Patents Assigned to Symyx Technologies
  • Apparatus and method for mixing small volumes of reaction materials
    Patent number: 6582116
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph B. Nielsen
  • Polymer brushes for immobilizing molecules to a surface or substrate having improved stability
    Publication number: 20030108879
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Klaerner, Didier Benoit, Dominique Charmot, Srinivas Nomula, Marcelo Eduardo Piotti, Laura T. Mazzola
  • Programmable flux gradient apparatus for co-deposition of materials onto a substrate
    Publication number: 20030106790
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies
    Inventors: Youqi Wang, Xin Di Wu
  • Method and apparatus for screening combinatorial libraries for semiconducting properties
    Patent number: 6576906
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Archibald, Marc Hornbostel
  • Characterization of non-biological polymers using flow-injection analysis with light-scattering detection
    Patent number: 6577392
    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. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph B. Nielsen, Sigrid C. Kuebler, Thomas S. Lee, Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro
  • Hydrodynamic injector
    Patent number: 6572750
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic injector for substantially concurrently loading fluid samples to be analyzed into multiple capillary tubes of a capillary electrophoresis system. The injector includes an enclosure defining a pressure chamber for holding multiple receptacles, each containing a fluid sample, and apertures in the enclosure for passing capillary tubes into a position inside the pressure chamber and in fluid communication with the samples in respective receptacles. Electrodes on the enclosure extend into the pressure chamber for reception in the receptacles. The pressure chamber is pressurized with gas to substantially concurrently force the fluid samples from respective receptacles into the capillary tubes in preparation for a capillary electrophoresis operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peijun Cong, Robert D. Doolen, Tony N. Wheeler
  • Sensor array-based system and method for rapid materials characterization
    Publication number: 20030101006
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mansky, James Bennett
  • Method for sampling reaction products
    Publication number: 20030100120
    Abstract: A method for sampling reaction products includes delivering a reactant through a sampling probe to contact a substance deposited on a substrate and reacting the reactant to form a reaction product. At least a portion of the reaction product is withdrawn through the sampling probe and analyzed. The sampling probe is contacted with the substrate during at least a portion of the delivering, reacting and withdrawing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Youqi Wang, Peijun Cong, Tony N. Wheeler, Lynn Thomas Van Erden, H. Sam Bergh
  • Combinatorial synthesis and screening of supported organometallic compounds and catalysts
    Publication number: 20030100119
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Henry Weinberg, Eric McFarland, Isy Goldwasser, Thomas Boussie, Howard Turner, Johannes A.M. Van Beek, Vince Murphy, Tim Powers
  • High throughput mechanical rapid serial property testing of materials libraries
    Publication number: 20030097871
    Abstract: A library of materials is screened for mechanical properties such as surface tension or interfacial tension. 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 resistance) 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 the material samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mansky
  • Control agents for living-type free radical polymerization, methods of polymerizing and polymers with same
    Patent number: 6569969
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Charmot, Han Ting Chang
  • Ni catalysts and methods for alkane dehydrogenation
    Publication number: 20030097034
    Abstract: Catalysts and methods for alkane oxydehydrogenation are disclosed. The catalysts of the invention generally comprise (i) nickel or a nickel-containing compound and (ii) at least one or more of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), hafiium (Hf), tungsten (W), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or aluminum (Al), or a compound containing one or more of such element(s). In preferred embodiments, the catalyst is a supported catalyst, the alkane is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane and ethyl chloride, molecular oxygen is co-fed with the alkane to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature ranging from about 250 ° C. to about 350 ° C., and the ethane is oxidatively dehydrogenated to form the corresponding alkene with an alkane conversion of at least about 10% and an alkene selectivity of at least about 70%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yumin Liu
  • Methods for parallel semi-continuous or continuous reactions
    Patent number: 6566461
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Christopher Freitag, Damian Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Adam Safir, Richard Tiede
  • Polymer additive useful in separation media
    Publication number: 20030085127
    Abstract: An additive poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) polymer having a molecular weight between about 115,000 and 750,000 and a polydispersity of greater than about 1.3 is useful in a capillary electrophoretic separation medium formulation for improving the separation performance of separation media, especially media that includes linear polyacrylamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Didier Benoit, Nastaran Ghajari, Hasan Ghajari, Gerrit Klaerner
  • Apparatus and method of research for creating and testing novel catalysts, reactions and polymers
    Publication number: 20030086822
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Turner, Lynn VanErden, G. Cameron Dales, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen
  • Controlled free radical emulsion and water-based polymerizations and seeded methodologies
    Patent number: 6559255
    Abstract: Nitroxides having an alpha-carbon atom with a destabilizing moiety are effective control agents for emulsion and water-based polymerizations, including the formation of block copolymers from a wide range of monomers. The nitroxide radicals may be used as a free radical or as an adduct with a residue from the initiator. The emulsions have living characteristics, including the re-initiation of polymer chains. Also, a seeded process for emulsions, which includes the step-wise addition of monomer is disclosed, providing access to a wide range of initiator types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Klaerner, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, Bernd Jandeleit, Peter Huefner, Yunxiao Li
  • Method for conducting sensor array-based rapid materials characterization
    Patent number: 6553318
    Abstract: There is disclosed a material characterization method. The method may include any combination of several potential steps. According to one of the steps multiple material samples are applied to multiple sensors in an array of sensors. In another step, one or more of the sensors of the array are electrically contacted. In another step, electrical connections are formed between selected sensors and electronic test and measurement apparatus. In another step, electric signals are sent to and received from the sensors in the array wherein the signals correspond to thermal, electrical, mechanical or other properties of the material samples. Preferably, some of the equipment (e.g., the electrical connections) used in the method are standardized to allow equipment such as sensor arrays to be interchangeable with equipment such as the electronic test and measurement apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mansky
  • Synthesis and characterization of materials for electrochemical cells
    Publication number: 20030070917
    Abstract: An apparatus including a basis that has a plurality of wells associated therewith for defining a plurality of electrochemical cells; at least two electrodes sealingly disposed in each electrochemical cell; and circuitry for providing an electrical connection between an electrical source and each said cell. A particularly preferred apparatus employs at least one printed circuit board secured to the base. In a preferred method, candidate materials are introduced into the apparatus and their respective performances are analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Giaquinta, Alexander Gorer, Martin Devenney, Sum Nguyen, Leonid Matsiev
  • Method for producing electricity using a platinum-ruthenium-palladium catalyst in a fuel cell
    Publication number: 20030073575
    Abstract: An improved noble metal alloy composition for a fuel cell catalyst, a ternary alloy composition containing platinum, ruthenium and palladium. The alloy shows increased activity as compared to well-known catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Gorer
  • Parallel reactor with internal sensing and method of using same
    Patent number: 6548026
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is 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. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Cameron Dales, Johannes A. M. van Beek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky