Patents Assigned to Symyx Technologies
  • Patent number: 6737026
    Abstract: A chemical processing microsystem useful for identifying and optimizing materials (e.g., catalysts) that enhance chemical processes or for characterizing and/or optimizing chemical processes is disclosed. The chemical processing microsystem comprises a plurality of microreactors 600 and, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of microseparators 900 integral with the chemical processing microsystem 10. The microreactors 600 are preferably diffusion-mixed microreactors formed in a plurality of laminae that include a modular, interchangeable candidate-material array 100. The material array 100 comprises a plurality of different candidate materials (e.g., catalysts), preferably arranged at separate, individually addressable portions of a substrate (e.g., wafer). The microseparators 900 are similarly formed in a plurality of laminae that include a modular, interchangeable adsorbent array 700.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Sam Bergh, Shenheng Guan
  • Patent number: 6738529
    Abstract: Computer programs and computer-implemented methods are disclosed for extracting and analyzing combinatorial chemical data from images. The invention receives a stream of data, identifies a plurality of regions of interest and determines a series of values for one or more regions of interest. The library includes a plurality of members. The data stream includes a series of images of the library. Each region of interest corresponds to a location in each of the images and to a location in the library. The series of values for each region includes a value for each of the images. Particular embodiments have the following features. The invention calculates a figure of merit for a library member from each series of values. The stream of data comprises a series of images generated at a frequency of greater than about 1, 6, 12 or 30 frames per second. The series of images is captured from a beginning of a combinatorial experiment to an end of a commercial experiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Crevier, William B. Archibald, Marc Hornbostel, Dieter Schaefer, Thomas Boussie
  • Patent number: 6736017
    Abstract: A library of materials is screened for mechanical properties such as strength, tack, frictional resistance or other properties. A library of materials is provided. A stimulus such as a stress or force is provided to each member of the library. A response (e.g., a strain) of each of the materials due to the stimulus is measured and the response, the stimulus or both are recorded and related to provide data. Thereafter, the data is analyzed to reach conclusions regarding properties of the material samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mansky
  • Patent number: 6732574
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring viscosity or related properties of fluid samples in parallel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes and reservoirs in fluid communication with the tubes. The tubes provide flow paths for the fluid samples, which are initially contained within the reservoirs. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for filling the reservoirs with the fluid samples, and a device for determining volumetric flow rates of fluid samples flowing from the reservoirs through the plurality of tubes simultaneously. The disclosed apparatus is capable of measuring viscosity or related properties of at least five fluid samples simultaneously. Useful reservoirs and tubes include syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Hajduk, Paul Mansky
  • Patent number: 6730228
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing a polymer sample and in preferred embodiments, libraries of polymer samples, in a comprehensive, directly-coupled multi-dimensional liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The first and second dimensions are preferably high-performance liquid chromatography dimensions, such as for example, a first dimension adapted for determining composition (e.g. adapted for mobile-phase gradient elution chromatography, including reverse phase chromatography, adsorption chromatography and the like), and a second dimension adapted for determining molecular weight or particle size (e.g., adapted for size exclusion chromatography, including gel permeation chromatography).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Petro, Son Hoai Nguyen, Eric D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6726843
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the evaluation of interactions between substances using inverse chromatography are disclosed. Preferably, interactions are evaluated between a liquid test sample and a solid phase comprising a receptor in the presence of a liquid carrier. Preferably, one of the modifying agent or receptor are members of a combinatorial library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen, Jacqueline M. Regan
  • Patent number: 6727096
    Abstract: Computer programs and computer-implemented methods for monitoring the progress and properties of parallel chemical reactions. The invention repeatedly receives a measured value or values associated with the contents of each of a plurality of reactor vessels and displays the measured over the course of a combinatorial chemical reaction. Reaction parameters associated with individual reactor vessels are changed in response to the value measured during the reaction. Reaction parameters include temperature, pressure, stirring speed. The reaction occurring in one or more reactor vessels is quenched in response to values measured during the reaction. The measured values are used to calculate experimental results including temperature change, pressure change, percent conversion of starting material, and viscosity. The measured values and experimental results are displayed. In another aspect, the invention features a method for controlling a combinatorial chemical reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei Wang, G. Cameron Dales
  • Patent number: 6727361
    Abstract: New ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with pyridyl-amine ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. Certain of these catalysts with hafnium metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, isobutylene or styrene. Certain of the catalysts are particularly effective at polymerizing propylene to high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene in a solution process at a variety of polymerization conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne M. LaPointe, Eric D. Carlson, Thomas Crevier
