U.S. patent application number 10/736011 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for chemical reaction processing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ootaki, Takugo, Sasaki, Takayoshi, Watanabe, Mamoru, Yanase, Ikuo.
Application Number | 20040132206 10/736011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18555349 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040132206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe, Mamoru ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Chemical reaction processing apparatus
Abstract
The present invention relates to a chemical reaction processing
method for producing and analyzing a plurality of samples,
including a measuring and mixing step of producing the samples in
different mixing ratios by mixing raw inorganic materials and of
arranging the samples in predetermined quantities on a reaction
tray, a flattening step of flattening surfaces of the samples on
the reaction tray, a heat treating step of heat-treating the
samples on the reaction tray all at once, an X-ray diffraction
measurement step of sequentially performing the X-ray diffraction
measurement on the samples on the reaction tray, and an analyzing
step of analyzing measurement results obtained in the X-ray
diffraction measurement step.
Inventors: |
Watanabe, Mamoru;
(Tsukuba-shi, JP) ; Yanase, Ikuo; (Tokyo, JP)
; Sasaki, Takayoshi; (Tsukuba-shi, JP) ; Ootaki,
Takugo; (Matsudo-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OMORI & YAGUCHI USA, LLC
EIGHT PENN CENTER, SUITE 1360
1628 JOHN F. KENNEDY BOULEVARD
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
18555349 |
Appl. No.: |
10/736011 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10736011 |
Dec 15, 2003 |
|
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09521765 |
Mar 9, 2000 |
|
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|
6692698 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
436/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01J 2219/00484
20130101; B01J 2219/00308 20130101; B01J 2219/00479 20130101; B01J
2219/00691 20130101; G01N 2035/00188 20130101; B01J 2219/00689
20130101; B01J 2219/0059 20130101; G01N 35/0099 20130101; G01N
2035/00534 20130101; B01J 2219/00704 20130101; B01J 2219/00495
20130101; B01J 2219/00364 20130101; G01N 2035/00277 20130101; B01J
2219/00745 20130101; G01N 23/207 20130101; G01N 2035/00376
20130101; Y10T 436/11 20150115; B01J 2219/00283 20130101; Y10T
436/25 20150115; B01J 2219/00585 20130101; B01J 19/0046 20130101;
C40B 40/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/174 |
International
Class: |
G01N 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2000 |
JP |
2000-030320 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chemical reaction processing method for producing a plurality
of samples, each sample obtained by mixing a plurality of raw
inorganic materials in its own predetermined mixing ratio, and for
analyzing the samples, comprising: a measuring and mixing step,
including (A) a raw material distribution step wherein each raw
inorganic material is measured by volume and is distributed in
predetermined quantities into mixing vessels, in which the raw
inorganic materials are mixed to produce the samples, and (B) a
sample transfer step of transferring the samples from the mixing
vessels to a reaction tray on which the samples are arranged in
respective predetermined quantities; a flattening step of
flattening surfaces of the samples on the reaction tray; a heat
treating step of heat-treating the samples on the reaction tray all
at once; a measurement step of sequentially performing a
predetermined measurement on the samples on the reaction tray; and
an analyzing step of analyzing measurement results obtained in said
measurement step.
2. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein each of the raw inorganic materials is in the form of a
slurry.
3. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein each of the raw inorganic materials is in the form of a
liquid.
4. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said measuring and mixing step includes a mixing vessel
holding step of holding the mixing vessels in which the raw
materials are distributed and mixed to produce the samples.
5. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein molarity of an element is made the same for all the raw
materials in order to have the samples in all the mixing vessels
with the same volume as well as with the same total number of moles
of the elements of the raw inorganic materials.
6. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 4,
wherein said measuring and mixing step includes an agitating step
of agitating the samples in the mixing vessels during said mixing
vessel holding step.
8. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the transfer of each sample to the reaction tray in said
sample transfer step is made a plurality of times.
9. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said flattening step comprises a press-molding step of
pressing the samples on the reaction tray to make the sample
surfaces flat.
