Abstract: Sensors for determining the presence and concentration of biomolecules in a biological sample are provided in the form of polymer brushes, which comprise a substrate having a surface modified with a hydrophobic polymer segment, attached to which is a water-dispersible or water-soluble polymer segment having functional groups that bind probes. The method of synthesis of such sensors preferably includes use of controlled free radical polymerization techniques, which allows for controlled architecture polymers to modify the surface of the substrate, and the use of monomers possessing functional groups which do not require activation prior to probe attachment. In this manner functional groups in the polymer chain are removed from the surface, which allows for solution chemistry to be more realistically reproduced with the benefits of a solid bound probe.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for performing high-throughput preparation and screening of salts and polymorphs of drug candidates. The invention is directed towards enhancing the pre-formulation discovery process used for drug development. In particular, processes that determine suitable salts and processes that discover substantially every polymorph that can form from a particular drug candidate are provided. The processes are performed using several apparatuses that are specifically configured to carry-out various steps in a high-throughput characterization process. One such apparatus is configured for synthesizing a plurality of library members based on, for example, a library model generated by a computer system. Another apparatus may filter the synthesized solution to provide a substantially pure mixture that can be subjected to salt or polymorph testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injection of one or more chemical components into a reaction chamber are disclosed. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber for receiving one or more libraries in a fixed position relative to the chamber and configured to form a sealed enclosure. An injection manifold is located within the reaction chamber and selectively movable relative to the libraries. The injection manifold is configured for receiving at least one fluid transfer line coupled to an external source for injection of one or more chemical components into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, programs and apparatus for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. A library design includes a set of sources representing components to be used in preparing the combinatorial library, destinations replying arrangements of cells and mappings, defining one or more distribution patterns for assigning components to cells in the destination arrangement or arrangements. Mappings include gradients and sets of user-defined equations, and are used to calculate the amount of on components to be assigned to a cell or cells in an arrangement. A library design can also include one or more process parameters defined to vary over time or across a plurality of destination cells. The invention outputs a data file defining the library design, including electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mapping, in a format suitable for implementing manually or using automated material handling apparatus.

Abstract: An improved method and assembly, wherein the method generally includes the steps of providing a coated or uncoated sensor element having an exposed sensing surface; attaching the sensor element to a platform so that the exposed sensing surface is spaced from the platform; and optionally applying a protective layer over the platform while maintaining the sensing surface as exposed. The assembly includes a resonator having a free portion with a sensing surface is incorporated onto a platform, components of the sensor are physically shielded from harsh operating conditions, the requisite space is maintained between the free portion of the resonator and the platform, and the sensing surface of the resonator remains exposed for sensing.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for designing a process to be performed at regions of an experiment library, the process involving the application of components at the library regions. Components are associated with regions of the experiment library. Each of the components represents a material or process parameter to be applied at the regions. A plurality of experiment stages are defined, each having one or more associated event types that are selected from predetermined event types and define a start condition for the corresponding stage. For each of the library regions, the components are associated with one or more of the experiment stages. A plurality of component profiles are generated, which represent processes to be performed at the various regions, and which describe the application over time of one or more of the components associated with a corresponding region or regions according to the associated experiment stages.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst comprising platinum, titanium and tungsten. In one or more embodiments, the concentration of platinum is less than 60 atomic percent, and/or the concentration of titanium is at least 20 atomic percent, and/or the concentration of tungsten is at least 25 atomic percent.

Abstract: A method and catalysts and fuel processing apparatus for producing a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas, such as a syngas, contacts a water gas shift (“WGS”) catalyst, in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) at least one of Rh, Ni, Pt, their oxides and mixtures thereof, b) at least one of Cu, Ag, Au, their oxides and mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of K, Cs, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Ir, Pd, Cd, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Te, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof. Another disclosed catalyst formulation comprises Rh, its oxides or mixtures thereof, Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof and Ag, its oxides or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt of one or more of platinum, copper and tungsten, wherein the sum of the concentrations of platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt thereof, is greater than 90 atomic percent.

