Cem Corporation

Michael J Collins, Sr

Joseph Joshua Lambert

Wyatt P Hargett

Paul C Elliott

Matthew N Beard

Ronald J Goetchius

Michael John Collins

Bernard W Cruse, Jr

James Edward Thomas

Jonathan McKinnon Collins

E Keller Barnhardt

Cindy Rushing Moser

Michael E McManus

Dennis P Manchester

An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure.

Rapid sample preparation for analytical analysis using dispersive energized extraction

An energized dispersive extraction method for sample preparation for analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing an extraction solvent, sorbent particles, and a sample matrix containing an analyte in a heat conductive sample cup; positioning the sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber; dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber; heating the sample matrix and the solvent in the sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature that generates an above-atmospheric pressure; draining the solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure; and collecting the solvent extract for analysis.

Rapid energized dispersive solid phase extraction (SPE) for analytical analysis

An instrument for extraction based molecular sample preparation and related processes is disclosed. The instrument includes a thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber and a thermally conductive sample cup positioned in the thermally conductive pressure resistant healing chamber for heating liquids and solids together in the thermally conductive sample cup. A liquid delivery inlet fixture in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber delivers liquids (solvent) from a supply to the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber, and a chiller in liquid communication with the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber receives heated liquids from the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber when the chamber is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Instrument for analytical sample preparation

A method of element testing is disclosed that includes the steps of weighing a sample, pressing the sample between pads, applying microwave radiation to the sample and pads in the presence of a microwave susceptor material and ashing the pressed sample, adding the pads and the ashed sample to an acid, and forwarding filtrate from the pad-sample-acid mixture to a spectrometer.

Rapid quantitative element testing

An instrument and associated method are disclosed for preparing samples for column chromatography. The method includes the steps of applying microwave energy to a sample composition containing at least one solvent to encourage a chemical reaction and generate desired products, thereafter mixing an absorbent media with the sample to absorb the solvent, the media being compatible with liquid chromatography that will separate the expected products, being chemically inert to the expected products, and being added in an amount sufficient to provide a substantially dry mixture of the media and the sample, but less than an amount that overly broadens the resolution of the sample during liquid chromatography, thereafter applying microwave energy to the dry mixture of the media and the sample to thereby encourage the solvent to evaporate under the influence of the microwave energy, and thereafter adding the dry mixture of the media and the remaining sample to a liquid chromatography column and separating the components of the remaining sample for identification and purification purposes.

Microwave-assisted chromatography preparation

An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the accelerated synthesis of peptides by the solid phase method. The instrument includes a microwave cavity, a microwave source in communication with the cavity, a column in the cavity formed of a material that is transparent to microwave radiation, a solid phase peptide support resin in the column, respective filters for maintaining the solid phase support resin in the column, a first passageway for adding starting compositions to the column, a second passageway for removing compositions from the column, and a third passageway for circulating compositions from the column into the third passageway and back to the column.

Microwave-assisted peptide synthesis

The invention is an instrument and method for microwave-assisted chemical synthesis. The instrument includes a source of microwave radiation for applying microwave energy to a sample, a microwave cavity in wave communication with the source for holding the sample during the application of microwave energy, and a substantially monochromatic radiation source in electromagnetic communication with the cavity for applying substantially monochromatic light to the sample. The instrument further includes a detector positioned to detect Raman scattering of light from the monochromatic source by the sample, and a controller in signal communication with the microwave energy source and the Raman scattering detector for moderating the application of microwave energy to the sample based upon the detected Raman scattering.

Spectroscopy-based real-time control for microwave-assisted chemistry

A microwave oven particularly suitable for laboratory analytical use is described. The oven is designed for chemical digestion and the drying of materials to very low moisture levels. The oven utilizes a rotating platform to move the material being subjected to microwave radiation through the oven chamber to ensure uniform contact of the microwaves with the material. Radiation mixers and radiation isolators are also used to disperse radiation in the oven and absorb excess radiation.

