Abstract: A sample injector valve capable of introducing multiple samples of material into multiple liquid or gas streams is provided. Such a valve is particularly useful for injecting multiple samples under pressure into a combinatorial chemistry system with moving streams of fluid, such as a parallel pressure reactor or a rapid flow analysis system using multi-channel or parallel chromatography and related techniques. The valve is further capable of functioning on a small scale with automatic sampling equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously depositing gradients components of two or more target materials onto a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first target material source that directs a first target material towards the substrate and a second target material source that directs a second material towards the substrate. The apparatus further comprises a gradient shutter system that blocks a first predetermined amount of the first target material and a second predetermined amount of the second target material directed towards the substrate in order to generate gradients of the first and second target materials on the substrate. The gradients of the first and second target materials being simultaneously deposited onto the substrate to form a homogenous resulting material. A method for simultaneously depositing gradients of two or more target material onto a substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Abstract: A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures. The system comprises a frame, a head mounted in fixed position on the frame, and a reactor block having a plurality of wells therein for containing reaction mixtures. The reactor block is movable with respect to the head between a first position in which the reactor block and head are assembled for conducting reactions in the wells and a second position in which the reactor block is removed from the head for providing access to the vessels. Gaps in the reactor block between the wells serve to thermally isolate the wells from one another. Other features relating to pressure relief, reactor block temperature control, and sensor mounting are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of (co)polymers, dispersion formulations, solid solutions and formulation conditions able to disperse a dye selected from the group of a monoazo dye, quinophthalone dye and an anthraquinone dye in a stable nanoparticular form in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography column distributor spreads liquid over the internal cross sectional area of the column to facilitate separation of the liquid in the column into its constituent components for analysis, particularly where the volume of liquid is small and the rate of flow through the column is high. The distributor is useful for small volumes, less than 100 micro liters. The distribution is preferably done in two or more stages by two or more plates arranged in series. This arrangement keeps the flow paths short and volumes of channels in the plate carrying the liquid small. The distributor may be used in a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in which liquid flows at high rates through the column. The distributor is constructed to protect the liquid sample from damage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing small volumes of reaction components. In one application, a plurality of removable vessels are placed in a parallel reactor, and reaction components are delivered to each vessel. An impeller is rotated in each vessel to mix the components. Each impeller has a rotary shaft and at least one blade on the shaft for placement in the reaction components. The blade is dimensioned so that one rotation of the impeller causes the blade to sweep out a sweep volume representing a large amount of the fill volume of the vessel.

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, an inlet port, and two or more reaction vessels within the pressure chamber. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, and is used for pressurizing the pressure chamber from an external pressure source. Each of the two or more reaction vessels are in isolatable fluid communication with the pressure chamber such that during a first pressurizing stage of operation, each of the two or more reaction vessels can be simultaneously pressurized through common fluid communication with the pressure chamber. In addition, during at least a second reaction stage of operation, each of the two or more pressurized reaction vessels can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: New ligands having a backbone comprised of NCCX can be combined with a metal or metal precursor compound or formed into a metal-ligand complex to catalyze a number of different chemical transformations, including polymerization.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

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.

Abstract: A method for preparing a library is provided in which the library contains an array of elements and each element contains a different combination of materials. A related apparatus includes an x-ray beam directed at the library, a chamber which houses 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 scatters off of the element and a detector detects the scattered x-ray beam in order to generate characterization data for the element.

Abstract: A multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system with cooling sufficient to prevent overheating during chiral separation. The system includes a thermally insulated enclosure enclosing a bundle of capillary tubes, a light source and photodetector. A heat transfer system is provided for cooling closely spaced portions and spread apart portions of the capillary tubes to an extent sufficient to prevent overheating of the tubes and contents thereof due to the heat generated during chiral separation.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for rapid characterization and screening of liquid samples to determine properties (e.g., particle size, particle size distribution, molar mass and/or molar mass distribution) thereof with static light scattering and/or dynamic light scattering. The liquid samples can be solutions, emulsions, suspensions or dispersions. One method, includes providing a vessel containing a liquid sample having an exposed surface that defines a gas-liquid sample interface, and analyzing the sample by light scattering methods that include transmitting light through the gas-liquid sample interface into the sample, and detecting light scattered from the sample or from a component thereof. Additional methods are directed to characterizing a plurality of liquid samples or components thereof. The methods, systems, and devices have applications in high-throughput screening, and particularly, in combinatorial materials research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: A rapid throughput method for the preparation, analysis or both of libraries of material samples is provided. According to the method, a plurality of samples is provided. The plurality of samples is then formed into a plurality of films. Thereafter, the plurality of films is plastically deformed. Preferably, the plurality of films is deformed into a configuration appropriate for testing of properties or characteristics of the samples.

Abstract: Cellulosic polymers, copolymers and grafts, are disclosed that adhere to fibers and surfaces during an aqueous treatment process. The cellulosic polymers having grafts and/or co-blocks are prepared using living-type free radical polymerization techniques, which provides control over the degree of substitution and graft/co-block composition and structure. These cellulosic polymers allow for the modification of fibers and surfaces to provide a desired effect.

Abstract: A rapid throughput method for the preparation, analysis or both of libraries of material samples is provided. According to the method, a plurality of samples is provided. Providing the plurality of samples can include a variety of sample formation techniques including, but not limited to, extruding, milling, compression preparation, rotary mixing, microcentrifugation, molding and casting. Preferably, the samples are solidified into a near net shape configuration appropriate for testing of properties or characteristics of the samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting a plurality of different mixtures in parallel in a semi-batch or continuous mode is provided. Each reaction is contained within a reactor vessel, the reactor vessels combined into a reactor block. Reactant(s) to be added during the reaction are kept in a header barrel, which has a plunger to feed reactant(s) from the header barrel through a transfer line into the reactor vessel. The plunger is moved using a drive system. The header barrels are optionally combined in a header block. The header block is sealed to a plate containing the transfer lines, which in turn is sealed to the reactor block. A latch mechanism is provided for easy sealing of the reactor and header blocks to the plate. The entire apparatus may be placed on a rocker or rotating plate for mixture as the reaction is proceeding.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed, where the polymer sample, solvent, liquid chromatograph column and/or mobile phase eluant is heated to temperatures of at least 75 degrees Celsius during the sample injection or elution process. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.