US20070185657A1 - Graphic design of combinatorial material libraries - Google Patents

Abstract

Computer-implemented methods, programs and apparatus for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. A library design includes a set of sources representing components to be used in preparing the combinatorial library, destinations representing arrangements of cells and mappings, defining one or more distribution patterns for assigning components to cells in the destination arrangement or arrangements. Mappings include gradients and sets of user-defined equations, and are used to calculate the amount of one or more components to be assigned to a cell or cells in an arrangement. A library design can also include one or more process parameters defined to vary over time or across a plurality of destination cells. The invention outputs a data file defining the library design, including electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mapping, in a format suitable for implementing manually or using automated material handling apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/420,334, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,809, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/174,856, filed Oct. 19, 1998, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is the basis of a claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to the computer-implemented design of combinatorial libraries of materials. Traditionally, the discovery and development of materials has predominantly been a trial and error process carried out by scientists who generate data one experiment at a time. This process suffers from low success rates, long time lines, and high costs, particularly as the desired materials increase in complexity. When a material is composed of multiple components, theory provides little guidance, and the large variety of possible combinations of components takes a large amount of time to prepare and analyze.
• Combinatorial materials science addresses some of these challenges. Combinatorial materials science refers generally to methods for creating collections or libraries of chemically diverse compounds or materials and/or to methods for rapidly testing or screening these libraries for compounds or materials having desirable performance characteristics and properties. By parallel or rapid serial testing of many compounds or materials, combinatorial techniques accelerate the speed of research, facilitate breakthroughs, and expand the amount of information available to researchers. Furthermore, the ability to observe the relationships between hundreds or thousands of materials in a short period of time enables scientists to make well-informed decisions in the discovery process and to find unexpected trends.
• Researchers employing combinatorial techniques design libraries or arrays containing multiple combinations of starting chemicals. It is desirable to design such libraries to explore a desired phase space of starting components and realize good experimental results at a reasonable cost and period of time. Computer programs have been used for life science libraries, and some software applications have been applied to materials. Many of these programs allow for step-by-step input of a detailed protocol for synthesizing a library of materials, but do not allow for definition of chemical ratios or process parameters. To implement such protocols, the user must manually determine the proper concentration and quantity of each starting material to achieve a desired ratio of starting materials in each library member. For large libraries with shared starting solutions, this becomes unwieldy to solve manually without significantly limiting the diversity studied within one library. Other programs allow for definition of chemical ratios or process parameters to apply to a whole library, by do not provide for high level definition of multi-dimensional variation of these ratios or parameters across the spatial dimensions of the library, also limiting the diversity that may be studied within a single library. Some of these programs have been either spreadsheet based or graphic-based. Spreadsheet-like interfaces are, for many users, non-intuitive and difficult to learn. Graphic-based interfaces are somewhat more intuitive, but are limited to supplying direct machine instructions to move volumes of liquid on a specific robotic system. Such interfaces fail to provide the comprehensive conceptual library design assistance that materials discovery chemists would find greatly beneficial. Many existing programs are limited to specific chemistries, such as those used in the pharmaceutical industry, and can only interface with a specific type of synthesis instrument.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention provides computer implemented methods and apparatus for designing combinatorial libraries of materials. The invention provides a graphical user interface through which the user designs a library conceptually, with the ability to specify the desired material composition of multiple library members in terms of a variety of interrelationships between component materials, such as multiple interdependent gradients or ratios of component materials. The resulting conceptual library design is not constrained by the physical limitations of available library substrates or equipment. The invention's graphical interface allows the user to define variation of chemical ratios or process parameters across a library or across one or more distinct, partially intersecting or completely overlapping sub-regions of the library. The invention receives the user's conceptual design and performs the detailed calculations necessary to determine the precise composition of each member of the library. The invention outputs a data file in a format suitable for manual library preparation or automated preparation using conventional material handling apparatus. The output may include a list of mappings to be performed in preparing a library.
• In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The method includes defining one or more sources and one or more destinations, receiving an input defining a first mapping, using the first mapping to calculate a composition of one or materials assigned to one or more of cells of the destination, and generating a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The first mapping is electronic data defining a distribution pattern for assigning a component to cells in the arrangement. The distribution pattern includes a minimum and a maximum amount of the component to be assigned to any cell of the arrangement and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the component across the cells. The data file includes electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mapping.
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The method includes displaying a representation of the library design graphically describing the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The data file includes electronic data representing one or more sets of properties, each set of properties being associated with one of the sources, the destinations or the mapping. Defining the sources and destinations includes receiving an input from a graphical input device. The input defining a first mapping includes a selection from a set of available mapping types, including a one to one mapping of a component from a source to a cell in the arrangement and a one to many mapping of a component from a source to a plurality of cells in the arrangement. The set of available mapping types also includes a many to many mapping of a plurality of components from a plurality of sources to a plurality of cells in the arrangement, a many to one mapping of a plurality of components from a plurality of sources to a cell in the arrangement, or a set of one or more user-defined equations. The gradient is selected from the group consisting of linear, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial and geometric progression. The set of properties associated with the mapping includes a source name, a source geometry, a destination name, a destination geometry, a gradient type, and a set of gradient parameters defining the gradient. The method includes receiving an input defining a second mapping, and using the first and second mappings to calculate a composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The second mapping is electronic data defining a second distribution pattern for distributing a second component to cells in the arrangement. The second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a fixed amount of the second component to be assigned to one or more cells in the arrangement. The second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a minimum and a maximum amount of the second component to be assigned to any of the cells of the arrangement and a second gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the second component across the cells. The method includes generating a modified library design by receiving an input redefining a source, a destination or a mapping, recalculating the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells; and generating a data file defining the modified library design. The method includes receiving an input defining one or more parameters, and the data file includes electronic data representing the one or more parameters. Each parameter is electronic data corresponding to a process parameter and defines a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement. The parameter values vary between a minimum and a maximum amount. The arrangement comprises two or more cells, ten or more cells, or about ninety-six or more cells.
• In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The method includes defining a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, receiving an input defining a set of first mappings, using the set of equations to calculate a composition of a material assigned to one or more cells in the destination, and generating a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The set of first mappings is electronic data defining a set of equations for calculating an amount of one or more components to be assigned to one or more cells in the destination arrangement. The data file includes electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mappings.
