Abstract: Gas chromatographs of the invention generally comprise four or more analysis channels. Specifically, four or more gas chromatography columns are configured for parallel analysis of four or more gaseous samples with detection being effected using a microdetector array comprising four or more microdetectors. In one embodiment, the four or more microdetectors 510 are microfabricated detectors, and are integrally formed with a substrate or with one or more microchip bodies mounted on a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, a microdetector array comprises four or more thermal conductivity detectors having one or more thin-film detection filaments. A preferred heated environment for highly parallel gas chromatographs is also disclosed.

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 sa

Abstract: Sensors for determining the presence and concentration of bio-molecules in a biological sample are provided in the form of polymer brushes, which comprise a substrate having a surface that is modified with 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. 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: One aspect of the present invention provides instruments for measuring mechanical properties of a combinatorial library of materials. The instruments include at least one capacitor to which a member of a library of material samples is removably secured for testing; at least one voltage source for delivering one or more forces to each library member; and at least one sensing device for monitoring the response each library member to the one or more forces. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods of screening a combinatorial library of materials where the method monitors the responses of a plurality of samples on a substrate to a force induced by a capacitor.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods, materials, and devices for making and screening combinatorial libraries to identify semi-conducting and thermoelectric materials. The disclosed method includes preparing a combinatorial library of materials, and identifying library members that are semiconductors. The method may include determining a thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for each member of a second combinatorial library of materials. The method determines ZT by applying an oscillatory voltage across the library members, measuring power dissipated by library members, and calculating ZT from the power dissipated. The method may also include isolating single-phase materials of the semiconducting library members. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for discovering thermoelectric materials using combinatorial techniques.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the preparation and use of a substrate having an array of diverse materials in predefined regions thereon. A substrate having an array of diverse materials thereon is generally prepared by delivering components of materials to predefined regions on a substrate, and simultaneously reacting the components to form at least two materials. Materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, covalent network solids, ionic solids and molecular solids. More particularly, materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, inorganic materials, intermetallic materials, metal alloys, ceramic materials, organic materials, organometallic materials, non-biological organic polymers, composite materials (e.g., inorganic composites, organic composites, or combinations thereof), etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a library containing an array of samples. The apparatus includes an x-ray beam directed at the library, a chamber housing the library and a beamline for directing the x-ray beam onto the library in the chamber. The chamber may include a translation stage that holds the library and that is programmable to change the position of the library relative to the x-ray beam and a controller that controls the movement of the translation stage to expose an element to the x-ray beam in order to rapidly characterize the element in the library. During the characterization, the x-ray beam diffracts upon impinging the element and a detector detects the diffracted x-ray beam in order to generate characterization data for the element.

Abstract: Control agents that have a nitrogen-nitrogen bond covalently bonded to a thiocarbonyl moiety are provided for living-type free radical polymerization of a wide variety of monomers. These control agents provide superior properties for control of the polymerization and/or the properties of the polymers obtained and/or the monomers that may be polymerized. In some embodiments, a bulky group is pendant off the activated thiocarbonyl portion of the control agents. Multifunctional control agents provide the opportunity for a variety of structurally unique polymers, including block copolymers, stars and hyper-branched polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature rheometer and improved force sensor elements which may advantageously be used in combination with the miniature rheometer. The miniature rheometer is adapted to determine rheological characteristics of materials which are provided in the form of small quantity samples. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element. Moreover, the force sensor may employ stress-optic material.

Abstract: A method for producing electricity using a fuel cell that utilizes a ternary alloy composition as a fuel cell catalyst, the ternary alloy composition containing platinum, ruthenium and palladium. The alloy shows increased activity as compared to well-known catalysts.

Abstract: New ligands and compositions with bridged bis-aromatic ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts also polymerize propylene into isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for screening combinatorial libraries of materials by measuring the response of individual library members to mechanical perturbations is described. The apparatus generally includes a sample holder for containing the library members, an array of probes for mechanically perturbing individual library members, and an array of sensors for measuring the response of each of the library members to the mechanical perturbations. Library members undergoing screening make up a sample array, and individual library members constitute elements of the sample array that are confined to specific locations on the sample holder. During screening, the apparatus mechanically perturbs individual library members by displacing the sample array (sample holder) and the array of probes. Typically, all of the elements of the sample array are perturbed simultaneously, but the apparatus also can also perturb individual or groups of sample array elements sequentially.

Abstract: New ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with bridged bis-aromatic ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts also polymerize propylene into isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: Processes for oxidative dehydrogenation of alkane to one or more olefins, exemplified by ethane to ethylene, are disclosed using novel catalysts. The catalysts comprise a mixture of metal oxides having as an important component nickel oxide (NiO), which give high conversion and selectivity in the process. For example, the catalyst can be used to make ethylene by contacting it with a gas mixture containing ethane and oxygen. The gas mixture may optionally contain ethylene, an inert diluent such as nitrogen, or both ethylene and an inert diluent.

Abstract: New ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with bridged bis-aromatic ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts also polymerize propylene into isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methodologies for the synthesis, screening and characterization of organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention provide for the combinatorial synthesis, screening and characterization of libraries of supported and unsupported organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention can be applied to the preparation and screening of large numbers of organometallic compounds which can be used not only as catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts), but also as additives and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature rheometer, a parallel rheometer, and improved force sensor elements which may advantageously be used in combination with the miniature rheometer and the parallel rheometer. The miniature rheometer is adapted to determine rheological characteristics of materials which are provided in the form of small quantity samples. The miniature rheometer comprises an actuating element, a sensing element and a feedback circuit to provide rebalance of the shear force applied by the sample to the sensing element, which insures an exceptional stiffness in determining the shear strain so as to allow measurements of high accuracy. The parallel rheometer of the present invention allows simultaneous measurements of a plurality of samples so as to allow of a plurality of samples within a short time period. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element.

Abstract: A modular materials characterization apparatus includes a sensor array disposed on a substrate, with a standardized array and contact pad format; electronic test and measurement apparatus for sending electrical signals to and receiving electrical signals from the sensor array; an apparatus for making electrical contact to the sensors in the standardized array format; an apparatus for routing signals between one or more selected sensors and the electronic test and measurement apparatus and a computer including a computer readable having a computer program recorded therein for controlling the operator of the apparatus. The sensor array is preferably arranged in a standardized format used in combinatorial chemistry applications for rapid deposition of sample materials on the sensor array.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapidly analyzing groups of reactions are disclosed. The method includes the steps of contacting a fluid sample from one of the reaction mixtures with a sorbent, trapping at least one component of the fluid sample on the sorbent, and detecting the at least one component of the fluid sample trapped on the sorbent. The contacting step, the trapping step, and the detecting step are carried out at least once for each of the reaction mixtures in rapid serial or parallel fashion. The present invention is useful for screening combinatorial libraries, especially libraries of catalysts made through parallel synthesis, but the disclosed methods and devices can be used to analyze a broad spectrum of chemical transformations.

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.