Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions of matter which are esters with enhanced water solubility, for use in aqueous enzymatic resolution reactions of racemic mixtures of these esters for producing the separate chiral isomers of the racemic mixture. The invention also relates to novel methods for preparing these esters. The importance of the production of the separate chiral isomers of the racemic mixtures resides in the isolation of the isomers which frequently have different biological activities. Of particular significance regarding the water soluble esters of this invention is that they are derivatized with groups which enhance their aqueous solubility and their reactivity with enzymatic resolving methods which are mediated in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatus for separating a desired solute, such as an optically active isomer, from a complex mixture using carrier facilitated transport in an immobilized liquid membrane or carrier facilitated solvent extraction. The carrier is a binding protein selected and/or engineered to immunochemically reversibly bind to the solute and to have a significant solubility in the extracting solvent or immobilized liquid membrane.

Abstract: An information read/write storage system for reading and writing data to and from a flexible magneto-optic media is shown to include a magnetic recording member, having a recording head positioned proximate the media, for recording information onto the media at a recording point, the recording point being defined as the area of the media wherein information is being recorded at any given time and an optical read/write assembly for providing focused light onto the media during reading and writing, for receiving reflected light from the media to read the information and for continuously providing focused light onto the media for heating the recording point while the magnetic recording member is recording.

Abstract: An optical disc cartridge with a flexible optical storage medium, stabilized during rotation by a Bernoulli surface, is described. A flexible optical disc having an active layer capable of storing information is mounted within a rigid disc cartridge. A Bernoulli surface is provided on an inside face of the disc cartridge, in close proximity to the flexible disc, to thereby stabilize the flexible disc during rotation. The disc is rotated in order to access locations thereon during information storage and retrieval. Additionally, optical access to these locations during information storage and retrieval is also provided by the stabilizing Bernoulli surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for facilitating the enzymatic resolution of racemic mixtures of esters, which are derivatized with groups which enhance the esters' aqueous solubility, in an extractive member reactor where the enzyme is placed alternatively either (1) in the aqueous phase, (2) in association with the membrane, or (3) in the aqueous phase and in association with the membrane, wherein the aqueous ester phase is contacted with one side of the membrane, and where an organic extractive phase is contacted with the other side of the membrane, wherein the extractive phase serves to remove the resolving reaction product. Of particular significance regarding this invention is its use of water soluble esters that are derivatized with groups which enhance their aqueous solubility and their reactivity with enzymatic resolving methods which are mediated in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of effecting aqueous enzymatic and homogeneous resolutions of racemic esters which exhibit enhanced aqueous solubility. The preferred embodiment of this invention relates to the resolutions which are effected by placing the enzyme and racemic esters in an aqueous phase wherein one of the ester enantiomers is preferentially and stereospecifically de-esterified to effect the resolution of the initial racemic mixture. In another embodiment of this invention, the resolutions are effected by placing the enzyme and racemic esters in an aqueous phase, and contacting this aqueous phase with an organic phase. The preferential and stereospecific de-esterification of one of the ester enantiomers is effected, and the chiral acid product of the de-esterification reaction is extracted into the organic phase.

Abstract: An optical read/write storage system for reading and writing data to and from a flexible optical media is shown to include an optical read/write head for providing focused light onto the flexible media and for receiving reflected light from the flexible media and a fine movement stabilizater, connected to the optical head and positioned proximate the flexible media, for stabilizing the flexible media in a desired position so that the optical head need not be moved substantially toward or away from the media in order to maintain the light focused on the media.