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The method includes displaying a representation of the library design. The representation graphically describes the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The component to be assigned to a cell in the arrangement is determined by the location of the cell within the arrangement. The composition of a material is determined using a subset of the set of equations, the subset of equations being determined by the location of the cell within the arrangement. The method includes generating an error indicator signal if the number of equations in the set of equations is not equal to the number of sources in the set of sources. At least one of the set of equations is selected from a ratio equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of an amount of another component to be assigned to the cell; a volume equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of a total volume of a plurality of components to be assigned to the cell; and a mass equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of a total mass of a plurality of components to be assigned to the cell. The set of equations includes a gradient equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to each of a plurality of cells according to a gradient. Each of the set of equations is assigned to one or more cells of the arrangement according to the location of the cells within the arrangement. The method includes simultaneously solving a set of interdependent equations. The method includes using a matrix inversion technique to solve the set of equations. The method includes receiving an input defining a second mapping and using the first set of mappings and the second mapping to calculate a composition of a material assigned to one or more of the cells. The second mapping is electronic data defining a distribution pattern for distributing a component to cells in the arrangement. The distribution pattern includes a minimum and a maximum amount of the component to be assigned to any cell of the cells of the arrangement and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the component across the plurality of cells.
• In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The method includes defining a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, defining a plurality of mappings, receiving an input defining one or more parameters, and generating a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The mappings in the aggregate define a composition for each of a plurality of materials assigned to a plurality of cells in the arrangement. Each parameter is electronic data corresponding to a process parameter and defining a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement. The parameter value varies between a minimum and a maximum amount. The data file includes electronic data describing the source elements, the destination elements, the mappings and the parameters
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The parameter value is defined to vary over time, across two or more cells in the arrangement, or over time and across two or more cells in the arrangement. The parameter value varies according to a gradient selected from the group consisting of linear, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial and geometric progression. The parameter value corresponds to a process parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, time, flow rate and stirring speed.
• In general, in another embodiment, the invention features a computer-implemented method for preparing a combinatorial library of materials on a substrate. The method includes creating a library design by defining a set of design elements, generating a data file comprising electronic data describing the set of design elements, and using the data file to cause an automated material handling apparatus to assemble the combinatorial library on a substrate. The set of design elements includes one or more sources representing components to be used in preparing the combinatorial library, one or more destinations, each of which includes an arrangement of one or more cells, and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a mapping defining a scheme for assigning one or more amounts of a component to one or more cells of an arrangement and a parameter corresponding to a process parameter. The parameter defines a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement. The parameter value varies between a minimum and a maximum amount.
• In general, in another embodiment, the invention features a computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to receive an input defining one or more sources and one or more destinations, receive an input defining a first mapping, use the first mapping to calculate a composition of one or materials assigned to one or more cells in the destination, and generate a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The first mapping is electronic data defining a distribution pattern for assigning a component to cells in the arrangement. The distribution pattern includes a minimum and a maximum amount of the component to be assigned to any cell of the arrangement and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the component across the plurality of cells. The data file includes electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mapping.
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to display a representation of the library design graphically describing the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The data file includes electronic data representing one or more sets of properties, each set of properties being associated with one of the sources, the destinations or the mapping. The input defining the sources and destinations includes an input from a graphical input device.
• The input defining a first mapping includes a selection from a set of available mapping types. The set of available mapping types includes a one to one mapping of a component from a source to a cell in the arrangement and a one to many mapping of a component from a source to a plurality of cells in the arrangement, a many to many mapping of a plurality of components from a plurality of sources to a plurality of cells in the arrangement, a many to one mapping of a plurality of components from a plurality of sources to a cell in the arrangement, or a set of one or more user-defined equations. The gradient is selected from the group consisting of linear, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial and geometric progression. The set of properties associated with the mapping comprises a source name, a source geometry, a destination name, a destination geometry, a gradient type, and a set of gradient parameters defining the gradient. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to receive an input defining a second mapping and use the first and second mappings to calculate a composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The second mapping is electronic data defining a second distribution pattern for distributing a second component to cells in the arrangement. The second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a fixed amount of the second component to be assigned to one or more cells in the arrangement. The second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a minimum and a maximum amount of the second component to be assigned to any of the cells of the arrangement and a second gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the second component across the cells. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to generate a modified library design by receiving an input redefining a source, a destination or a mapping; recalculating the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells; and generating a data file defining the modified library design. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to receive an input defining one or more parameters and the data file includes comprises electronic data representing the one or more parameters. Each parameter is electronic data corresponding to a process parameter and defining a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement. The parameter value varies between a minimum and a maximum amount. The arrangement comprises two or more cells, ten or more cells, or about ninety-six or more cells.
• In general, in another embodiment, the invention features a computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to receive an input defining a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, receive an input defining a set of first mappings, use the set of equations to calculate a composition of a material assigned to one or more of cells of the destination, and generate a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The set of first mappings is electronic data defining a set of equations for calculating an amount of one or more components to be assigned to one or more cells in an arrangement. The data file includes electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mappings.
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The computer program includes instructions operable to display a representation of the library design graphically describing the composition of one or more materials assigned to one or more of the cells. The component to be assigned to a cell in the arrangement is determined by the location of the cell within the arrangement. The composition of a material is determined using a subset of equations determined by the location of the cell within the arrangement. The computer program includes instructions operable to generate an error indicator signal if the number of equations in the set of equations is not equal to the number of sources in the set of sources. At least one of the set of equations is selected from a ratio equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of an amount of another component to be assigned to the cell, a volume equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of a total volume of a plurality of components to be assigned to the cell, and a mass equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to a cell as a function of a total mass of a plurality of components to be assigned to the cell. The set of equations includes a gradient equation defining an amount of a component to be assigned to each of a plurality of cells according to a gradient. The set of equations is assigned to one or more cells of the arrangement according to the location of the cells within the arrangement. The instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to use the set of equations to calculate a composition of a material assigned to one or more of the cells include instructions simultaneously to solve a set of interdependent equations. The instructions simultaneously to solve the set of interdependent equations include instructions to use a matrix inversion technique to solve the set of equations. The computer program includes instructions operable to receive an input defining a second mapping and use the first set of mappings and the second mapping to calculate a composition of a material assigned to one or more of the cells. The second mapping is electronic data defining a distribution pattern for distributing a component to cells in the arrangement. The distribution pattern includes a minimum and a maximum amount of the component to be assigned to any cell of the cells of the arrangement and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the component across the plurality of cells.