10. The chemical reaction processing method as set forth in claim
1, wherein said flattening step comprises a cutting step of cutting
off heaped portions of the samples on the reaction tray to make the
sample surfaces flat.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/521,765 filed on Mar. 9, 2000. The entire
disclosure of the aforesaid application is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a chemical reaction
processing apparatus and a chemical reaction processing method
capable of obtaining many products by means of a combinatorial
method, for example, and efficiently analyzing properties of these
many products, and to a measuring and mixing apparatus used for the
above apparatus and method.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The crystal structure, composition, and crystal grain size
of ceramic materials can now be controlled on a micron- to
nano-scale due to the recent progress in fine ceramics technology.
The application range of ceramic materials to electronic components
is therefore rapidly widening.
[0006] Especially, metal oxide has a wide variety of solid-state
properties such as dielectric properties, magnetic properties, and
electric conductive properties. Because of the various properties
of ceramic materials including non-stoichiometry and anisotropy of
the crystal structure, there are many parameters to control during
the ceramic materials fabrication.
[0007] In a conventional method in which materials are produced one
by one and their properties are individually examined, it takes a
tremendous amount of time to obtain desired materials. A key to
exploring new ceramic materials is systematic control of various
combinations of a wide variety of raw materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is made in view of the above
situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a
chemical reaction processing apparatus and a chemical reaction
processing method capable of obtaining various chemical products
with easy control and efficiently analyzing and evaluating them,
and to provide a measuring and mixing apparatus used for the above
apparatus and method.
[0009] To attain the above object, a first main aspect of the
present invention is a chemical reaction processing apparatus for
producing a plurality of samples, each sample obtained by mixing a
plurality of raw inorganic materials in its own predetermined
mixing ratio, and for analyzing the samples, comprising: a
measuring and mixing section for producing the samples and for
arranging the samples in respective predetermined quantities on a
reaction tray; a heat treating section for heat-treating the
samples on the reaction tray all at once; a measurement section for
sequentially performing a predetermined measurement on the samples
on the reaction tray; and an analyzing section for analyzing
measurement results obtained in the measurement section.
[0010] According to the aforesaid configuration, various products
can be obtained at a time by a combinatorial method, and these
products can be analyzed and evaluated efficiently.
[0011] It is preferable that the aforesaid raw materials are in the
form of a slurry or a liquid.
[0012] The measuring and mixing section comprises a raw material
distribution mechanism wherein each raw material is measured by
volume and is distributed in predetermined quantities into mixing
vessels, in which the raw inorganic materials are mixed to produce
the samples.
[0013] According to the aforesaid configuration, each raw material
can be measured by means of pipette suction or discharge volume;
therefore, the composition and distribution can be easily
controlled. Moreover, the use of slurry-like raw materials makes
mixing of raw materials efficient. It is preferable that the
measuring and mixing section includes an agitating means in order
to make the mixtures as uniform as possible.
[0014] Further, it is preferable that the measuring and mixing
section includes a mixing vessel holding section for holding the
mixing vessels in which the raw materials are distributed and
mixed.
[0015] The measuring and mixing section further comprises a sample
transfer mechanism for transferring the samples from the mixing
vessels to the reaction tray on which the samples are arranged in
respective predetermined quantities.
[0016] According to the aforesaid configuration, the raw materials
are transferred to the reaction tray after being mixed once in the
mixing vessels, whereby mixing of the materials can be made more
effectively than the case wherein the raw materials are directly
distributed to the reaction tray and mixed therein.
[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the samples in all the
mixing vessels have approximately the same volume as well as
approximately the same total number of moles of the elements of the
raw materials. As a result, samples even with different molar
fractions of raw materials have approximately the same number of
moles per unit volume.
[0018] Thus, measurement conditions can be adjusted easily even for
different samples in the analyzing process.
[0019] It is preferable that the transfer of the samples to the
reaction tray is made over a plurality of times each in a small
quantity, so that the samples can be dried fast.
[0020] Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a flattening means for
flattening the surfaces of the samples on the reaction tray. The
flattening means preferably comprises a press-molding plate for
pressing the samples to make the sample surfaces almost flat. As a
result, measurements in the measurement section can be performed
accurately. Instead of the press-molding plate, a cutting means may
be used as the flattening means for cutting off heaped portions of
the samples to make the sample surfaces almost flat.
