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: Block copolymers are prepared by living-type or semi-living type free radical polymerization, with said copolymers having at least one random block comprised of at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The selection of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the random block is determined by the relative hydrophobicity of the monomers to impart selected solubility or dispersability in water and/or alcohols of the overall block copolymer.

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: 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.

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: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the core polymer and/or at least one of the flanking polymers is a copolymer derived from two or more monomers. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.

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: 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: Sensors for determining the presence and concentration of bio-molecules in a biological sample are provided in the form of polymer brushes, which comprise a substrate having a surface that is modified with 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, and in particular the use of an iniferter initiator, which allows for controlled architecture polymers to modify the surface of the substrate. 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.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared by living-type or semi-living type free radical polymerization, with said copolymers having at least one random block comprised of at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The selection of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the random block is determined by the relative hydrophobicity of the monomers to impart selected solubility or dispersability in water and/or alcohols of the overall block copolymer.

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.

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: Block copolymers are prepared by living-type or semi-living type free radical polymerization, with said copolymers having at least one random block comprised of at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The selection of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the random block is determined by the relative hydrophobicity of the monomers to impart selected solubility or dispersability in water and/or alcohols of the overall block copolymer.

Abstract: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the core polymer and/or at least one of the flanking polymers is a copolymer derived from two or more monomers. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the evaluation of interactions between substances using inverse chromatography are disclosed. Preferably, interactions are evaluated between a liquid test sample and a solid phase comprising a receptor in the presence of a liquid carrier. Preferably, one of the modifying agent or receptor are members of a combinatorial library.

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.

Abstract: Sensors for determining the presence and concentration of bio-molecules in a biological sample are provided in the form of polymer brushes, which comprise a substrate having a surface that is modified with 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. 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.

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: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the copolymer is soluble at a level of at least 1% by weight in water at 25° C. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the core polymer and/or at least one of the flanking polymers is a copolymer derived from two or more monomers. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.