Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for promoting rapid formation of biomolecule crystals from a solution of biomolecules, preferably proteins, wherein the protein solution undergoes rapid concentration according to its isoelectric point in an electric field. Protein crystallization according to the methods of the present invention takes place within a period of hours or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a bulk monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride, i.e. GaN etc., on the surface of heterogeneous substrate, i.e. SiC etc., comprising the steps of forming a supercritical ammonia solvent containing ion or ions of alkali metals in an autoclave, dissolving a gallium-containing feedstock in the supercritical ammonia solvent to form a supercritical solution in which the feedstock is dissolved, and crystallizing gallium-containing nitride on the face of a seed which contains no element of oxygen and has a lattice constant of 2.8 to 3.6 with respect to ao-axis from the supercritical solution, under a condition of a higher temperature and/or a lower pressure than the temperature and/or the pressure where the gallium-containing feedstock is dissolved in the supercritical solvent. Therefore nitride gallium system compound semiconductor device can be formed on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: Novel compounds having a hybrid cubic/hexagonal diamond crystal structure are disclosed. Each of the four compounds have the stoichiometric formula C26H32 and a molecular weight of 344. The four compounds are contemplated to have a utility in diamond film nucleation.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline particles, especially particles of a pharmaceutical or carrier substance suitable for inhalation therapy, in addition to apparatus for the preparation of such particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a bulk monocrystalline aluminum nitride by using a supercritical ammonia. The process comprises the steps of forming a supercritical solvent containing ions of an alkali metal in an autoclave; and dissolving a feedstock in this supercritical solvent to form a supercritical solution, and simultaneously or separately crystallizing aluminum nitride on the face of a crystallization seed. This process is carried out in the autoclave (1) which is provided with a convection-controller (2) arranged therein and which is to produce a supercritical solvent. The autoclave is set in a furnace unit (4) equipped with a heater (5) and/or a cooler (6).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described to generate a single-crystal film formed of an organic material in a microstructure chamber having a growth zone with defined dimensions. A flow of at least one of a 1) saturated solution of organic crystalline molecules or 2) molten organic crystalline molecules may be controlled to the growth zone to achieve a balance between crystal-film growth and the flow of the at least one of 1) additional saturated solution of organic crystalline molecules or 2) additional molten organic crystalline molecules into the growth zone.

Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material, changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, the frequency of the ultrasound being scanned over a range of frequencies. For example the ultrasound may be varied between 19.5 and 20.5 kHz, and this variation may be sinusoidal. Preferably the ultrasound is provided only briefly, say for less than 5 s, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. It is applicable in particular to aspartame.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention features methods for forming crystalline membranes (e.g., a membrane of a framework material, such as a zeolite) by inducing secondary growth in a layer of oriented seed crystals. The rate of growth of the seed crystals in the plane of the substrate is controlled to be comparable to the rate of growth out of the plane. As a result, a crystalline membrane can form a substantially continuous layer including grains of uniform crystallographic orientation that extend through the depth of the layer.

Abstract: A production method of the present invention includes: a process of bringing a solution 12 and a second solvent 13 into contact with each other so that a liquid-liquid interface 14 is formed therebetween, where the solution 12 includes a first solvent containing a benzene derivative (A) whose content is at least 50 wt. % and fullerene dissolved in the first solvent, and the second solvent 13 has a lower solubility of the fullerene than that of the first solvent; and a process of allowing the solution 12 and the second solvent 13 to be mixed together through counter diffusion of the solution 12 and the second solvent 13 to deposit crystals of the fullerene. The benzene derivative (A) is at least one benzene derivative selected from the group consisting of a benzene derivative in which at least two hydrogen atoms of a benzene ring have been substituted, halogenated benzene, and alkoxybenzene.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an optical line detector for regulating the position of the wash front and/or of the build-up front of the crystal bed of a wash column in a melt crystallization process and a corresponding regulation method. The line detector, for example a CCD camera or a linear array of reflection probes, is arranged in such a way that optical properties of the crystal bed can be detected continuously in a region running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wash column, this region covering the desired setpoint position of the wash front or of the build-up front.