Microwave heating apparatus for laboratory analyses

An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring volatiles, solids and solvent extractables is described which provides rapid and accurate determinations using microwave heating, electronic balance weighing and solvent extracting of solubles. The method involves subjecting a weighed sample to microwave drying for a preselected time, reweighing to obtain the dry weight and determine volatile loss, solvent extracting the dried sample to determine fats, oils and other extractables followed by final measurement of residual solids. The apparatus is preferably automated to sequentially actuate the required weighing, microwave heating, solvent extraction, redrying, reweighing and calculation of the percentages of volatiles, solvent solubles and solids. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for analytical uses in the food and dairy industries.

Analytical method for determining volatiles, solids and solvent

An apparatus for controllably heating material, such as a material to be analyzed for volatiles or non-volatiles contents, directly and indirectly by microwave radiation, includes a chamber, in which the material to be heated is placed, a source of microwave radiation, for radiating onto materials in the chamber and for controllably heating such a material, and a support for such material, which support includes a matrix of a material which transmits microwave radiation, and also includes particulate material therein which absorbs microwave radiation. The absorptive material is one that has a Curie temperature, above which it is transmissive of microwave radiation, so as thereby to prevent excessive heating of the support and the supported material which is to be heated. The matrix material is stable and form-retaining at the Curie temperature of the dispersed material. Preferably the support matrix will be of a silicone rubber or of a polyfluoroalkylene polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and the dispersed material will be a ferrite, garnet or a mixture thereof. The apparatus may include a turntable for one or more supports, an automatic electronic balance, computerized controls and readout means. Also within the invention are the described support, and processes for heating and drying, in a preferred embodiment of which processes a particulate diluent or dispersant for the sample being treated is employed to prevent overheating of the sample.

Analytical process in which materials to be analyzed are directly and

Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization. Preferably, a microcomputer in the automatic volatility computer is employed to compute fat content from electronic feeds to it from the density and the solids content determining apparatuses. By use of the described apparatuses and processes rapid determinations of fat contents of materials may be made, facilitating modifications of production procedures to provide products of desired fat content, thereby preventing the production of off-specification materials and avoiding producing over-specification products which might otherwise be manufactured to avoid non-compliance with requirements for minimum fat contents of products.

Analytical apparatus and process

Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization. Preferably, a microcomputer in the automatic volatility computer is employed to compute fat content from electronic feeds to it from the density and the solids content determining apparatuses.

Apparatus and process for automatically determining fat contents of foods

An apparatus for controllably heating material directly and indirectly by microwave radiation comprises a chamber in which the material to be heated (often to dryness, as for analysis) is placed, a source of microwave radiation for radiating into materials in such chamber for controllably heating such a material, and a support for such material, which support comprises a matrix of microwave radiation-transmissive material and a particulate microwave absorptive material dispersed in such matric material, which microwave absorptive material has a Curie temperature, above which it becomes microwave transmissive, so as thereby to prevent excessive heating of the support and the material thereon which is to be controllably heated, and which matrix material is stable and form-retaining at the Curie temperature of the dispersed material. Preferably the support will be of a silicone rubber or a polyfluoroalkylene polymer matrix, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and the dispersed material therein will be a ferrite, garnet or mixture thereof. The apparatus may include a turntable for carrying a plurality of supports or it may include an automatic electronic balance, in both of which embodiments of the invention computerized controls and/or readout means may be present. Also within the invention are the described support, and processes for effecting such heating and/or drying, in one of which processes a particulate diluent or dispersant for the sample being treated is employed to prevent overheating thereof.

Apparatuses, processes and articles for controllably heating and drying

An apparatus for ashing materials which comprises a chamber, a source of microwave radiation for direction onto contents of the chamber, and in the chamber a support, such as a fused quartz pad or crucible, for the material to be ashed, and an ashing means of a stable microwave absorptive material, capable of being heated to high temperature by microwave radiation, such as a flat block of silicon carbide or a plurality of such blocks with openings therein to accommodate the crucible. The ashing means is in contact with the support for the material to be ashed and is capable of heating such support and such material to an ashing temperature. When a fused quartz fiber pad, preferably of the non-woven cloth type, is employed on top of and in contact with the ashing means of microwave absorptive material, as a support for the material to be ashed, it is preferred to cover such material with another such pad, which inhibits loss of the ash due to its being carried out of the chamber, as by an exhaust fan, while yet permitting the release of gases generated during the ashing process. Also disclosed are processes for ashing materials and for analyzing such materials for ash content, which processes may be practiced with the aid of the described apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Matthews, NC, United States of America

Michael J Collins, Sr