[0021] A second main aspect of the present invention is a measuring
and mixing apparatus for producing a plurality of samples, each
sample obtained by mixing a plurality of raw inorganic materials in
its own predetermined mixing ratio, comprising: a raw material
distribution means wherein each raw inorganic material is measured
by volume and is distributed in predetermined quantities into
mixing vessels in which the raw inorganic materials are mixed to
produce the samples; and a sample transfer means for transferring
the samples from the mixing vessels to a reaction tray on which the
samples are arranged in respective predetermined quantities. It is
preferable that this measuring and mixing apparatus is used for the
chemical reaction processing apparatus according to the first
aspect of the present invention, and it is more preferable that the
measuring and mixing apparatus includes the aforesaid
characteristics of the measuring and mixing section of the chemical
reaction processing apparatus.
[0022] A third aspect of the present invention is a chemical
reaction processing method for producing a plurality of samples,
each sample obtained by mixing a plurality of raw inorganic
materials in its own predetermined mixing ratio, and for analyzing
the samples, comprising: a measuring and mixing step of producing
the samples and of arranging the samples in respective
predetermined quantities on a reaction tray; a heat treating step
of heat-treating the samples on the reaction tray all at once; a
measurement step of sequentially performing a predetermined
measurement on the samples on the reaction tray; and an analyzing
step of analyzing measurement results obtained in said measurement
step.
[0023] According to the aforesaid configuration, various products
can be obtained at a time by a combinatorial method, and these
products can be analyzed and evaluated efficiently.
[0024] Other characteristics and remarkable effects of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the following specification when taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 2(a)-(d) are schematic diagrams each showing a
processing step.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration
of a measuring and mixing section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] A combinatorial synthesizing system as a preferred
embodiment of the present invention is explained below with
reference to the drawings.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the system is comprised of a measuring
and mixing section 1 for volume-measuring, distributing, and mixing
inorganic raw materials to produce samples; a heating apparatus
section 2 for heat-treating the samples; an X-ray diffraction
apparatus section 3 for performing an X-ray diffraction measurement
on the heat-treated samples; and a transport mechanism 4 for
transporting the samples from the section 1 through 3. The system
further includes a central control section 5, which automatically
controls operations such as measuring the raw materials by volume,
distributing them to mixing vessels, mixing the materials in the
mixing vessels to produce the samples, transferring the samples to
a reaction tray, controlling atmosphere, heat-treating the samples,
and performing the X-ray diffraction measurement on the samples.
The central control section 5 is connected to a data collating and
analyzing apparatus section 6, which carries out the task of phase
identification and generates reaction diagrams by collating the
obtained data with a database.
[0030] FIGS. 2(a)-(d) are diagrams schematizing the processing
steps in the aforesaid system, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram
showing a control system for the measuring and mixing section 1.
Each of these components is explained in detail below with
reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring and mixing section 1
includes: a plurality of raw material bottle holding sections 11,
each for holding a raw material bottle 10 which contains a
slurry-like raw material; a mixing vessel holding section 13 for
holding a plurality of mixing vessels 12 (test tubes, for example)
in which the raw materials are distributed and mixed to produce
samples in different predetermined mixing ratios; and a reaction
tray holding section 16 for holding a reaction tray 15 having a
plurality of recessed portions 14 to which the samples in the
mixing vessels 12 are respectively transferred. In the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2(a), twenty-five mixing
vessels 12 are prepared so that 25 different samples with
respective mixing ratios of raw materials can be made. The reaction
tray 15 has 25 recessed portions 14, each having a predetermined
capacity, corresponding to the number of the mixing vessels 12.
[0032] Further, the measuring and mixing section 1 includes: raw
material distribution pipettes 17, each moving from one of the raw
material bottles 10 to the mixing vessels 12; and a sample transfer
pipette 18 moving between the mixing vessels 12 and the reaction
tray 15 by means of the transport mechanism 4. The raw material
distribution pipettes 17 and the sample transfer pipette 18 are
detachably held by a head 19 of the transport mechanism 4 as shown
by dotted line in FIG. 1.