  • Publication number: 20040074303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20040074302
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20040077091
    Abstract: A library of material samples is screened for properties such as permeability. A library of material samples is provided. A stimulus such as an exposure to a permeate fluid is provided to each member of the library. A response of each of the material samples due to the stimulus is measured and the response, the stimulus or both are recorded and related to provide data. Thereafter, the data is analyzed to reach conclusions regarding the properties of the material samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian A. Hajduk, Oleg Kolosov
  • Patent number: 6723678
    Abstract: An improved noble metal alloy composition for a fuel cell catalyst, the alloy containing platinum, ruthenium, and nickel. The alloy shows methanol oxidation activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Gorer
  • Publication number: 20040071888
    Abstract: The present invention is generally relates to the field of research for the discovery of films with desirable properties, and to a process for making such films. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a system or an apparatus and a method for the rapid formation of a library of liquid samples and a library of thin films therefrom, as well as to the rapid screening of these films to identify those having desirable properties, all of which may be achieved using combinatorial techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicants: Symyx Technologies, Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantinos Chondroudis, Keith Cendak, Martin Devenney, C. Eric Ramberg, Xuejun (Jason) Wang, Raymond E. Carhart, Scott Jeffrey Weigel, John Francis Kirner, Thomas Alan Deis, Earl Danielson, James Edward MacDougall, Lisa Deis, Sum Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040073042
    Abstract: Control agents that have an oxygen-nitrogen bond covalently bonded to a thiocarbonyl moiety are provided for living-type free radical polymerization of a wide variety of monomers, particularly vinyl monomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Charmot, Han-Ting Chang, Victor Nava-Salgado
  • Patent number: 6720186
    Abstract: A method and system for researching and developing and/or optimizing new catalysts and products in a combinatorial manner is disclosed. The method begins with starting components or a ligand library and provides methods of creating catalyst or product libraries, which are then tested in a reaction of interest. The system uses methods of robotic handling for moving libraries from station to station. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial catalyst libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental methods as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Turner, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6716948
    Abstract: Controlled architecture polymers made preferably with acrylamide type monomers are prepared in living-type or semi-living-type free radical polymerizations, with the architecture preferably being other than linear, such as star, branched, grafted or hyper-branched. The controlled architecture polymers have high weight average molecular weights and low viscosities, which make they particularly useful in replaceable capillary electrophoresis separation media for biological molecules, such as DNA fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Klaerner, Miroslav Petro, Dominique Charmot, Didier Benoit
  • Publication number: 20040063208
    Abstract: An apparatus for parallel processing of reaction mixtures, including a reactor block including reaction chambers for containing reaction mixtures under pressure, the reactor block further including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a first plurality of fluid flow paths providing fluid communication with the first sidewall and respective reaction chambers and the second sidewall and respective reaction chambers;; a stirring system including a base plate defining a second plurality of flow paths, wherein respective flow paths of said second plurality of flow paths are in fluid communication with respective reaction chambers and respective fluid flow paths of said first plurality of flow paths, and the base plate also supports a plurality of stirring blade assemblies for mixing the reaction mixtures; interchangeable manifolds supported by the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the interchangeable manifolds defining a plurality of manifold inlet/outlet ports, wherein respective inlet/outlet ports of s
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Chandler
  • Patent number: 6713577
    Abstract: New ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with pyridyl-amine ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. Certain of these catalysts with hafnium metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, isobutylene or styrene. Certain of the catalysts are particularly effective at polymerizing propylene to high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene in a solution process at a variety of polymerization conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Boussie, Gary M. Diamond, Christopher Goh, Keith A. Hall, Anne M. LaPointe, Margarete K. Leclerc, Cheryl Lund, Vince Murphy
  • Publication number: 20040058811
    Abstract: A method and system for the in situ synthesis of a combinatorial library including impregnating a first component with a second component. The method and system advantageously may be employed in the synthesis of materials for screening for usefulness as a catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Claus G. Lugmair, Damodara M. Poojary, Alfred Hagemeyer, Daniel M. Giaquinta
  • Patent number: 6706829
    Abstract: New ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with pyridyl-amine ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. Certain of these catalysts with hafnium metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, isobutylene or styrene. Certain of the catalysts are particularly effective at polymerizing propylene to high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene in a solution process at a variety of polymerization conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Boussie, Gary M. Diamond, Christopher Goh, Keith A. Hall, Anne M. LaPointe, Margarete K. Leclerc, Cheryl Lund, Vince Murphy