Combinatorial chemical synthesis

Abstract

Combinatorial synthesis methods obtain a plurality of compositions having materially different characteristics using an apparatus having a plurality of collectors. A first quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a first quantity of product composition. Following completion of the collection of the first quantity of product composition, a second quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a second quantity of product composition, the second quantity of product composition being material different from the first quantity of product composition. An apparatus includes a nozzle connected to a reactant source and a plurality of collectors. The nozzle and plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the nozzle. The plurality of product compositions can be evaluated to determine their suitability for various applications.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a nozzle connected to a reactant source; and    a plurality of collectors, wherein the nozzle and the plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the nozzle, each collector comprising a gas permeable membrane.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a reaction chamber wherein the reaction chamber is closed from the ambient environment.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of collectors are connected to a pump.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is fixed in position and the plurality of collectors move relative to the nozzle.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of collectors are fixed in position and the nozzle moves relative to the collectors.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising directing optical elements that define a radiation path through the reaction chamber that intersects a fluid stream from the nozzle.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a laser and optics that direct a laser beam along the radiation path.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the laser is a CO 2  laser.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a shielding gas inlet connected to an inert gas source wherein the shielding gas inlet is oriented to direct a stream of shielding gas to confine the fluid reactant stream.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle comprises an elongated reactant inlet having an opening with a length along its major axis being at least twice its width along its minor axis.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle comprises a plurality of inlets oriented such that reactants from the inlets are combined within the reaction chamber.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is mounted on a slide, the plurality of collectors are positioned in a linear configuration parallel to the length of the slide and the nozzle is connected to a motor such that movement of the motor positions the nozzle along the slide.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of collectors comprises an array of separate collectors.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the array is a one dimensional array.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the array is a two dimensional array.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of collectors comprises a sheet of filter material and each collector comprises a separate portion of the filter material.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second nozzle movable relative to a plurality of collectors.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a nozzle connected to a reactant source;    a plurality of collectors, wherein the nozzle and the plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the nozzle; and    a product composition within the fluid stream.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the product composition comprises particles.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a second nozzle connected to a reactant source and a second plurality of collectors, wherein the second nozzle and the second plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the second nozzle.