Abstract: A robotic system with a common software and hardware platform for integration of a variety of modular components is provided that can be set up for a given application and reconfigured to address changing needs. Modules attach to the robotic platform with standard interfaces in order to maximize the platform's flexibility. Robotic arms also have interchangeability such as variable pitched Z-racks, powder handling or other technologies. The standard interfaces allow third party developers to develop and integrate their own custom modules. One module included with the robotic platform in accord with this invention is a module that both weighs and images a sample.

Abstract: A needle assembly has at least one guide member supported by a first body for sliding movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A second body is attached to the guide member. A biasing member biases the guide member to the extended position. A liquid handling needle is coupled to the first body so sliding movement of the guide member toward the retracted position retracts the second body relative to the liquid handling needle. The second body is adapted to contact a sealed receptacle. The biasing member urges the guide member toward said extended position during insertion and during said removal of the needle from the receptacle whereby the second body remains in contact with the sealed receptacle as the guide member moves from its extended position to its retracted position during said insertion and from its retracted position to its extended position during said removal.

Abstract: Fluid sensor methods and systems adapted for monitoring and/or controlling distillation operations in fluidic systems, such as batch distillation operations or continuous distillation operations, are disclosed. Preferred embodiments are directed to process monitoring and/or process control for unit operations involving endpoint determination of a distillation, for example, as applied to a liquid-component-switching operation (e.g., a solvent switching operation), a liquid-liquid separation operation, a solute concentration operation, a dispersed-phase concentration operation, among others.

Abstract: This invention relates to silicone compositions which can be crosslinked, preferably into elastomers, by hydrosilylation of at least one PolyOrganoSiloxane -A- carrying unsaturated bonds, using at least one polyorganohydrosiloxane —B— in the presence of a carbene-based metal catalyst —C— as defined in the description and which optionally comprises at least one inhibitor -D- of the hydrosilylation reaction.

Abstract: A needle assembly has a first body and a guide rod supported for sliding movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A second body is attached to the guide rod. The second body is relatively farther from the first body when the guide rod is in the extended position and relatively closer to the first body when the guide rod is in the retracted position. The guide rod is biased to the extended position. The second body supports a venting needle that extends beyond the second body by a fixed length. A liquid handling needle is coupled to the first body. Sliding movement of the guide rod toward the retracted position retracts the second body and the venting needle relative to the liquid handling needle.

Abstract: A dissolution and precipitation system includes an array of reactors. Each reactor has a mother well and a daughter well having a volume between about one microliter and one milliliter. A fluid transfer system is operable to transfer fluid between the mother well and daughter well and purify the fluid that is transferred to the daughter well from the mother well. A method of testing a plurality of samples includes dissolving a plurality of first solids in each of the mother wells to form a plurality of first solutions in the mother wells. The first solutions are purified in the reactors. The first solutions are distributed from the mother wells to one or more daughter wells. A plurality of second solids are precipitated in the daughter wells and the second solids are analyzed.

Abstract: A system for mixing powdered materials includes a cannula and an actuator adapted to vibrate the cannula. An optional fluid delivery system is operable to add fluid to the powdered mixture through the cannula. The cannula can be extended into a powder bed and vibrated by the actuator to mix the powder bed. Fluid can be added to the powder bed through the cannula. The systems and methods are suitable for preparing relatively small quantities of candidate mixtures for high-throughput screening. Sample mixtures prepared by the mixing system can be pressed into tablets that are substantially devoid of foreign objects used to mix the samples. The sample mixtures can be subjected to one or more tests, such as an accelerated aging or forced degradation test, to assess one or more characteristics of the sample mixtures.

Abstract: A robotic system with a common software and hardware platform for integration of a variety of modular components is provided that can be set up for a given application and reconfigured to address changing needs. Modules attach to the robotic platform with standard interfaces in order to maximize the platform's flexibility. Robotic arms also have interchangeability such as variable pitched Z-racks, powder handling or other technologies. The standard interfaces allow third party developers to develop and integrate their own custom modules. One module included with the robotic platform in accord with this invention is a module that both weighs and images a sample.

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: A method and apparatus for measurement of mass of small sample sizes. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted for providing microbalance measurement of solid materials as part of a combinatorial research program. The method and apparatus contemplate monitoring the response of a resonator holding a sample and correlating the response with mass change in the samples.

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: 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.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for performing high-throughput preparation and screening of salts and polymorphs of drug candidates. The invention is directed towards enhancing the pre-formulation discovery process used for drug development. In particular, processes that determine suitable salts and processes that discover substantially every polymorph that can form from a particular drug candidate are provided. The processes are performed using several apparatuses that are specifically configured to carry-out various steps in a high-throughput characterization process. One such apparatus is configured for synthesizing a plurality of library members based on, for example, a library model generated by a computer system. Another apparatus may filter the synthesized solution to provide a substantially pure mixture that can be subjected to salt or polymorph testing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of mass of small sample sizes. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted for providing microbalance measurement of solid materials as part of a combinatorial research program. The method and apparatus contemplate monitoring the response of a resonator holding a sample and correlating the response with mass change in the samples.

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: Methods and apparatus for characterizing a polymer sample and in preferred embodiments, libraries of polymer samples, in a comprehensive, directly-coupled multi-dimensional liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The first and second dimensions are preferably high-performance liquid chromatography dimensions, such as for example, a first dimension adapted for determining composition (e.g. adapted for mobile-phase gradient elution chromatography, including reverse phase chromatography, adsorption chromatography and the like), and a second dimension adapted for determining molecular weight or particle size (e.g., adapted for size exclusion chromatography, including gel permeation chromatography).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing a polymer sample and in preferred embodiments, libraries of polymer samples, in a comprehensive, directly-coupled multi-dimensional liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The first and second dimensions are preferably high-performance liquid chromatography dimensions, such as for example, a first dimension adapted for determining composition (e.g. adapted for mobile-phase gradient elution chromatography, including reverse phase chromatography, adsorption chromatography and the like), and a second dimension adapted for determining molecular weight or particle size (e.g., adapted for size exclusion chromatography, including gel permeation chromatography).

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid crop protection formulation comprising

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of research for drug formulations. More particularly, this invention is directed toward an apparatus and method of performing parallel synthesis and screening of multiple drug compositions for stability and compatibility when exposed to various conditions over time, including various environmental and/or chemical conditions. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of testing for effects of a condition on a drug sample. The method includes providing an array of drug samples, simultaneously exposing a first plurality of the drug samples in the array to a first controlled condition for a period of time within an exposure period, and evaluating a plurality of the exposed drug samples at a first time and a second time using a non-destructive test in order to determine whether the condition has an affect on one or more of the drug samples over time.

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.