Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses used for reaction screening and optimization purposes. An example apparatus includes a plurality of reaction vessels, a dispensing subsystem, at least one reactor module, an analysis subsystem, an automation subsystem, and control circuitry. The dispensing subsystem delivers reagents to the plurality of reaction vessels for a plurality of reaction mixtures having varied reaction conditions. The at least one reactor module drives a plurality of reactions within the plurality of reaction vessels. The analysis subsystem analyzes compositions contained in the plurality of reaction vessels. The automation subsystem selectively moves the plurality of reaction vessels from a location proximal to the dispensing subsystem to the at least one reactor module based on experimental design parameters. And, the control circuitry identifies optimum reaction conditions for a target end product based on the analysis.

Described herein are techniques that improve the collection and readout of charge carriers in an integrated circuit. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to integrated circuits having pixels with a plurality of charge storage regions. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to integrated circuits configured to substantially simultaneously collect and read out charge carriers, at least in part. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to integrated circuits having a plurality of pixels configured to transfer charge carriers between charge storage regions within each pixel substantially at the same time. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to integrated circuits having three or more sequentially coupled charge storage regions. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to integrated circuits capable of increased charge transfer rates. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for manufacturing and operating integrated circuits according to the other techniques described herein.

The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing reaction systems with a liquid phase (13) and a gas phase (15), the apparatus (1) comprising at least two tank reactors (3), a common feed line (5), a common drain line (25) for the liquid phase and a common drain line (21) for the gas phase, each tank reactor (3) being connected to the common feed line (5) by a supply line (7), to the common drain line (25) for the liquid phase by a liquid withdrawal line (27) and to the common drain line (21) for the gas phase by a gas withdrawal line (23), wherein the pressure in each tank reactor (3) is controlled by one of: (a) a pressure control (31) in the common feed line (5); (b) a pressure line (29) which is connected to the gas space of each tank reactor (3); (c) a pressure control (31) in the common drain line (21) for the gas phase and a flow restrictor (33) in the common drain line (25) for the liquid phase or a pressure control (31) in the common drain line (25) for the liquid phase and a flow restrictor (33) in the common drain line (21) for the gas phase; or (d) a pressure line (29) which enters into the common drain line (25) for the liquid phase or into the common drain line (21) for the gas phase.

The invention further relates to a process for analyzing reaction systems in such an apparatus.

A parallel multi-step bio-reaction system(10) comprising: (a) a substrate arrangement(12) comprising a plurality of bio-reaction substrate holders(18) configured to hold a plurality of bio-reaction substrates(20); (b) a well arrangement(14) comprising a plurality of fluidic wells(22), the fluidic wells(22) corresponding to a plurality of steps of a multi-step bio-reaction; (c) an actuator(16) configured to: (i) move either the substrate arrangement(12) or the well arrangement(14) relative to the other of the substrate arrangement(12) or the well arrangement(14) to change the alignment of the bio-reaction substrates(20) as a group relative to the fluidic wells(22) as a group; and (ii) bring the bio-reaction substrates(20) into and out of contact with fluids in the fluidic wells(22).

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses used for reaction screening and optimization purposes. An example apparatus includes a plurality of reaction vessels, a dispensing subsystem, at least one reactor module, an analysis subsystem, an automation subsystem, and control circuitry. The dispensing subsystem delivers reagents to the plurality of reaction vessels for a plurality of reaction mixtures having varied reaction conditions. The at least one reactor module drives a plurality of reactions within the plurality of reaction vessels. The analysis subsystem analyzes compositions contained in the plurality of reaction vessels. The automation subsystem selectively moves the plurality of reaction vessels from a location proximal to the dispensing subsystem to the at least one reactor module based on experimental design parameters. And, the control circuitry identifies optimum reaction conditions for a target end product based on the analysis.

A reactor system is disclosed. The reactor system includes a vessel configured to contain a solid support, the vessel including: a vessel wall defining a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a piston operatively arranged at the first end and configured to translate within the reaction chamber; a force measuring device coupled to the piston and configured to measure a load on the piston; a piston driver coupled to the piston; and a processor operably coupled to the force measuring device and the piston driver, the processor configured to: measure a load on the piston using the force measuring device, and adjust a position of the piston using the piston driver based on measuring the load on the piston.

Apparatus for biochemical synthesis having a reaction vessel, a temperature control device for the reaction vessel, a plurality of reservoirs for reaction components, and supply/withdrawal systems, e.g. reciprocating syringe pumps and switchable valves. Agitation of a reaction mixture is effected by withdrawing a part of the mixture from the reaction vessel and returning it thereto.

Apparatus and methods for using a flow cell array are provided herein. An apparatus includes an array comprising one or more pixels, wherein each of the one or more pixels comprises multiple reaction sites openings; a first set of one or more sub-surface channels, wherein each of the multiple reaction site openings is connected to a sub-surface channel from the first set of one or more sub-surface channels; a second set of two or more sub-surface channels; and multiple vias connecting each channel from the first set of one or more sub-surface channels to (i) a first sub-surface channel from the second set of two or more sub-surface channels and (ii) a second sub-surface channel from the second set of two or more sub-surface channels.

Apparatus and methods for using a flow cell array are provided herein. A method includes determining placement of one or more reaction sites on a first component; providing a material for the one or more reaction sites in one or more surface channels of the first component; connecting the first component to a second component to form an array, wherein the one or more surface channels of the first component connect the one or more reaction sites with one or more vias, and wherein the second component comprises the one or more vias connected to multiple sub-surface channels; and aligning the one or more surface channels of the first component with the one or more vias of the second component to form a connection between the first component and the second component.

The present invention provides a system for performing reactions, where the system comprises a plurality of synthesisers that are in communication via a communal reporting platform. A synthesiser is programmed for the automated synthesis of one or more chemical or biological reactions, and the synthesiser comprises a reaction vessel which is supplied by a reagent delivery system, an analytical system for analysing a reaction, and a controller for managing the reagent delivery system and the analytical system, and for communication with the reporting platform. Also provided are methods for performing a plurality or reactions using the system.