Disclosed is a device for automated synthesis of homogenous slurry of metal nanoparticles operating under redox controlled conditions by wet chemical reaction method. Device comprises a three-layer reactor unit, multi-feed covering unit, an electric stirring unit system and ground fixing foundation unit.

A method operates a production plant, the method having process modules, wherein, for each process module, the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is continuously or discretely detected and compared with a prescribed limit value for the amount, wherein a mass inflow into the respective process module is increased or decreased if the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is less than or greater than the limit value for the amount, or a mass outflow from the respective process module is increased or decreased if the amount of material that is respectively present in this process module and is to be processed by this process module is greater than or less than the limit value for the amount.

A reaction cell for an automated peptide synthesizer consists of a body having adjacent first and second reaction wells for simultaneous reactions. The first reaction well is in fluid communication with the second reaction well for reagent pre-activation simultaneously with an amino acid addition for solid state peptide production.

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.

Methods to fabricate tightly packed arrays of nanoparticles are disclosed, without relying on organic ligands or a substrate. In some variations, a method of assembling particles into an array comprises dispersing particles in a liquid solution; introducing a triggerable pH-control substance capable of generating an acid or a base; and triggering the pH-control substance to generate an acid or a base within the liquid solution, thereby titrating the pH. During pH titration, the particle-surface charge magnitude is reduced, causing the particles to assemble into a particle array. Other variations provide a device for assembling particles into particle arrays, comprising a droplet-generating microfluidic region; a first-fluid inlet port; a second-fluid inlet port; a reaction microfluidic region, disposed in fluid communication with the droplet-generating microfluidic region; and a trigger source configured to trigger generation of an acid or a base from at least one pH-control substance contained within the reaction microfluidic region.

A system and method are disclosed. A system for contacting a mobile solid phase with a flowing fluid phase includes: one or more reaction module, wherein the one or more reaction module comprises a conduit for the passage of a fluid phase and a solid phase, the conduit comprising a fluid input port and a fluid outlet port, and a first service module operably connected to a first side of a reaction module, the first service module for supplying and/or receiving the fluid phase to and/or from the reaction module, wherein the system is configured for passing a solid phase through the reaction module, via the conduit.

Chemical synthesizer systems and methods for operating the same. One method includes receiving a first queue of instructions including a plurality of delivery instructions for operating a delivery assembly with respect to a plurality of synthesis plates and a plurality of vacuum instructions, grouped in a plurality of vacuum sections, for operating a vacuum assembly with respect to the plurality of synthesis plates. The method also includes sequentially processing each instruction included in the first queue of instructions by (i) executing the instruction when the instruction is one of the plurality of delivery instructions and (ii) moving, when the instruction is one of the plurality of vacuum instructions, one of the plurality of vacuum sections including the instruction to a second queue of instructions and executing instructions included in the second queue of instruction in parallel with instructions included in the first queue of instructions.

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.

Methods to fabricate tightly packed arrays of nanoparticles are disclosed, without relying on organic ligands or a substrate. In some variations, a method of assembling particles into an array comprises dispersing particles in a liquid solution; introducing a triggerable pH-control substance capable of generating an acid or a base; and triggering the pH-control substance to generate an acid or a base within the liquid solution, thereby titrating the pH. During pH titration, the particle-surface charge magnitude is reduced, causing the particles to assemble into a particle array. Other variations provide a device for assembling particles into particle arrays, comprising a droplet-generating microfluidic region; a first-fluid inlet port; a second-fluid inlet port; a reaction microfluidic region, disposed in fluid communication with the droplet-generating microfluidic region; and a trigger source configured to trigger generation of an acid or a base from at least one pH-control substance contained within the reaction microfluidic region.

A flow cell and cartridge assembly may be loaded into a processing system, such as for genetic sequencing. The system locates the assembly and is then actuated to move the assembly to a desired reference position in both X- and Y-directions. Further actuation causes clamps to contact the flow cell, the cartridge, or both to exert a hold-down force during processing. Further hold-down forces may be provided by a vacuum chuck. Fluid connections are also made by manifolds that contact the flow cell. The hold-down forces counteract the forces needed for sealing the manifolds to the flow cell.