[0033] Furthermore, an agitating mechanism 20 for performing
agitation by giving vibration to the mixing vessels 12 is attached
to the mixing vessel holding section 13. A heating element 22 such
as a heater is provided in the reaction tray holding section 16. A
hand 32, detachably attached to the head 19 of the transport
mechanism 4, for gripping and transporting the reaction tray 15 is
provided at a position opposite to the reaction tray holding
section 16.
[0034] As described later in detail, a flattening means 40 such as
a press-molding plate is provided for flattening surfaces of the
samples. This flattening means can be placed anywhere as long as
the flattening operation can be performed before the X-ray
diffraction measurement.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system for the
measuring and mixing section 1. A suction and discharge quantity
control section 24 is connected to the raw material distribution
pipettes 17 and the sample transfer pipette 18, and controls the
suction and discharge quantities of these pipettes. An atmosphere
gas supply section 25 continuously supplies, for example, dry air
at a predetermined temperature in order to suitably control
atmosphere inside the measuring and mixing section 1. The
atmosphere gas supply section 25 can also control atmosphere in the
heating apparatus section 2 and the X-ray diffraction apparatus
section 3 individually.
[0036] Further, a measuring and mixing control section 26 shown in
FIG. 3 is provided in the central control section 5. A mixing
pattern setting section 27, a raw material distribution sequence
storing section 28, a sample transfer sequence storing section 29,
and an atmosphere control sequence storing section 30 are connected
to the measuring and mixing control section 26. In the mixing
pattern setting section 27, mixing ratios of the raw materials,
determined by means of molar fractions, are stored for the
respective mixing vessels 12 (explained in detail later). In the
raw material distribution sequence storing section 28 and the
sample transfer sequence storing section 29, movement routes of the
pipettes 17 and 18 during the raw material distribution and sample
transfer operations are respectively stored. In the atmosphere
control sequence storing section 30, operation timing of the
atmosphere gas supply section 25 is stored.
[0037] The operation of each section is explained in detail
below.
[0038] First, the raw material distribution operation is explained
as follows. As shown in FIG. 2(a), by use of one of the raw
material distribution pipettes 17, each raw material is extracted
from its own raw material bottle 10 and is distributed into the
mixing vessels 12 in predetermined quantities. This operation is
repeated for all the raw materials to produce samples in the mixing
vessels 12 in different mixing ratios. In this embodiment,
slurry-like raw materials are used; therefore, these raw materials
can be measured by the suction and discharge volume of the pipettes
17 and 18.
[0039] In the above description, "slurry" means a fluid substance
suspended with fine solid particles (with a particle diameter of
several ten nanometers to several hundred nanometers). The slurry
used in the present embodiment is metal oxide (TiO.sub.2,
SnO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, for example), which resembles a slurry
obtained by adding water to clay. In this embodiment, it is
preferable that the raw material slurry is composed of metal oxide
particles with a particle diameter of 30 nm to 100 nm (1
mm=10.sup.6 nm) suspended in water or organic solvent (ethanol, for
example). The concentration of the raw material slurry used in this
embodiment is 40 wt % maximum (for example, 60 g of water+40 g of
oxide) and 5 wt % minimum approximately.
[0040] When different sorts of raw material slurry are mixed,
aggregation of different sorts of fine particles commonly occurs,
making it difficult to obtain homogeneous slurry. In this
embodiment, the agitating mechanism 20 is provided in order to
overcome the above disadvantage. Aggregation may also be prevented
by application of supersonic waves, bubbling of inactive gas, or a
chemical method (for example, addition of a special surfactant)
instead of the above mechanical agitation.
[0041] When the raw materials are measured by means of the
discharge volume of the pipettes 17, the minimum discharge volume
should be beyond its measurement error so that a significant
difference in mixing profile can be obtained between the two
samples with the closest mixing ratios. Thus, accuracy of the
discharge volume measurement as well as increments in values of the
mixing ratios should be taken into consideration in determining the
minimum discharge volume.
