Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously extracting liquid in at least two separate streams from a vessel, continuously diluting and/or conditioning a first stream in one or more stages, producing, as a result of the extraction, dilution and/or conditioning, the first stream consisting of a dispersion of particles to be characterized, and diluting and/or conditioning a second stream, the second stream consisting of soluble components; and subjecting the first and second streams to various characterizing measurements.

Abstract: An improved evaporative light scattering detector apparatus for volatile samples is provided. Conventionally incomplete evaporation of the mobile phase (solvent) cannot be achieved for volatile samples as solvent cannot be fully removed at low temperature because the vapor becomes saturated. At higher temperatures the samples evaporate without forming an aerosol. By adding a dry evaporator gas to the sample before entering a drift tube avoids saturation of the vapor and permits complete evaporation of the solvent at low temperatures.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel composite magnetic bead and a method for making the composite magnetic bead. The composite magnetic bead is comprised of a matrix formed from vinyl monomers throughout which is distributed primary beads, each primary bead of which is a magnetizable metal oxide encapsulated in a rigid polymeric coating. The matrix structure allows the composite magnetic bead to swell in organic solvents without loss of the intermeshed primary beads. Further, the matrix can be functionalized to allow the covalent bonding of sites useful for organic syntheses.The composite magnetic beads are made utilizing a core-shell polymerization techinque under conditions which preserve the oxidation state of the magnetizable metal oxide in the primary particles. In one embodiment, primary beads, each having a hydrophobic exterior surface, are dispersed in an inert solvent with a vinyl monomer and a crosslinking agent for that monomer to form a dispersed phase.