Abstract: A device and process for crystallizing a compound using hydrodynamic cavitation comprising the steps of mixing at least one stream of a feed solution of such compound to be crystallized with at least one stream of an anti-solvent in a nucleating section via collision of the feed solution and the anti-solvent, passing the mixed streams at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing nucleation and the production of seed crystals, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through an intermediate section to a crystal growth section, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through the crystal growth section at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing further crystallization of the compound contained in the solution.

Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a biopolymer crystal mounting device with which a biopolymer crystal having been grown in a solution containing a biopolymer can be taken out of the solution. The device can be manufactured efficiently without requiring labors and can be mass-produced with high yield. A biopolymer crystal mounting device comprises: a film member 12, which is made of a material possessing permeability to an electromagnetic wave, and which is integrally formed of a loop portion 16 holding a drop of solution containing a biopolymer crystal, a neck portion 18 and a body portion 20; and a tubular member 14 including a bearing hole 22 in which the body portion of the film member is inserted and supported. Further, the film member is inserted into and secured to the tubular member.

Abstract: A static fluid and a second fluid are placed into contact along a microfluidic free interface and allowed to mix by diffusion without convective flow across the interface. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fluids are static and initially positioned on either side of a closed valve structure in a microfluidic channel having a width that is tightly constrained in at least one dimension. The valve is then opened, and no-slip layers at the sides of the microfluidic channel suppress convective mixing between the two fluids along the resulting interface. Applications for microfluidic free interfaces in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, protein crystallization studies, protein solubility studies, determination of properties of fluidics systems, and a variety of biological assays such as diffusive immunoassays, substrate turnover assays, and competitive binding assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to layered organic structures in which anisotropic crystalline seed layers control crystalline structure of the subsequent epitaxial organic layers. The structure comprises in sequence a substrate, a globally ordered crystalline seed layer with intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ?, and at least one epitaxial layer of an organic compound. The seed layer is comprised of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system. At least one layer of an organic compound is epitaxially deposited onto the seed layer. The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a layered organic structure. The method comprises forming of a globally ordered anisotropic crystalline seed layer on a substrate by means of the Cascade Crystallization Process. The seed layer has an intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ? and it is formed by rodlike supramolecules comprised of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system.

Abstract: For the measurement, orientation and fixation of at least one single crystal, it is the object of the invention to ensure increased accuracy in the determination of crystallographic orientation and oriented fixation regardless of the outer geometry of the single crystals, and the fixation should guarantee a highly accurate cutting also with very hard materials such as sapphire or silicon carbide. The single crystal is adjustably positioned on a revolving table for determining the crystal lattice orientation, wherein the crystal lattice orientation is determined during at least one revolution of the revolving table based on a plurality of x-ray reflections. The orientation of the crystal lattice is carried out with reference to the determined angles of the normal of the lattice plane relative to the axis (X-X) of the revolving table as reference direction before carrying out the fixation of the single crystal and the fastening on a support oriented in reference direction.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: A method is provided for the isolation of high purity crystalline citalopram (1-[3-dimethylamino)propyl}-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1, 3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile) base directly from the alkylation reaction mixture of 5-cyanophthalane with N,N-dimethylaminoprpylchloride in a polar aprotic solvent using a strong base. The method comprises: (a) diluting the reaction mixture with ice cold water and extracting the resulting mixture with a water-immiscible organic solvent; (b) re-extracting the water-immiscible organic solvent extract with an aqueous acid; (c) diluting the aqueous acid extract with a substantially equal volume of a water miscible organic solvent, based on the volume of water in the aqueous acid extract; (d) adjusting the pH to basic with an inorganic base to precipitate free crystalline base and (e) further isolating the precipitated free crystalline base by filration.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an ammonobasic method for preparing a gallium-containing nitride crystal, in which gallium-containing feedstock is crystallized on at least one crystallization seed in the presence of an alkali metal-containing component in a supercritical nitrogen-containing solvent. The method can provide monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride crystals having a very high quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing high-quality crystals of protein or organic substances easily and efficiently. A solution of protein or an organic substance is prepared and then is cooled slowly to be supersaturated to a low degree. This supersaturated solution is irradiated with a femtosecond laser 10. A local explosion phenomenon occurs at the focal point of the laser and thereby a crystalline nucleus is generated. A high-quality crystal is obtained when a crystal is grown on the crystalline nucleus over a long period of time. The femtosecond laser to be used herein can be a titanium:sapphire laser having a wavelength of 800 nm, a duration of 120 fs, a frequency of 1 kHz, and an output of 400 mW.

Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and briefly subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. There is no erosion of the wall and consequently no formation of small particles of metal. It is applicable for example to aspartame, and to amino acids.

Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining crystallization in a very small amount of a material of interest (eg a chemical or biological material of interest).

Abstract: Provided is a method for crystallization and purification of a macrolide such as tacrolimus, sirolimus, pimecrolimus, or everolimus that includes the step of providing a combination of a macrolide, and a polar solvent, dopolar aprotic solvent, or hydrocarbon solvent at pH of 7 or above.

Abstract: The crystal structures of CD45 and LAR, described herein, provide a basis for kinetic and functional studies. Identification of the crystal structures of cellular molecules is important in to determine functional roles in immunity, phosphorylation events, disease initiation mechanism. The isolated crystals and methods for crystallization thereof, are also important in identifying small molecule interactions with cellular molecules for new drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: A temperature- and evaporation-controlled device for the crystallization of proteins from a protein-containing solution. The device comprises a compartment, such as a microcapillary tube, for holding the solution from which crystals are formed. The compartment is in communication with a cold generating unit, such as a cold finger, that maintains a temperature lower than the temperature of the compartment thereby causing de-watering of the solution. A vacuum pump can be attached to the device to reduce vapor pressure to further promote de-watering of the solution. The device can be used terrestrially or in a microgravity environment, such as in outer space, for formation of high quality protein crystals.

Abstract: A method for removing defects at high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) or for relieving strain in a non-diamond crystal commences by providing a crystal, which contains defects, and a pressure medium. The crystal and the pressure medium are disposed in a high pressure cell and placed in a high pressure apparatus, for processing under reaction conditions of sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a time adequate for one or more of removing defects or relieving strain in the single crystal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing Bisphenol-A (BPA) using direct crystallization of BPA in a single crystallization stage. In one embodiment the method comprises reacting Phenol and Acetone in the presence of a catalyst to form a product solution including Bisphenol-A and Phenol; removing a part of the Phenol from the product solution if required, and providing a selective amount of solvent, so as to obtain a product solution with the desired phase equilibrium behavior; and feeding the product solution with a selective composition to a crystallization stage operated at a selected temperature, so as to recover substantially pure Bisphenol-A in crystal form.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an ammonobasic method for preparing a gallium-containing nitride crystal, in which gallium-containing feedstock is crystallized on at least one crystallization seed in the presence of an alkali metal-containing component in a supercritical nitrogen-containing solvent. The method can provide monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride crystals having a very high quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing a biological macromolecular crystal by vaporizing biological macromolecular solution into an oversaturated state. The apparatus includes a first sealed room that receives first crystallizing agent solution, and a communicating tube that communicates with the first sealed room and has a small sectional area for suppressing convection of air. A plurality of droplets of solution dissolving a biological macromolecule and a crystallizing agent therein are held in the communicating tube with the plurality of droplets being separated from each other.

Abstract: A self-assembled photonic crystal is formed using a template made by nanoimprint lithography. A layer of imprintable material is deposited on a substrate, a pattern is imprinted in the imprintable material to form a template (the pattern of the template being adapted to substantially constrain colloidal particles to a predetermined lattice), and colloidal particles are introduced onto the template, substantially filling the predetermined lattice.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of semiconductor nanoparticles. Improved yields are obtained by use of a reducing agent or oxygen reaction promoter.

Abstract: Nanocrystals are synthesized with a high degree of control over reaction conditions and hence product quality in a flow-through reactor in which the reaction conditions are maintained by on-line detection of characteristic properties of the product and by adjusting the reaction conditions accordingly. The coating of nanocrystals is achieved in an analogous manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel system for making uniform crystals. The system, by virtue of the nature of its crystal product, is useful in various chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnology applications. The invention features physically separated and controlled crystal nucleation and growth zones useful in industrially scaled crystallization processes. The invention also provides a method to preferentially nucleate and crystallize a desired category of crystal structure (enantiomer, solvate, polymorph) of non-chiral and chiral compounds.