• In general, in another embodiment, the invention features a computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to receive an input defining a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, receive an input defining a plurality of mappings, receive an input defining one or more parameters, and generate a data file defining the library design. Each source is electronic data representing a component to be used in preparing the combinatorial library. Each destination is electronic data representing an arrangement of cells. The mappings in the aggregate define a composition for each of a plurality of materials assigned to a plurality of cells in the arrangement. Each parameter is electronic data corresponding to a process parameter and defining a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement. The parameter value varies between a minimum and a maximum amount. The data file includes electronic data describing the source elements, the destination elements, the mappings and the parameters.
• Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The parameter value is defined to vary over time, across two or more cells in the arrangement, or over time and across two or more cells in the arrangement. The parameter value varies according to a gradient selected from the group consisting of linear, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial and geometric progression. The parameter value corresponds to a process parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, time, flow rate and stirring speed.
• In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. The computer program includes instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to create a library design by defining a set of design elements, generate a data file including electronic data describing the design and use the data file to cause an automated material handling apparatus to assemble the combinatorial library on a substrate. The set of design elements includes one or more sources representing components to be used in preparing the combinatorial library, one or more destinations, and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a mapping defining a scheme for assigning one or more amounts of a component to one or more cells of an arrangement and a parameter corresponding to a process parameter. Each destination includes an arrangement of one or more cells. The parameter defines a parameter value for one or more cells of the arrangement, the parameter value varying between a minimum and a maximum amount.
• Advantages that can be seen in implementations of the invention include one or more of the following. The invention allows users to design combinatorial libraries conceptually, while automatically performing a large number of detailed calculations required for the exact assignment of materials at each library member in a process that is preferably invisible to the user, although it may be shown if desired. The user can visualize a conceptual library design and identify potential errors before undertaking actual library synthesis. Separation of library design from library synthesis allows the user to lay out a library design conceptually, without regard for the physical limitations of a particular destination substrate or synthesis apparatus. The library design can flexibly define variation of chemical composition across library members by specifying multiple, interdependent material gradients or ratios defining the composition of each library member. The library design can also include variation of process parameters over time or across library members, which enables the user combinatorially to explore the effect of changing process conditions on material composition. The output of the design process is a recipe file that allows the automated synthesis of a library corresponding to the conceptual design. Maintaining databases of chemical information, library designs and composition data speeds up library design, avoids the repetition of old experiments, and assists in the overall planning and execution of experiments necessary to explore the preparation and properties of diverse materials.
• The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
• accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for computer-implemented design of a combinatorial library of materials.
• FIG. 2 is a flow diagram generally illustrating a method of designing a combinatorial library of materials.
• FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of designing a combinatorial library of materials.
• FIG. 4 is a ternary phase diagram describing the design of a conceptual triangular library of cells containing a mixture of three components in varying degrees.
• FIG. 5A is a user interface window for use by a user designing a combinatorial library of materials.
• FIG. 5B is an example of a window pane of the system user interface for defining one or more stock materials.
• FIG. 5C is an example of a dialog of the system user interface for defining a destination object.
• FIG. 6A is an illustrative library design window of the system user interface including a pane for graphically defining a library by mapping.
• FIG. 6B is an example of a dialog for defining a gradient mapping object.
• FIG. 6C is an example of a mapping dialog displaying a sequence of defined mappings defining a library.
• FIG. 7A is an illustrative library design window including a pane for defining a library using equations.
• FIGS. 7B and 7C are illustrative dialogs for defining an equation object.
• FIG. 8A is an illustrative library design window depicting an equation design.
• FIG. 8B is an example of a dialog displaying the calculation of composition for a cell in an equation design.
• FIG. 8C is an illustrative library design window depicting the composition of a combinatorial library.
• FIG. 8D is an example of a dialog depicting the composition of a library member.
• FIG. 9A is an example of a dialog for defining a process parameter object.
• FIG. 9B is an example of a pane displaying the properties of parameter objects.
• FIG. 10 is an example of a library design window depicting a virtual ternary library design mapped to a rectangular plate.
• Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, asystem100 includes acomputer110 equipped with input/output devices120. A typical user ofsystem100 is a chemist. Throughuser interface160, the user initializessystem100 and generates a library design for a combinatorial library of materials using design module130 (step200). As used in this specification, a combinatorial library is a collection of two or more members that contain some variance in chemical composition, chemical amount, reaction conditions, and/or processing conditions, where a member is a single position in a library containing one set of chemicals subject to one set of reaction or processing conditions.
• Based on the library design, design module130 creates a set of material handling instructions, which may take the form of a data file or “recipe file” (step210), which may be provided to synthesis module140 (step220).Synthesis module140 implements the instructions, by causingmaterial handling apparatus180 to synthesize a combinatorial library specified by the design, for example (step230). Implementation of material handling instructions from recipe files to synthesize libraries of materials is described in more detail in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/305,830, filed on May 5, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, design module130 stores the set of material handling instructions in a file or relational database inmemory150 for later modification by design module130 or implementation bysynthesis module140.
• Using design module130, the user designs a library by defining a set of design elements corresponding to a design workspace, one or more mappings or distribution schemes for assigning materials to individual library members, and, optionally, one or more process parameters to be applied to one or more library members.FIG. 3 shows a method of usingsystem100 to design a combinatorial library of materials in more detail. Throughuser interface160, the user defines a workspace by defining one or more sources (step300) and one or more destinations (step310). As used in this specification, a source is a chemical or mixture of chemicals that will be used as a component in creating a library, while a destination is a conceptual arrangement of cells representing a combinatorial library. In one embodiment, a destination may represent a physical substrate in or on which a library is created. In other embodiments, however, a destination is not constrained to represent an actual physical substrate, but can correspond to a conceptual library environment. Thus, as shown inFIG. 4 for example, a user may design a ternary library of three components A, B and C on a triangular destination in which each apex oftriangle400 corresponds to a composition of 100 percent of the corresponding component, while design module130 translates the triangular conceptual design to a conventional rectangular grid corresponding to locations on a wafer or wells in a microtiter plate, as will be described in more detail below. The user defines each source and destination by entering identifying information, which may cause design module130 to create a corresponding source or destination data object having associated properties defined by the user input, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, the user defines a source or destination by retrieving a pre-defined source or destination frommemory150.