[0042] In order to easily obtain samples with approximately the
same volume, the molarity of an element needs to be made equal for
all the raw materials prior to mixing. This can be arranged as
follows. Let the elements be A, B, . . . , and M, the chemical
formulas of the corresponding oxides, i.e. raw materials, be
A.sub.xO.sub.y, B.sub.qO.sub.p, . . . , and M.sub.rO.sub.s, and
their formula weights be Ma, Mb, . . . , Mm. The concentration of
each of the raw materials should be adjusted so that Ma/x=Mb/q=.
=Mm/r can hold. When the raw materials are prepared in this
fashion, the volume can be made approximately the same for all the
samples after mixing, while at the same time the total number of
moles of the elements can be made approximately the same in all the
samples. The above preparation greatly simplifies the distribution
process while providing highly accurate control, and also makes
synthesizing operations tractable.
[0043] The sample transfer process is explained as follows. In this
process, the samples obtained in the mixing vessels 12 are
extracted with the sample transfer pipette 18 and transferred to
the respective recessed portions 14 on the reaction tray 15. During
this process, in order to sufficiently dry the samples, each sample
is transferred over several times each in a small quantity, while
the reaction tray 15 is heated at a temperature of 80.degree. C. to
200.degree. C. by the heating section 22 to accelerate drying.
[0044] After all the samples, each in a necessary quantity, are
transferred to the respective recessed portions 14, a small
quantity of ethanol is dropped onto each sample. Thereafter, a
flattening means 40 such as a press-molding plate is moved onto the
reaction tray 15, and the samples in all the recessed portions 14
are collectively press-molded, whereby the upper surfaces of the
samples are molded flat and smooth.
[0045] In other words, the samples are arranged into the respective
recessed portions 14 in such a manner that rice is served in bowls.
Thereafter, the heaped samples are pressed with a press-molding
plate, for example, so that the sample surfaces are flattened.
Since the samples are hard to mold after being dried, a small
quantity of alcohol or the like is dropped onto each of the heaped
samples to provide pliability thereto, and then the samples are
pressed. Incidentally, it is desirable that all the samples in the
recessed portions 14 have approximately the same top level. Hence,
it is preferable that the degree of heaping is adjusted to be
approximately the same in all the recessed portions 14 during the
time of sample transfer, so that press molding can be collectively
carried out.
[0046] It should be mentioned that the aforesaid dropping of
ethanol and flattening are performed to obtain evenness and
smoothness of the surfaces of the samples necessary for the X-ray
diffraction measurement. Accordingly, the flattening operation may
be performed at any point before the X-ray diffraction apparatus
section 3. (As an example, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the case wherein the
flattening means 40 such as a press-molding plate is in the
measuring and mixing section 1.) Further, the samples may be made
pliable by other means than dropping of ethanol. When pliability is
not required, press molding may be carried out without dropping of
ethanol or the like. Furthermore, the surfaces of the samples may
be flattened by cutting off the heaped portions of the samples
instead of press molding.
[0047] The heat-treating process by the heating apparatus section 2
is explained as follows. After the sample transfer and the
flattening operation, the transport mechanism 4 grips the reaction
tray 15 by use of the hand denoted by 32 in FIG. 1, and then
transports the reaction tray 15 to the heating apparatus section
2.
[0048] The heating apparatus section 2 is a synthesizing furnace to
heat-treat a group of samples in a predetermined atmosphere at a
synthesizing temperature for a certain reaction time. Specifically,
as shown in FIG. 2(b), the reaction tray 15 is placed and heated in
a heating coil 33.
[0049] It should be noted that a plurality of reaction trays 15 may
be collectively heat-treated. For example, when the number of raw
materials, that is, the number of components is three, 66
combinations can be obtained when the mixing ratios of the
components are given in increments of 0.1 between zero and one.
Hence, it is desirable in terms of efficiency that they are
collectively heat-treated under the same condition of the reaction
temperature, atmosphere, and so on.
[0050] The heating of the reaction tray 15 is not limited to the
method in which a heating coil is used, but other methods, such as
high-frequency heating or heating with a ceramic element, may be
employed.
[0051] After the heat-treating process in the heating apparatus
section 2, the transport mechanism 4 grips the reaction tray 15
using the hand 32 and then moves it to the X-ray diffraction
apparatus section 3.