Abstract: The invention is a crystallization cassette and associated method for growing and analyzing macromolecular crystals in situ by X-ray crystallography. The cassette allows proteins (as well as other macromolecules) to be crystallized by the counter-diffusion method in a restricted geometry. Using this procedure, crystals can be adequately prepared for direct X-ray data analysis such that the protein's three-dimesional structure can be solved without crystal manipulation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microplate for performing crystallography studies. In particular, the microplate has a frame that includes a plurality of wells formed therein. Each well includes a first well and a second well. The first well includes a relatively large reservoir capable of receiving a reagent solution. The second well includes a relatively small reservoir having a substantially concaved form capable of receiving a protein solution and a reagent solution. The second well is suspended above the first well such that space on the plate is conserved and to enable protein crystal growth utilizing a hanging drop vapor diffusion crystallization process.

Abstract: An ordered array of magnetized nanorods includes a plurality of metallic nanorods generally cylindrical in shape and including a nickel portion coated with a positively charged polyelectrolyte and a gold portion coated with an alkanethiolate; and a layer of a hardened polymer wherein each individual nanorod of the plurality is held by having said gold portion embedded therein so that the nickel portion extends approximately perpendicularly away from the layer of hardened polymer, and wherein said plurality of metallic nanorods is ordered in the array by having substantially all individual nanorods of the plurality of nanorods oriented generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing tagatose crystals from an aqueous system using no organic solvent. In this method, seed crystals of tagatose are added to a tagatose solution in which a tagatose purity of solid contents in the solution is at least 70% and a solid contents concentration in the solution is 60 to 98 mass %, and crystallization of tagatose is carried out by stirring and cooling the solution while keeping a degree of super saturation of tagatose at 1.25 or lower. It is preferred that the solution containing tagatose is a solution containing no organic solvent. It is further preferred that a part of massecuite for which the crystallization is completed is added to a mother liquor so as to produce the tagatose crystals semi-continuously or continuously. It is furthermore preferred that the tagatose crystals formed from the massecuite are separated by centrifugation or filtration and dried to obtain tagatose crystals.

Abstract: A high temperature/high pressure (HP/HT) apparatus for converting feedstock housed in a capsule into product crystals, comprising at least two electrical heating paths for independent control of both the mean temperature in the reaction cell and the temperature gradient across the reaction cell.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: A method for generating and isolating a high free energy form of a compound or a mixture of compounds comprises the steps of placing a sample in a capillary tube, solidifying the sample in the capillary tube, and isolating a high free energy form of the sample. A method for searching for a high free energy form of a sample comprises the steps of placing the compound or mixture in a capillary tube, generating a solid in the capillary tube, and determining whether a high free energy form of the sample was generated. The sample may be a compound or mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more decamantanes. Specifically disclosed are compositions comprising 25 to 100 weight percent of one or more decamantanes. Also disclosed are novel processes for the separation and isolation of decamantane components into recoverable fractions from a feedstock containing at least a higher diamondoid component which contains one or more decamantane components.

Abstract: A method of determining the optimal yield of a target compound includes the steps of: (a) determining the initial composition of a mixture of compounds containing the target compound; (b) dissolving the mixture in a solvent; (c) placing a quantity of the solution in a plurality of vessels; (d) optionally, placing a portion of a different derivatising agent in each vessel; (e) causing crystallisation to occur; (f) analysing the contents of the vessels after the crystallisation has approached equilibrium to determine the compositions of the liquors and the compositions of the solids; and (g) comparing the compositions determined in step (f) to profile the performance of each system in terms of the projected maximum yield of target compound is an optimised crystallisation process.

Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: delivering a first fluid to a first lumen of a microfluidic device and a second, different fluid to a second lumen of the microfluidic device, the first and second lumens sharing a common wall which allows for diffusion between the lumens over at least a portion of the length of the lumens; and having the first and second fluids diffuse between the first and second lumens.

Abstract: A non-linear optical crystal of a compound having the general formula DxM1?xTOZO4, including isomorphs thereof, where: D is a dopant which comprises one or both of Rb and Cs; M is selected from one or both of K and Ag; T comprises one or more of Ti, Sn and Ge, optionally together with one or both of Nb and Ta; Z is selected from one or both of P and As, optionally together with one or both of Ge and Si; and 0<x?0.1.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated about a first rotational axis; wherein rotation of the device about the first rotational axis causes a fixed volume to be transported to each of the second submicrovolumes.