• The definition of sources and destinations is described in more detail with reference to FIGS.5A-C. The user defines the necessary sources (meaning components to be used in designing and synthesizing a library, which may include materials located at one or more destination regions as will be described below) and destinations usingdesign window500, which includesoutline pane510,definition pane530 andgraphical pane540.Outline pane510 depicts a hierarchical view of the library design and its contents. At the top level,outline pane510 displays a list oflibrary design folders511, each containing a library design. The next level lists sub-folders corresponding to the contents of each design, including, for example,sources folder512,destinations folder513,chemicals folder514,equations folder515 andparameters folder516. At the third level,outline pane510 displays icons depicting the individual design elements, including, for example,sources517,destinations518,chemicals519, equations and parameters. When the user selects an icon corresponding to a desired element,user interface160 displays information relevant to that element—for example, selection of asource517 may result in display of a dialog identifying the names of the source's constituent chemicals, or other relevant properties. The hierarchical view inoutline pane510 also includes an icon520 representing a recipe file corresponding to the library design.
• The user defines a set of sources (such as stock solutions containing one or more chemicals dissolved in a solvent) to be used in creating the library, by, for example, selecting “Stock Materials” tab525 (or a corresponding button ontoolbar560, a menu item inmenus570 or the like), which causesdefinition pane530 to display a stock materials layer. Appropriate source materials (i.e., components for use in library design) can include chemical elements, chemical compounds or chemical compositions, which may themselves include one or more elements or compounds. Source materials can be in a gaseous, liquid or solid phase.
• For each source material, the user assigns a source name infield531, and may enter information defining the source properties, including attributes of each constituent chemical such as type (or subtype), name (selected, for example, from a list of defined chemicals), molecular weight, equivalents, structure, density and concentration into corresponding fields532-539. Values corresponding to source properties may be entered in any convenient units and are converted to common units for subsequent calculations by design module130. To facilitate graphic display, each source may be assigned a distinct color. As sources are defined, they are depicted assource icons517 insources folder512 inoutline pane510. Each source is also represented by an icon orshape541 ingraphical pane540, which may be manipulated by the user—for example, by using a mouse or other input device to move or drag the icon to any desired location ingraphical pane540 or to resize the icon as desired.
• To define a chemical (a single material component within a synthetic design, for example a reagent that is synthesized or purchased for use in a source), the user makes an appropriate selection, such as by selecting “Chemicals”tab545 inlayered definition pane530, causing that pane to toggle to achemical definition layer550, as shown inFIG. 5B. Alternatively, the user selectsNew Chemical button561 ontoolbar560, an appropriate entry from drop-downmenus570, or other selection device. The user enters the chemical's name intoChemical Name field552 and enters information defining the chemical's properties, such as molecular weight, equivalents, structure and density, into correspondingfields553,554,555 and556. Optionally, the user also assigns a chemical “Type”—a user-selected label describing a class of chemicals that may be used as a design parameter in creating the library—by entering a name intoType field551. Each defined chemical type may include one or more subtypes. Alternatively, the user may retrieve the relevant data for a pre-defined chemical or chemicals from a database inmemory150 and transfer the data directly into the corresponding fields of the chemical definition layer.
• To facilitate implementation of a library design, in one embodiment design module130 outputs a stock solution preparation worksheet that can be used for the manual or automated preparation of actual stock solutions to be used to synthesize the library. After the stock solutions are prepared, the user may enter actual values for mass, volume and concentrations of stock solution components, enabling design module130 to recalculate its usage of stock materials based on the actual composition of available stock solutions.
• The user defines one or more destinations by selecting an appropriate button or menu item, such asNew Destination button563 ontoolbar560, and entering a destination name and geometry information. Each destination includes one or more regions, each of which may be represented as a cell or group of cells in an arrangement (e.g., an array) of one or more cells. A destination can include an arrangement of two or more cells, preferably four, ten, twenty, or even ninety-six or more cells. The cells or regions of a destination may, but need not, correspond to members of the combinatorial library and/or locations on a physical substrate (such as a microtiter plate, wafer or the like) on which the library will be created. However, while the destination may correspond to the geometry of the ultimate physical substrate, it may also represent the library on a more conceptual level, and may correspond to an abstract intermediate in the ultimate library design as will be described in more detail below. A destination can encompass one or more library designs; conversely, a library design can encompass any number of regions or cells of a destination, from a single cell to the total number of cells associated with the destination. In the described embodiment, destinations are depicted as square or rectangular arrays. However, destinations and the libraries they represent may be designed in any convenient shape, such as square, rectangle, circle, triangle or the like. Selection of a desired arrangement is a choice that can be manipulated by this invention. Strategies for designing combinatorial libraries are described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/156,827, filed Sep. 18, 1998, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,359, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Thus, the user defines a destination by, for example, entering a number of rows and columns defining a bounding matrix of the destination into fields581 and582 ofDestination Property dialog580 shown inFIG. 5C. Each defined destination is represented asdestination icons517 indestinations folder513 and as an appropriately-sizedempty arrangement542 of the appropriate shape ingraphical pane550, which may be manipulated by the user, such as by dragging to desired locations ingraphical pane550 or by resizing, as described for sources above.
• Referring again toFIG. 3, the user designs the combinatorial library by assigning components (including chemicals) from sources to destination regions to define the composition of each library member (step320). In one embodiment, described in detail with reference toFIGS. 6A-6C, the user directly defines one or more mappings that represent the assignment of one or more components to one or more destination cells. After defining the necessary sources and destination, represented as circles601-603 andarrangement607, respectively, ingraphical pane600, the user designs the library by usingtoolbar610 to define a sequence of one or more mappings, each of which embodies a scheme or pattern for assigning an amount of a component or components from a source or sources to a destination region (i.e., a cell or group of cells), or from a destination region to one or more other cells of the same or a different destination. As described below, mappings can be defined from a single source to a single destination region, from one source to multiple destination regions or from multiple sources (or destination regions) to multiple destination regions. The user may define a mapping by specifying that one or more components are to be assigned to one or more destination regions in uniform amounts or in varying amounts defined by a mathematical gradient or by a set of one or more governing equations applied to one or more destination regions, or by some combination of these methods.
