A high-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization includes a composition spread device to prepare continuous or discrete composition distribution as precursor of the high-throughput experimental samples library, a low temperature diffusion mixing device to thoroughly mix the composition spread in the thickness direction through diffusion at a relatively low temperature to form an amorphous precursor, and an integrated synthesis-characterization unit for heat treatment of the material library precursor in either a parallel or point-by-point scanning mode at different thermodynamic conditions for phase formation and to characterize features or properties of the materials of interest in an in-situ and real-time manner. The integrated synthesis-characterization unit includes a chamber maintained at desired vacuum and atmosphere, a micro-heating source, an excitation source, a signal collector, and a sample holder.

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.

Disclosed herein are methods for forming one or more nanoparticles. The methods include depositing a solution comprising a block copolymer and a metal salt into one or more square pyramidal nanoholes formed in a substrate, and annealing the substrate to provide a single nanoparticle in each of the one or more square pyramidal nanoholes.

A multi-channel direct-deposit assembly method is disclosed to high-throughput synthesize three-dimensional macroporous/mesoporous (3DMM) material array with precisely controlled composition, pore size, and pore structure. The macropore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 50-1000 nm; the mesopore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 1-50 nm. The surface area of the 3DMM material is in the range of 20-1000 m.sup.2/g. The 3DMM material array can be used for rapid synthesis, screening and manufacture of catalysts and nanosensors.

Disclosed is a technology based upon the nesting of tubes to provide chemical reactors or chemical reactors with built in heat exchanger. As a chemical reactor, the technology provides the ability to manage the temperature within a process flow for improved performance, control the location of reactions for corrosion control, or implement multiple process steps within the same piece of equipment. As a chemical reactor with built in heat exchanger, the technology can provide large surface areas per unit volume and large heat transfer coefficients. The technology can recover the thermal energy from the product flow to heat the reactant flow to the reactant temperature, significantly reducing the energy needs for accomplishment of a process.

Disclosed herein are devices comprising: a sample conduit providing a path for fluid flow extending from a sample inlet to a sample outlet; a thermal housing enclosing the sample conduit, wherein the thermal housing comprises a plurality of measurement regions; and a motorized stage translatable along the thermal housing from a first location to a second location so as to align a detector with one or more of the plurality of measurement regions. Also disclosed are methods of use of the devices described herein.

Disclosed is a technology based upon the nesting of tubes to provide chemical reactors or chemical reactors with built in heat exchanger. As a chemical reactor, the technology provides the ability to manage the temperature within a process flow for improved performance, control the location of reactions for corrosion control, or implement multiple process steps within the same piece of equipment. As a chemical reactor with built in heat exchanger, the technology can provide large surface areas per unit volume and large heat transfer coefficients. The technology can recover the thermal energy from the product flow to heat the reactant flow to the reactant temperature, significantly reducing the energy needs for accomplishment of a process.

In the thermochemical water splitting process by the CuCl cycle, oxygen gas is produced by a thermolysis process in a three-phase reactor. A precise knowledge of the hydrodynamic and heat transfer analyses is required for the scale-up of the thermolysis reactor. However, in the experimental studies of the scale up analysis, there are some challenges in using the actual materials of the thermolysis reactor products (i.e. molten salt CuCl and oxygen gas). In accordance with the teachings herein, alternative materials are defined, by using dimensional analyses, to simulate the hydrodynamic and heat transfer behaviors of the actual materials. It has been found that these alternative materials are liquid water at 222 C. and helium gas at 902 C. The alternative materials provide safe environment for the experimental runs as well as lower operating temperature. Furthermore, these alternative materials are more readily available and are low cost.

A multi-channel direct-deposit assembly method is disclosed to high-throughput synthesize three-dimensional macroporous/mesoporous (3DMM) material array with precisely controlled composition, pore size, and pore structure. The macropore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 50-1000 nm; the mesopore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 1-50 nm. The surface area of the 3DMM material is in the range of 20-1000 m.sup.2/g. The 3DMM material array can be used for rapid synthesis, screening and manufacture of catalysts and nanosensors.

Disclosed is a technology based upon the nesting of tubes to provide chemical reactors or chemical reactors with built in heat exchanger. As a chemical reactor, the technology provides the ability to manage the temperature within a process flow for improved performance, control the location of reactions for corrosion control, or implement multiple process steps within the same piece of equipment. As a chemical reactor with built in heat exchanger, the technology can provide large surface areas per unit volume and large heat transfer coefficients. The technology can recover the thermal energy from the product flow to heat the reactant flow to the reactant temperature, significantly reducing the energy needs for accomplishment of a process.