[0052] After the reaction tray 15 is moved to a predetermined
sample measurement position and fixed therein, the X-ray
diffraction apparatus section 3 sequentially adjusts the sample
positions on the reaction tray 15 so as to expose them to an
incident X-ray beam L as shown in FIG. 2(c). After the X-ray
diffraction measurement, the collected data are converted into such
a form that the data can be collated with a JCPDS file. (The JPCDS
is a well-known X-ray diffraction data file.) The data is outputted
with one-to-one correspondence to the samples on the reaction
tray.
[0053] The outputted data is sent to the collating and analyzing
apparatus section 6 via the central control section 5, where
analysis and collation thereof are performed.
[0054] Specifically, the collating and analyzing apparatus section
6 collates the X-ray diffraction data (X-ray intensity as a
function of diffraction angle) obtained for each of the samples
with the existing data file (JCPDS file), and extracts already
known phases and diffraction patterns of unknown phases. The
collating and analyzing apparatus section 6 performs this operation
for all the samples on the reaction tray 15, plots the analysis and
collation results in n-dimensional space with the number of raw
materials as n, and draws, registers, and prints reaction diagrams
as shown in FIG. 2(d).
[0055] The reaction diagram is explained as follows with reference
to FIG. 2(d). When A1, A2, A3, . . . An are elements, and oxides
thereof are represented by A1O, A2O.sub.2, A3.sub.2O.sub.3, . . .
AnO.sub.2, this diagram forms an n-dimensional coordinate system
with the molar fraction of each of (AM).sub.xO.sub.y(M:1 to n, x:1
or 2, y:1 or 2 or 3) on a coordinate axis. Thus, each point of the
n-dimensional coordinate corresponds to a certain mixing ratio
expressed by the molar fractions. The X-ray diffraction result for
each sample with its own mixing ratio is mapped at the
corresponding point of the n-dimensional coordinate, thereby
generating a reaction diagram. This procedure is repeated for
different heat-treating temperatures. As an example, FIG. 2(d)
shows a case with n=3, having three oxides of AO.sub.2,
B.sub.2O.sub.3, and C.sub.20 for the raw materials, and for the
temperatures of T=1100K, 1300K, and 1500K.
[0056] As described above, according to the present invention,
various products by a combinatorial method can be obtained with
easy control, and a synthesizing and analyzing apparatus capable of
efficiently analyzing and evaluating these products can be
provided.
[0057] Further, according to this embodiment, raw materials can be
measured by the suction or discharge volume by use of the pipettes
17; therefore, the composition and distribution can be easily
controlled. Also, the use of slurry-like raw materials makes mixing
of raw materials efficient.
[0058] Furthermore, as in the aforesaid embodiment, when the
molarity of an element is made equal for all the raw materials, the
samples made from raw materials even with different molar fractions
will result in having approximately the same total number of moles
of the elements per unit volume. Thus, measurement conditions can
be adjusted easily even for different samples in the analyzing
process.
[0059] The transfer of the samples to the reaction tray 15 is made
over several times each in a small quantity so that the samples can
be dried fast and have high quality after heat-treating.
[0060] It should be mentioned that the present invention is not
limited to the aforesaid embodiment, and various changes may be
made therein without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0061] For example, although the transport mechanism is provided
with the head moving linearly in the aforesaid embodiment, it may
be provided with a head moving in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions or
in the .theta.-, R-, and Z-directions (a cylindrical coordinate
system).
[0062] Further, any number of raw materials can be handled by this
invention.
[0063] Furthermore, although the raw materials in the form of a
slurry are used in the aforesaid embodiment, materials such as
metallic alcoxide, wherein good mixing can be obtained by
dissolving it in a solvent such as water or alcohol, may be used.
Also, metal or oxide fine particles with a particle diameter of
several ten nanometers to several hundred nanometers, wherein good
mixing can be obtained by adding an appropriate solution, may be
used.
[0064] In the aforesaid embodiment, the ceramic combinatorial
synthesizing apparatus is explained as an example. The present
invention is not limited to the aforesaid embodiment, and can be
widely applicable for various chemical reaction processing. For
example, the function of the aforesaid measuring and mixing section
can be applied to batch processing of optimization of acidizing
conditions for powdered substances, autoplastic reaction
processing, and so on.
* * * * *