The present invention provides improved automated systems and methods for synthesis of biopolymers including DNA and RNA. The automated systems and methods represent a number of improvements over existing systems for multiplex synthesis of biopolymers in a combinatorial fashion.

Parallel reactor systems for synthesizing materials are disclosed. The reactor systems may be suitable for synthesizing materials produced from corrosive reagents. Methods for preparing materials by use of such parallel reactor systems are also disclosed.

The invention features methods of making devices, or platens, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

A flow control device, a system and a method are disclosed. The flow control device comprises a displaceable means (101) having a direction of displacement and being displaceable between a first position and a second position. The flow control device further comprises a body (110) comprising a first cavity (102) in fluid contact with a first side of the displaceable means (102) forming a first volume. The first cavity further comprising a first inlet (103), a primary outlet (104) with a primary flow resistance and arranged essentially parallel with the displacement direction, wherein the primary outlet comprises an inlet opening (105) facing the displaceable means at a first distance (106) from the displaceable means in the direction of displacement, a secondary outlet (107) with a secondary flow resistance, wherein the displaceable means is displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first fluid path (108) between the first inlet (103) and the primary outlet (104) is provided, and a second flow path (109) between the inlet (103) and the secondary outlet (107) is provided; In the second position, the displaceable means is displaced at least the first distance and close the inlet opening (105) of the primary outlet, whereby the inlet opening (105) is blocked, and the second fluid path (109) between the first inlet (103) and the secondary outlet (107) is maintained.

Provided herein are monoliths with attached recognition compounds which selectively bind ligands, methods of preparing such monoliths, arrays thereof and uses thereof. For example, monoliths provide herein can be used in columns and arrays thereof.

The invention features methods of making devices, or platens, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Provided herein are monoliths with attached recognition compounds which selectively bind ligands, methods of preparing such monoliths, arrays thereof and uses thereof. For example, monoliths provide herein can be used in columns and arrays thereof.

An apparatus for microwave assisted solid phase synthesis using solid-phase resin beads mixed with a liquid solvent comprising a generally cylindrical reactor made of microwave transparent material and having a central axis, the reactor having an inlet and an outlet; a porous frit associated with the outlet of the reactor, the porous frit preventing discharge of beads and allowing discharge of the solvent from the reactor; and means for concentric rotation of the reactor around the central axis in alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. A method for microwave assisted solid phase synthesis using the apparatus is also disclosed.

A flow control device, a system and a method are disclosed. The flow control device comprises a displaceable means (101) having a direction of displacement and being displaceable between a first position and a second position. The flow control device further comprises a body (110) comprising a first cavity (102) in fluid contact with a first side of the displaceable means (102) forming a first volume. The first cavity further comprising a first inlet (103), a primary outlet (104) with a primary flow resistance and arranged essentially parallel with the displacement direction, wherein the primary outlet comprises an inlet opening (105) facing the displaceable means at a first distance (106) from the displaceable means in the direction of displacement, a secondary outlet (107) with a secondary flow resistance, wherein the displaceable means is displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first fluid path (108) between the first inlet (103) and the primary outlet (104) is provided, and a second flow path (109) between the inlet (103) and the secondary outlet (107) is provided; In the second position, the displaceable means is displaced at least the first distance and close the inlet opening (105) of the primary outlet, whereby the inlet opening (105) is blocked, and the second fluid path (109) between the first inlet (103) and the secondary outlet (107) is maintained.

A process (and a related system) for collecting samples of a polymerization catalyst or of a catalyst-containing polymer from an operation unit, having an upper end and a lower end, of a polymerization plant, including the steps of: a) extracting a prefixed amount of product from the lower end of the operation unit through a discharge valve; b) directing the product towards a filtering unit through an inlet valve; c) flushing an inert gas through the filtering unit; d) outgassing the filtering unit, through the outlet valve; and e) displacing the filtering unit, for collecting the sample.