessary steps for chemical analysis of a sample e.g. sampling, sample transport, filtration, dilution, chemical reactions, separation and detection.
A new trend today is creating Micro Total Analysis Systems - µTAS. Such a system shall shrink a whole laboratory to chip-size lab-on-a-chip. Because of its very small size, such a system can be placed close to a sampling site. It also can be very cost effective thinking of chip technologies, sample sizes and analysis time.