In theory, distillation is the most effective, most reliable, and least costly way to produce quality reagent-grade water on a laboratory scale. The challenge is to substantially narrow the gap between theory and practice and to design a still that takes full advantage of the distillation process and be truly automatic, self-cleaning, and self-sanitizing. Many years of intensive research and development produced the unique, highly sophisticated, glass still that changed the way cutting-edge laboratories purify water. It operates as a sharp "notch" filter, separating extremely pure water from the full spectrum of water impurities, without contributing new impurities in the process and with no need for costly expendables.

In engineering jargon, the "Q" (Quality) factor of an electronic filter indicates its sharpness; the higher the "Q" factor, the higher the selectivity. The still was quickly dubbed the "High-Q" and its logo became a sharp notch. A new company was formed to build and market the High-Q still, and the company was named after its premier product.

Today, High-Q, Inc. is committed to designing and building laboratory water purification systems that push the envelope for purity, ease of operation, and reliability. High-Q manufactures and sells a range of laboratory water purification systems worldwide.