Abstract: A composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, palladium and titanium, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt of one or more of platinum, palladium and titanium, wherein the sum of the concentrations of platinum, palladium and titanium, including an oxide, carbide and/or salt thereof, is greater than about 90 atomic percent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesis and screening of materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a parallel batch reactor for effecting chemical reactions includes a pressure chamber, and a plurality of reaction wells. Each of the reaction wells is in isolatable fluid communication with the pressure chamber such that during a first pressurizing stage of operation, each of the reaction wells can be simultaneously pressurized through common fluid communication with the pressure chamber, and such that during a second reaction stage of operation, each of the reaction wells can be fluidically isolated from at least one other of said plurality of reaction wells.

Abstract: A method for forming a supported metal-containing powder. The method comprises forming a dispersion of a particulate support in a solution, which comprises a solvent and a dissolved metal. Heat is removed from the dispersion to precipitate the dissolved metal from the solution onto the particulate support. Preferably, enough heat is removed to freeze the solution. Also, the heat is removed is preferably removed from the dispersion by contacting a container containing the dispersion with a cryogenic liquid. After precipitating the dissolved metal onto the particulate support, the particulate support is separated from the solution, preferably by freeze-drying, to yield the supported metal-containing powder, which comprises the particulate support and a precipitated metal thereon.

Abstract: Fluid sensor methods and systems adapted for monitoring and/or controlling distillation operations in fluidic systems, such as batch distillation operations or continuous distillation operations, are disclosed. Preferred embodiments are directed to process monitoring and/or process control for unit operations involving endpoint determination of a distillation, for example, as applied to a liquid-component-switching operation (e.g., a solvent switching operation), a liquid-liquid separation operation, a solute concentration operation, a dispersed-phase concentration operation, among others.

Abstract: A combinatorial method for discovering or optimizing materials is disclosed. The method uses solution-based components that are mixed and dispensed into regions on a substrate for drying and/or heat-treating. The drying and/or heat-treating produces materials that can be tested for a desired property.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combinatorial (i.e., high-throughput) materials research, such as catalysis research, that involves parallel apparatus for simultaneously effecting mechanical treatments such as grinding, mixing, pressing, crushing, sieving, and/or fractionating of such materials are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are useful for mechanically treating catalysis materials and other solid materials, including without limitation, electronic materials such as phosphors, colorants such as pigments, and pharmaceuticals such as crystalline drugs or drug candidates. The simultaneous protocols and parallel apparatus offer substantial improvements in overall throughput for preparing arrays of materials, such as catalysis materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum and copper, wherein the concentration of platinum is greater than 50 atomic percent and less than about 80 atomic percent, and further wherein the composition has a particle size which is less than 35 angstroms. The present invention is further directed to various methods for preparing such a composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injection of one or more chemical components into a reaction chamber are disclosed. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber for receiving one or more libraries in a fixed position relative to the chamber and configured to form a sealed enclosure. An injection manifold is located within the reaction chamber and selectively movable relative to the libraries. The injection manifold is configured for receiving at least one fluid transfer line coupled to an external source for injection of one or more chemical components into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method and catalysts for producing a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas contacts a water gas shift (WGS) catalyst, optionally in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu. Another disclosed catalyst formulation comprises Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Co, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and catalysts and fuel processing apparatus for producing a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method, a CO-containing gas, such as a syngas, contacts a platinum-free ruthenium-cobalt water gas shift (“WGS”) catalyst, in the presence of water and preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C., to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a platinum-free ruthenium-cobalt water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) Co, Mo, their oxides or mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ti, Zr, Cr, Fe, La, Ce, Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof. The WGS catalyst may be supported on a carrier, such as any one member or a combination of alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, magnesia, lanthania, niobia, zeolite, perovskite, silica clay, yttria and iron oxide. Fuel processors containing such water gas shift catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: New compositions, titanium-ligand complexes and arrays with pyridyl-amine ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with titanium metal centers have high performance characteristics, including high styrene incorporation into ethylene/styrene copolymers.