Abstract: The present invention integrates an optical switch, a microlens array and a triple-unit light-directed combinatorial synthesis. By applying optical switching technology and waveguides, the present invention can actively control and carry out light-directed solid-state combinatorial synthesis without implementation of photomasks. The system and the related methodologies of this invention further incorporate individually independent detection for each spot of the microarray system without background interference. Microlens arrays coupled with the optical waveguide switch can be implemented in the CCD-LED detection system or laser scanning system for microarray detection in the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a microelectronic system, which can actively carry out and control molecular biological reactions in microscopic formats. The microelectronic system is accomplished by using electrochemical detection for bulge sites in binding pairs, in order to enhance sensitivity without marking the probe with reporter groups. Together with electrical stringency control, the method can be fully automated with minimum sample preparation. The present invention is especially useful for diagnosing base pair mismatches in target sequences by using specific metal complexes for detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing an organic carboxylic acid having (n+1) carbon atoms by reacting an alcohol having n carbon atoms with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium catalyst system. More particularly, the present invention relates to carbonylation of alcohol such as methanol catalyzed by a rhodium system to produce acetic acid. The characteristic of the present invention is the addition of a catalyst stabilizer in the reaction medium to avoid or to alleviate the precipitation of the catalyst in the liquid phase. The catalyst as used herein is a an inorganic salt of alkaline metal having the following formula (A): XnMm  (A) X=Li+, Na+, K+; M=CO3−2, HCO3−, PO4−3, HPO4−2, H2PO4−, SO4−2, HSO4−, C2O4−2, HC2O4−, B(C6Y5)4−1; Y=H, F or CF3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing an organic carboxylic acid having (n+1) carbon atoms by reacting an alcohol having n carbon atoms with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium catalyst system. More particularly, the present invention relates to carbonylation of alcohol such as methanol catalyzed by a rhodium system to produce acetic acid. The characteristic of the present invention is the addition of a catalyst stabilizer in the reaction medium to avoid or to alleviate the precipitation of the catalyst in the liquid phase. The catalyst stabilizer as used herein is a pyridine derivative having substituent(s) of such as (CH2)mCOOR or (CH2)mSO3R (R═H or hydrocarbons; m=0-6).