• To define a mapping, the user selects a mapping mode by, for example, selecting the appropriate button intoolbar610. In one embodiment, to define a “one-to-one” mapping assigning a single component to a single destination cell the user selects one-to-one mapping button615. The user then selects a desired source, for example by highlighting an icon or shape ingraphical pane600 such as circle601. Next, the user selects a destination cell, for example by selecting a cell620 indestination arrangement607. The user is then prompted to enter an amount of the selected component to be assigned to the selected destination cell. Alternatively, the user may specify the amount of the component to be assigned to the destination cell by defining an equation as will be described below.
• The user may define a mapping from multiple sources (including multiple regions in one destination) to multiple regions in another destination (or, if desired to another set of regions in the same destination) by, for example, selecting “many-to-many”mapping button614. The user selects a group of cells in the starting destination, for example by dragging a cursor over the desired cells indestination arrangement607, and a group of cells in the target destination (which may or may not be the same as the starting destination). The group of target cells may include any number of cells in the destination, and may include one or more rows or columns of cells, or parts of one or more rows or columns. Design module130 prompts the user to input an amount of a component or components to be assigned from the selected starting cells to the selected target cells throughuser interface160.
• Optionally, the user may define a one-to-one or many-to-many mapping by reference to an appropriate text file, such as, for example, a tab-delimited spreadsheet file generated by Microsoft® Excel, by selecting anappropriate button616 or617. Design module130 prompts the user to identify a source or sources and destination region or regions, and prompts the user to select a file containing the desired mapping information. Design module130 assigns the selected component or components to the cells of the selected destination according to the contents of the selected file. Thus, for example, the selected file may contain a tab-delimited array of constant values used to assign components to the corresponding cells of a selected destination array. Alternatively, design module130 may calculate the amount of one or more components to be assigned to each cell in a selected destination based on equations, such as exponential, logarithmic, polynomial or geometric expressions or the like, contained in the selected file.
• The user defines a mapping from a source to multiple destination cells by, for example, selecting a “one-to-many”mapping button613. Design module130 prompts the user to select a desired source and a group of cells in a desired destination, as described above. Design module130 then prompts the user to specify a distribution scheme to be applied over the selected destination cells, for example defining a linear distribution gradient by entering starting and ending amounts, a direction and a distribution pattern (such as rectangular, triangular or other desired shape).
• FIG. 6B shows one implementation of a dialog for defining a mapping distribution in more detail.Dialog630 includes a pane635 of radio buttons providing the user with a choice of various gradient shapes, such as rectangular or triangular. Inpane640, the user selects a gradient orientation—the direction or directions in the destination array along which the amount of the component increases. The user inputs the minimum and maximum values for the gradient infields645 and650, and enters a number of rows or columns in the destination specifying the step size of the gradient infield655. Design module130 calculates an amount for each selected cell in the destination, beginning with the minimum amount in the first cell and increasing to the maximum amount according to the specified gradient.
• In other embodiments,user interface160 and design module130 can be configured to define mappings based on other distribution schemes. For example, while the embodiment shown inFIG. 6B illustrates a dialog for defining a linear gradient,user interface160 and design module130 can be configured to define gradients according to one or more other well known mathematical forms, such as exponential, logarithmic, polynomial or geometric functions. Likewise, design module130 can be configured to define “many-to-one” mappings for assigning amounts of material from multiple sources to a single destination region, using constant amounts of material from each source or varying amounts defined by gradients as described above. In still another embodiment, design module130 can be configured to permit mapping from one source or sources to one or more others sources (or from a destination region or regions) to one or more sources.
• While the embodiment shown inFIG. 6B provides for the definition of the gradient without reference to specific units of measure,user interface160 and design module130 can be configured to permit the user to input values in any convenient measure, such as, for example, units of molarity, weight, volume or thickness. In such embodiments, design module130 automatically converts the selected units into appropriate units for calculation of mapping amounts, relieving the user of responsibility for making the necessary conversions. Thus, the user may define the sources for a library design using units that are most convenient for preparing stock solutions of components and design the library in another set of units more appropriate for that purpose, while design module130 outputs a recipe file in still another set of units appropriate for synthesis of the library.
• The user may view the properties of each defined mapping object (e.g., sources, destinations, amounts, shape, and the like) and the overall mapping sequence through an appropriate mapping dialog, such asdialog660 inFIG. 6C, accessed, for example, by selecting an appropriate menu item, toolbar button or other graphical device inuser interface160. The results of applying each defined mapping to a selected destination are displayed ingraphical pane600, which graphically depicts the composition of each destination region in the current library design. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6A, composition data fordestination arrangement607 is displayed in layered chart form, with each cell in the destination being divided into colored or patterned layers or bars the size of which represents the relative amount of each component assigned to that cell. By selecting or unselecting the check box associated with each source (or chemical, depending on the selected view option) inoutline pane670 inFIG. 6A, the user may view the relative proportion of some or all components assigned to a given cell. Thus, for example, if the user deselects sourceA check box675, design module130 removes the layer corresponding to that source from each cell inarray607, allowing the user to view the relative proportions of the remaining components without regard to the amount of that source assigned to each destination region. Optionally, the user can view composition data in the form of an set of pie charts, described in more detail in connection withFIG. 8C, below, with each individual pie chart being divided into colored wedges depicting the relative amount of a corresponding component assigned to that destination region. The user can also access numerical compositional data in spreadsheet form by selecting an appropriate menu item, toolbar button or similar graphical device inuser interface160.
• User interface160 and design module130 are also configured to enable the user to define a distribution scheme using systems of one or more equations defining the amount of a component or components, or the ratio between two or more such components, to be assigned to one or more destination regions. The user can employ such a “design by equations” mapping scheme to define mappings for the entire combinatorial library, or to define one or more mappings of a multi-mapping library design in combination with the gradient mapping implementation discussed above.
• As shown inFIG. 7A, the user defines an equation by selecting an appropriate menu item or toolbar button, such as equation design button ontoolbar610, causinguser interface160 to displayequation design arrangement705 and associatedequation design toolbar710 inpane700. The user initiates equation design by selecting Equation Design button711, andpartitions array705 into regions, such asregions706,707,708 and709, for example by selecting the desired regions with a mouse or other input device. Selection of row partition orcolumn partition buttons715 and716 causes design module130 to insert a row or column header, such as column header720, and creates a group of destination cells—for example, the group of cells inregion706—that will be governed by any equations assigned to the corresponding header. By repeating the partitioning operation with various sizes of destination regions, the user can create multiple row and column headers capable of applying multiple equations to the cells ofdestination arrangement705 as will be described below.
