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: 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: A method for analyzing a fluid contained within a machine, comprising the steps of providing a machine including a passage for containing a fluid; placing a sensor including a mechanical resonator in the passage; operating the resonator to have a portion thereof translate through the fluid; and monitoring the response of the resonator to the fluid in the passage. A preferred sensor includes a tuning fork resonator.

Abstract: Ligands, compositions, and metal-ligand complexes that incorporate heterocycle-amine compounds are disclosed that are useful in the catalysis of transformations such as the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The catalysts 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 to form isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: Ligands, compositions, and metal-ligand complexes that incorporate heterocycle-amine compounds are disclosed that are useful in the catalysis of transformations such as the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The catalysts 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 to form isotactic polypropylene.

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: 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: 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: Methods and systems for determining a dissolution profile of a sample material, and for solubilization screening of a library defined by an array comprising multiple sample materials are disclosed. The methods and systems are particularly advantageous for sampling and evaluation of very small samples, and can be advantageously applied in connection with evaluation of drug candidates.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in parallel reaction of materials includes a base having a plurality of reaction wells, each of the reaction wells having a closed lower end and open upper end for receiving reactant materials. A cover is configured for sealing engagement with the base to form a housing enclosing the plurality of reaction wells and defining a common pressure chamber in communication with the reaction wells. The apparatus further includes an inlet port in communication with the pressure chamber for supplying pressurized fluid to the chamber to pressurize the reaction wells. The housing is configured to sustain a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure.

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.

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: A composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, copper, and nickel, wherein the concentration of platinum therein is greater than 50 atomic percent and less than 80 atomic percent, and further wherein the sum of the concentrations of platinum, copper and nickel is greater than 95 atomic percent.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid chromatography techniques for rapidly characterizing samples, such as polymer solutions, emulsions and dispersions, and to devices for implementing such techniques. The system includes a design that provides the ability to perform chromatographic separations by using mobile phase composition gradients and temperature gradients during separations. The invention accomplishes this by providing mixing zones for a plurality of fluids as well as heated and chilled feeds feeding the fluids to the mixing zones. Additionally, the system provides the ability to analyze separated components with a detector and/or collect separated fractions into vessels of a fraction collector for further separation and/or analysis.

Abstract: A method of free radical polymerization and for cleaving a thio group from the resulting polymer is provided. The method comprises forming a mixture of one or more monomers, at least one free radical source and a control agent, wherein the control agent comprises a thio moiety. The mixture is polymerized, and the resulting polymer is mixed with a free radical source, and optionally an addition fragmentation agent under cleavage conditions. The thio moiety on the polymer is replaced with a group of interest.

Abstract: Ligands, compositions, metal-ligand complexes and arrays with substituted bridged bis-biaromatic ligands, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed that are useful in the catalysis of transformations such as the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The catalysts 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: Apparatus and methods for screening a library of materials. Materials are provided in a plurality of locations on a substrate. The locations include first regions that are sufficiently transparent to a first form of radiation to permit analysis of the portion of the sample material supported in the first region using a first analytical technique, and second regions that are sufficiently transparent to a second form of radiation to permit analysis of a portion of the sample supported in the second region using a second analytical technique, but are insufficiently transparent to the first form of radiation to permit analysis of the portion of the sample material supported in the second region using the first analytical technique. Sample materials are screened at one or more sample locations of the substrate using the first analytical technique in the first region and the second analytical technique in the second region.

Abstract: Fluid monitoring methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed. Preferred embodiments comprise one or more flexural resonator sensing elements. In preferred embodiments a sensor or a sensor subassembly is ported to multiple fluidic systems.

Abstract: Parallel semi-continuous or continuous reactors are disclosed. The parallel reactors preferably comprise four or more reaction vessels. The reaction vessels are preferably small volume reaction vessels, preferably pressure reaction vessels, and/or preferably integral with a common reactor block. The reaction vessels can comprise shaft-driven stirrers. At least two, preferably at least three or at least four liquid feed lines can provide selective fluid communication between each of the reaction vessels and one or more liquid reagent sources. Additional features, suitable in connection with parallel reactors or with single reaction vessels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program apparatus, provide techniques for designing a set of experiments to be performed with a set of resources. A plurality of experimental configurations are generated based on a set of parameters describing factors to be varied in the experiments and a set of constraints representing limitations on operations that can be performed with the set of resources. A set of experiments is defined based on a selected configuration. The constraints can be represented as patterns defining an application of a parameter to a set of one or more points of an experimental lattice.