Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: A dye binding method for protein analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of preparing an initial reference dye solution of unknown concentration from an initial reference dye concentrate and creating an electronic signal based upon the absorbance of the initial reference dye solution. Thereafter, an electronic signal is created based upon the absorbance of a dye filtrate solution prepared from the initial reference dye solution and an initial protein sample. The absorbance signals from the reference dye solution and the dye filtrate solution are sent to a processor that compares the respective absorbances and calculates the protein content of the protein sample based upon the difference between the absorbances.

Abstract: An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A dye binding method for protein analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of preparing an initial reference dye solution of unknown concentration from an initial reference dye concentrate and creating an electronic signal based upon the absorbance of the initial reference dye solution. Thereafter, an electronic signal is created based upon the absorbance of a dye filtrate solution prepared from the initial reference dye solution and an initial protein sample. The absorbance signals from the reference dye solution and the dye filtrate solution are sent to a processor that compares the respective absorbances and calculates the protein content of the protein sample based upon the difference between the absorbances.

Abstract: A method of conducting microwave-assisted high pressure high temperature chemistry is disclosed. The method includes the steps of digesting a sample in a strong acid at a temperature of at least 200° C. in a pressure resistant vessel that includes a lid while exerting a defined force against the lid in order to maintain gases under pressure in the vessel; directing gas under excess pressure from the vessel into a circumferential passage defined by the vessel and its pressure resistant lid; and directing the gas from the circumferential passage outwardly from the lid while preventing gas from flowing outwardly over the edge of the vessel.

Abstract: A protein analysis instrument and method are disclosed. The method includes mixing a binding dye composition and a protein sample using a homogenizer, measuring a parameter selected from the group consisting of the speed of the homogenizer and the resistance of the mixture to the homogenizer, adjusting the speed of the homogenizer based upon the measured parameter, pumping unreacted dye composition from the mixture and to a calorimeter, and measuring the absorbance of the dye composition in the calorimeter. Aspects of the invention also include inserting a spout into a sample cup at a position where the spout opening is positioned to avoid foam and precipitate generated by the mixing step and above the bottom of the sample cup and thereafter pumping the dye composition from the mixture in the sample cup through the spout and to a colorimeter.

Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing vessel assembly for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The vessel assembly includes a microwave-transparent, heat expandable reaction vessel having at least two cylindrical portions axially adjacent one another, with one of the portions having a diameter larger than the diameter of the other portion. A transition portion is between the two cylindrical portions, the vessel mouth is in the larger-diameter portion, and a cylindrical retaining sleeve surrounds the vessel.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing vessel assembly for high pressure, microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The vessel assembly includes a cylindrical reaction vessel formed of a material that is substantially transparent to microwave radiation. The vessel has angular walls, one closed end for retaining reactants in the lower portions of the vessel, and one open end that defines a mouth for the vessel. The mouth of the cylinder vessel has a lip that is beveled inwardly from the open end. A microwave-transparent solid floating plug closes the mouth of the reaction vessel; with the plug have a frustum portion for engaging the beveled lip when the plug is placed in the mouth of the vessel. A lid exerts a defined axial force against the plug for sealing the plug in the open end of the cylinder with the frustum engaging the lip.

Abstract: A dye binding method for protein analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of preparing an initial reference dye solution of unknown concentration from an initial reference dye concentrate and creating an electronic signal based upon the absorbance of the initial reference dye solution. Thereafter, an electronic signal is created based upon the absorbance of a dye filtrate solution prepared from the initial reference dye solution and an initial protein sample. The absorbance signals from the reference dye solution and the dye filtrate solution are sent to a processor that compares the respective absorbances and calculates the protein content of the protein sample based upon the difference between the absorbances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately determining the fat and oil content of a sample using microwave drying and NMR analysis is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a low mass, porous, hydrophilic and lipophilic sample pad that ensures that the entire sample is subjected to NMR analysis. The method and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for rapidly determining the fat and oil content of samples collected during a production process and for process or quality control.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing pressure-maintaining lid for reaction vessels in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The lid includes a rigid perimeter, a rigid center load-bearing portion, and a flexible portion connecting the rigid perimeter to the center load-bearing portion so that the center portion can move when said flexing portion flexes. The lid can be used in conjunction with a vessel assembly. The vessel assembly can include a microwave-transparent, heat expandable reaction vessel having at least two cylindrical portions axially adjacent one another with one of the portions having a diameter larger than the diameter of the other portion, a transition portion between the two cylindrical portions, a vessel mouth in the larger-diameter portion, and a cylindrical retaining sleeve around the vessel.

Abstract: An instrument for carrying out controlled microwave assisted chemical processes is particularly useful for handling relatively small samples. The instrument includes a needle, and a needle seal adjacent the needle and having a shaft coaxial with the needle and in communication with the needle. A pressure transducer is opposite the needle seal from the needle and in communication with the shaft. A housing holds the needle to the needle seal and the needle seal to the transducer. A chamber is formed between the housing and the needle seal. A lateral shaft goes through the needle seal from the coaxial shaft to the chamber in the housing, and a valve is in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions and an associated method are disclosed. The instrument typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for carrying out peptide synthesis comprising deprotecting an Fmoc-protected amino acid with piperazine while applying microwave irradiation to the deprotection reaction.

Abstract: A solid phase peptide synthesis method is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting an amino group in its protected form that is protected with a protecting group that includes an ?,?-unsaturated sulfone; washing the deprotected acid in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol; coupling the deprotected acid to a resin-based peptide or a resin-based amino acid; and washing the coupled composition in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the accelerated synthesis of peptides by the solid phase method. The instrument includes a microwave cavity, a microwave source in communication with the cavity, a column in the cavity formed of a material that is transparent to microwave radiation, a solid phase peptide support resin in the column, respective filters for maintaining the solid phase support resin in the column, a first passageway for adding starting compositions to the column, a second passageway for removing compositions from the column, and a third passageway for circulating compositions from the column into the third passageway and back to the column.