• The user may assign a component (i.e., a source or sources, including a chemical or chemicals) to a header by selecting the appropriate icon (e.g., icon731) from the current library design folder inoutline pane730, and dragging the selected source and dropping it into the desired header720 indestination arrangement705. This action causes design module130 to assign the component represented by source icon731 to all cells assigned to header720 for use in equations governing those cells as described below. Optionally, the user may assign components (sources or chemicals) to one or more individual cells or groups of cells by dragging the selected component and dropping it into the desired cell or cells. The user may also assign multiple components to a destination by first defining an appropriate array of sources—for example an array of different chemicals of the same type—and dragging the source array onto the desired destination.
• The user defines an equation by, for example, selecting a desired header and causing design module130 to prompt the user to enter the relevant equation properties, for example through an equation property dialog740 as shown inFIG. 7B. In dialog740, the user defines a ratio equation describing a relationship between, for example, two or more components or chemical types as a sum of weighted terms. Infields742, the user identifies the desired terms, which may include user-defined types or subtypes (e.g. catalysts, co-catalysts, solvents, initiators, monomers, surfactants, ligands, metals and the like), sources, chemicals or synthesis parameters such as total mass, total volume and the like. In one embodiment, terms infields742 may be selected from a list of available types, sources, chemicals and synthesis parameters by activating an arrow button744 associated with afield742 that invokes a pull-down menu identifying the available choices that have been defined as discussed above. The user enters coefficients defining the weighting of the selected term in coefficient fields746. Additional types or subtypes, sources, chemicals or synthesis parameters can be incorporated in an equation by selectingbox748, which appends an additional line750 to the equation, with additional term andcoefficient fields752 and754. The user also selects an appropriate unit inunit field755. Selection of OK button756 causes design module130 to assign the specified equation to the selected header. An icon representing the newly defined equation object is added toEquations folder736 inoutline pane730.
• Referring toFIG. 7C, more complex relationships can be defined by using coefficient functions, accessed in this embodiment by selectingcoefficient box760. This feature permits the user to use equations to define gradients to be applied across the cells in a region governed by a particular equation. As described above, the user selects appropriate terms (types, sources, chemicals, synthesis parameters) interm fields762, and enters minimum and maximum coefficient values in fields763 and764, entering a step value for the gradient instep width field765. The user then selects a desired function defining the change in coefficient values, such as linear, exponential or logarithmic functions, infunction field767, and selects a gradient direction, such as horizontal, vertical or diagonal, in direction field768. A starting point for application of the gradient is selected usingradio buttons769. Selection ofOK button770 causes design module130 to assign the defined function to the selected header, and to add an icon representing the equation object to the Equations folder inoutline pane730.
• The user may assign equations to individual destination cells or groups of cells. A pre-defined equation can be assigned to a cell or group of cells, for example by selecting the equation icon fromEquations folder736 inoutline pane730 and dragging the equation to a desired cell or group of cells, or dragging the equation to a header governing a desired group of cells. The user may view a list of all equations defined for a particular cell, group of cells, or for the entire destination, for example in an equation list dialog window, and may copy equations from one cell or group of cells and assign those equations to another cell or group of cells, or to a header governing another group of cells.
• FIG. 8A depicts apane800 illustrating adestination810 for which a number of governing equations have been defined as described above. The user accesses this equation view ofdestination800 by, for example, selecting an appropriate menu item or toolbar button, or by selectingarrangement705 inFIG. 7A orarray607 inFIG. 6A with a mouse or other input device.Destination810 includes rows and columns ofcells815 that correspond to the cells ofarrangements607 and/or705. In this example, eachcell815 is depicted as including an equation designated as E7, E8, E9 or E10. The equations themselves are displayed as items inEquations folder806 inoutline pane805.
• Thus, for example,cells801 to which equation E8 is assigned are subject to the equation
  [Mole Equiv.] CoCatalyst=1.0*Catalyst,
  where CoCatalyst and Catalyst are chemical Types defined in the Chemicals layer of the corresponding definition pane. Eachcell801 is also governed by equations appearing in headers located above the column and to the left of the row in which that cell appears. The cell identified byreference numeral802, for example, is subject to the following equations:
  [Mole Equiv.] CoCatalyst=0.1*Catalyst
  [uL] TotalVolume=200
  [mg] Substrate=0.12*Total Mass
  [Mole Equiv.] Catalyst=0.0001*Substrate
  while the cell identified byreference numeral803 is subject to the following equations:
  [Mole Equiv.] CoCatalyst=0.1*Catalyst
  [uL] TotalVolume=200
  [mg] Substrate=0.12*Total Mass
  [Mole Equiv.] Catalyst=0.01*Substrate
  As discussed above, the location of a givencell801 also determines which specific components (chemicals or sources) are to be used to supply the Types specified by the relevant equations. Thus, forcell802 discussed above, design module130 will use Sources SolvA, SubB, CatD and CoCatE for Types Solvent, Substrate, Catalyst and CoCatalyst, respectively, in solving the set of equations that determine the composition of the corresponding region. That is, design module130 will solve the following set of equations to calculate the composition of cell802:
  [Mole Equiv.] CoCatE=0.1*CatD
  [uL] TotalVolume=200
  [mg] SubB=0.12*Total Mass
  [Mole Equiv.] CatD=0.0001*SubB
• The use of subtypes provides the user additional flexibility in designing a library using equations. For example, a user may design a library for copolymerizing pairs of monomers, with the monomers being added at different times during the polymerization reaction. By defining two chemical subtypes—for example, “first monomer” and “second monomer”—under single chemical type “monomer”, the user may define the total amount of combined monomer using one equation (e.g., [(mg) monomer=0.2 Total Mass]), while defining the ration of the first monomer to the second monomer using a second equation (e.g., [(mg) first monomer=0.3 second monomer]).
• In one embodiment, the user may cause design module130 to verify that the set of defined equations is solvable at any time during the library design process, for example by selectingCheck Mode button812. In response to this selection, design module130 performs a number of checks to determine whether the user has provided sufficient information to enable design module130 to solve the set of equations. Thus, for example, design module130 determines whether the user has provided all source information, such as chemical molecular weight, concentration, density and the like, that will be required by the set of equations. If design module130 determines that all necessary source information has not been defined, design module130 prompts the user to enter the necessary information throughuser interface160. Design module130 also determines whether the number of defined equations matches the number of defined sources (and whether chemicals or sources of all appropriate Types have been assigned to each cell) and verifies that no equations are duplicated. For any cells that fail this equation check, design module130 informs the user of an equation error throughuser interface160, for example by displaying an appropriate error message or displaying the destination array with failed cells identified by an appropriate color or pattern, such as by displaying cells for which sufficient information has been defined in green and all other cells in red. Optionally, design module130 also informs the user of the reason or reasons why the equations defined for a given cell cannot be solved.
