Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing organic peroxides are provided. One or more of the reactions described herein may be performed in a continuous reactor, optionally including at least one microscale reaction channel. Additionally, at least one phase transfer catalyst may be used to facilitate reaction of components present in a multiphase reaction mixture.

Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing organic peroxides are provided. One or more of the reactions described herein may be performed in a continuous reactor, optionally including at least one microscale reaction channel. Additionally, at least one phase transfer catalyst may be used to facilitate reaction of components present in a multiphase reaction mixture.

Abstract: A material that is capable of releasing an active agent in a controlled manner. The material includes a hydrogel vehicle and an active agent dispersed throughout the hydrogel. When brought into contact with an aqueous release media, the active agent is released from the hydrogel vehicle into the release media. Characteristics of the hydrogel, including composition and surface area, control the release of the agent. Methods of forming the material, dispensing the active agent, and removing the active agent from an aqueous solution are also described.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing nucleic acid extracts from environmental samples contaminated by polymerase inhibitors such as humic and fulvic acids is provided. The methods of the invention utilize chemical compositions capable of precipitating humic and/or fulvic acids from organic samples. The methods may be used in connection with the preparation of DNA and RNA extracts, thereby providing purified preparations suitable for amplification using PCR, RT-PCR, and other nucleic acid amplification technologies. Reagent kits for preparing a purified nucleic acid-containing extract from an environmental sample of soil, fluid, or organic particles, using the chemical compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method separating for small molecules from an aqueous solution is presented. The method can be used selectively separate small molecules from a solution while leaving untargeted molecules dissolved in the solution. The method uses polymer filtration to selectively remove the small molecules from the aqueous solution. An aqueous solution containing the dissolved small molecule is contacted with a polymer which is capable of forming a complex with the small molecule. The aqueous solution is then subjected to ultrafiltration which creates a concentrated solution of the polymer-small molecule complex. The small molecule may be released from the polymer and the polymer recycled for another round of removal.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer for binding a dissolved molecule in an aqueous solution is presented. The polymer has a backbone polymer to which one or more functional groups are covalently linked. The backbone polymer can be such polymers as polyethylenimine, polyvinylamine, polyallylamine, and polypropylamine. These polymers are generally water-soluble, but can be insoluble when cross-linked.