• Upon receiving user input indicating that equation design is complete (for example, by selection of Solve Equations button813), design module130 uses conventional matrix algebra techniques to solve the equations defined for a given destination to calculate the composition of the corresponding destination cells, substituting the appropriate Chemicals and Sources for Types included in the set of equations defined for each cell. Thus, for example, design module130 uses techniques such as LU decomposition to solve a set of defined ratio equations, providing results in the form X=X₁+X₂, where X₁is a sub-vector of chemical masses and X₂is a sub-vector of volumes of stock materials. Design module130 may be configured to accept and solve other types of equations, such as mass equations defined as:$\left[-I\right]{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; label="X"\; filenames="US20070185657A1-20070809-D00004.png,US20070185657A1-20070809-D00005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">X</figure-callout>}}_1+\left[D\right]X_2=0$$\mathrm{or},\left[\begin{array}{cc}-I& D\end{array}\right]\left[\begin{array}{c}{X}_1\\ X_2\end{array}\right]=0,$
  where X₁is a sub-vector of chemical masses and X₂is a sub-vector of volumes of stock materials, I is the identity matrix and D is the density matrix.
• The calculations with which design module130 solves the set of equations for each cell may be internal to the computer and invisible to the user; optionally, design module130 displays the calculations in a window throughuser interface160. As described above in connection withCheck Mode button812, when solving equations design module130 optionally identifies each cell for which the assigned equations have a valid solution with an appropriate color, pattern or other visual display scheme, while identifying cells for which the assigned equations are not solvable with another appropriate display scheme (such as, for example, displaying cells with a valid solution in green and other cells in red). Design module130 is configured to allow the user to “diagnose” the reason for the failure to solve a cell's equations by, for example, displaying in response to appropriate user input anEquation Matrix dialog830, as shown inFIG. 8B. For a selected cell, herecell802 inarray810,dialog830 displays a status for the cell (e.g., “Equation solving failed”), as well as aspreadsheet835 with regions corresponding to values derived from the equations assigned to the selected cell (840), values calculated from stock material concentrations defined in the definition pane (845) and equation solutions for chemical mass and stock solution volume (850). In the example depicted inFIG. 8B,solutions region850 reveals that the calculated volume for SolvA is negative, rendering the equations assigned tocell802 not solvable.
• As shown inFIG. 8C, the user may view a graphic display of the calculated composition data resulting for an equation design by selecting an appropriate menu item of toolbar button, such asDisplay Data button856 ofgraphical pane855. The user may elect to view composition data by chemical mole or mass ratio, for example by selectingchemical button860 and mole ormass buttons862 or863, respectively; alternatively, composition data may be displayed by source volume ratio by selectingsource button865 andcorresponding volume button866. Selection ofpie chart button868 causes design module130 to display the composition data as anarrangement870 ofcells872. Eachcell872 contains apie chart875 representing the calculated composition of the corresponding destination region determined by solution of the set of equations assigned to that cell. The relative proportion of each component assigned to the destination region (in units determined by the selected viewing option—volume for stock material solutions, mass or molarity for chemicals) is represented in eachchart875 by the size of a corresponding pie wedge depicted in a color or pattern associated with a given component (e.g., by colors assigned to each source component inSources folder877 inoutline pane880. By selecting or unselecting the check box associated with each source (or chemical, depending on the selected view option) inoutline pane880, the user may view the relative proportion of some or all components assigned to a given cell. Thus, for example, if the user deselects SolvA check box882, design module130 removes the pie wedge corresponding to that source from eachpie chart875 inarrangement870, allowing the user to view the relative proportions of the remaining components without regard to the amount of solvent (SolvA) assigned to each destination region. The user may also view the calculated composition data in layered chart form as described above in connection withFIG. 6A, above. Numerical composition data for each destination region may be displayed through a cellcomposition data dialog885, as shown inFIG. 8D.
• Referring again toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, design module130 is configured to enable the user to incorporate varying process parameters into a library design through parameters specifying a scheme of varying values across one or more destinations. Parameters can include any external conditions, such as temperature, pressure, mixing speed, quench time, flow rate and the like. The user defines a parameter by, for example, selecting an appropriate menu item or toolbar button (step330). Design module130 prompts the user to enter the necessary information by displaying an appropriate dialog, such asParameter Property dialog900 shown inFIG. 9A. The user assigns a parameter name inname field905 and selects a parameter type and appropriate units infields910 and915. The user identifies one or more destinations infield920 to which design module130 will apply the defined parameter. Infield925, the user selects a scheme for varying the parameter values, which may include schemes such as temporal variation, spatial variation and the like, as well as combinations of such variation schemes. Design module130 is configured to vary parameter values spatially, across one or more rows or columns, specified by the user infields930 and935, respectively. Similarly, the user defines a temporal variation by specifying a time function (such as a linear function or a step function), a number of time steps and an appropriate time unit (such as seconds, minutes or hours) infields950,940 and945, respectively. The user may enter comments describing the parameter in comment field955. Upon completion, signified, for example, by the user's selection ofOK button960, design module130 stores the parameter inmemory180, adds a corresponding parameter icon toparameter folder515 inoutline pane510, and allocates space in the parameter layer ofdefinition pane530, as will be described next.
• As shown inFIG. 9B, a parameter layer965 is accessed by selectingparameter tab970 indefinition pane968. Parameter layer965 includes an entry for each defined parameter, such asTemperature parameter975 andPressure parameter980. Each defined parameter is identified by an expandable entry identifying the parameter type (975,980), which, upon expansion, displays the parameter properties input throughParameter Property dialog900, as discussed above, such as aname976, a step identifier977, a start time978 for each step, and a description or value for the parameter at that step979. As appropriate, parameter layer965 includes a spreadsheet-type display985 depicting a parameter value for each cell in the destination to which the parameter is assigned infield920 ofParameter Property dialog900, as described above. Design module130 is configured to allow the user to enter parameter values manually into parameter layer965; alternatively, design module130 populates parameter values according to a variation scheme defined inParameter Property dialog900, such as applying a constant or gradient function to a selected group of destination cells. The user can modify parameter values throughParameter Property dialog900, or directly through parameter layer965.
• When library design is complete, the user may optionally store design files, including some or all of the design information—ie. the sources, destinations and parameters, as well as the mapping scheme and other related information—inmemory180. In one embodiment, design module130 outputs a text file (or a tab-delimited spreadsheet file in a format suitable for a program such as Microsoft® Excel), describing the relative or absolute amounts of components to be deposited at each library member to allow a chemist to manually prepare the designed library. Alternatively, design module130 can be configured to output an image file, such as Microsoft® PowerPoint file, depicting the graphical layer chart or pie chart display of composition data for a selected destination.
• Design module130 is also configured to generate a recipe file containing a set of synthesis instructions in a generic format that can be retrieved bysynthesis module140 for automated processing by material handling apparatus180 (step340 inFIG. 3).Appropriate apparatus180 can include, for example, automated liquid handling robots, such as theRSP 900 Robotic Sample Processor, available from Cavro Scientific Instruments, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.Apparatus180 can also include automated systems performing different types of physical or chemical vapor deposition. In liquid handling, mixtures of solutions are typically dispensed in an array of miniature wells to create a library. In vacuum deposition, solid elements or chemicals or mixtures of solid elements or chemicals are vaporized and deposited as individual components on a substrate. The deposition may be controlled by a series of shutters and masks to manufacture the library. For an example of deposition equipment, see WO98/47613 (U.S. application Ser. No. 08/841,423), filed on Apr. 22, 1997.
• In one embodiment, an appropriate data file or recipe file includes an entry for each source, each destination, each parameter, and each mapping created as described above, such as shown in Table 1 for the component labeled “CatA” in the equation design illustrated inFIG. 8A.

  TABLE 1
  [COMPONENT_1]
  compLabel = CatA
  libRegBegin = NULL
  libRegEnd = NULL
  arrayGeom = RECT
  numRows = 1
  numColumns = 1
  [MAPPING_1]
  Source = CatA
  SourceRect = (1, 1),(1, 1)
  Destination = Plate
  DestRect = (2, 2),(7, 11)
  GradientType = LIN
  GradientParams = 10.000000 0.0 0.0 −2.000000 0.000000 0.0 0.0 1 0
  Tag =

  
  Design module130 graphically represents the recipe file for the current design as an icon520 inoutline pane510 shown inFIG. 5A.
• As described above, design module130 creates a library design unconstrained by the physical limitations of available synthesis apparatus and library substrates. Thus, while the user may design a library using a destination arrangement containing the number of library members (i.e. individual reactors) in the same geometry (e.g., the number of rows and columns) as the physical substrate on which the library will ultimately be prepared, design module130 enables the user to design libraries without regard to these constraints. Thus, the user may design a conceptual “virtual” library containing vast numbers of individual members (thus spanning multiple physical libraries), yet connected by a central chemical concept. Similarly, the user may also design a library in a preferred design environment (e.g., a geometry that best defines a library concept such as the ternary design shown inFIG. 4), while the design can be implemented in a different physical geometry for convenience of library synthesis. One such virtual library design is shown inFIG. 10. The user designs a library of varying compositions of sources A and B in ternary form on “Virtual Plate”destination1000, with the amount of source A assigned to each cell determined by a linear gradient defined inequation1010. Design module130 then maps the 91 occupied cells ofdestination1000 onto rectangular “Physical Plate”1020 for implementation by conventional synthesis apparatus.
• The user can also define a library design for use as a template in the design and preparation of multiple related libraries. Thus, for example, a library design of 96 different catalyst formulations may be used as a template to explore the polymerization of various organic monomers. Alternatively, a design can be defined for a portion of a single destination and used as a template to define multiple designs covering the entire destination—for example, the user may create a template design for a library of polymerization catalysts that covers only a single quadrant of an 8×12 destination and use the template to define a set of four library designs in which four different monomers are polymerized in the presence of the catalyst library. In this embodiment, the user designs the library as described above, with one source defined to correspond to one desired monomer, and stores the design inmemory150. The user may then retrieve the design and use design module130 to create a series of library, one for each desired monomer, by simply replacing the defined monomer in the template design, recalculating the composition of each destination cell and generating the corresponding recipe file. More generally, the user may create a template design using a set of n design elements, where, for example, n defines the number sources used in the design, and instruct design module130 andsynthesis module140 to generate a series of m libraries, where m>n and m is a number of actual sources used in preparing the libraries. Thus, while the library design may specify a combination of a limited number of design elements—for example, a quaternary library of inorganic materials in which each cell contains a mixture of four materials—the library design can be implemented for a larger number of elements, by creating a set of libraries encompassing all possible combinations/iterations of sources from the set of available sources—for example, by creating all possible combinations of four materials from a set of six available materials. Similar template designs can be created for designs involving any design elements—for example, multiple equation coefficients, multiple parameter values, or any combination of elements.
• In one embodiment, design module130 is configured to interact with adatabase150 associated withsystem100 that is capable of archiving information pertaining to available chemicals, stock materials, composition data for existing library designs and the like. In this embodiment, the user may search the database for chemicals based on relevant identifying information, such as chemical name, formula, identification number (e.g., CAS number) or the like. The user may select any chemicals identified in such a search, and design module130 downloads chemical attribute information into the Chemicals layer in the current library design (e.g.,definition pane530 inFIG. 5A). To facilitate archiving and tracking of existing library designs, the user may register one or more libraries on a designed destination in adatabase150 associated withsystem100. Design module130 assigns each library so registered an identification number with which each library may later be retrieved fromdatabase150. Similarly, the user may load composition data for one or more libraries on a destination todatabase150 for later retrieval.
• The design methods and programs of the present invention can be advantageously applied in connection with the design and synthesis of libraries or arrays of diverse materials. Preferably, such diverse materials are candidate materials (e.g., catalysts) being evaluated for a desired chemical property, for example a capability to enhance a chemical process (e.g., chemical reaction) of interest.
• A library of such materials can be a physical array of candidate materials, comprising a substrate and two or more different candidate materials, and preferably four or more different candidate materials at separate portions of the substrate, corresponding to library members. Each candidate material can consist essentially of two components (or source materials—e.g., a combination of sources A and B). Alternatively, additional components can be incorporated in the library design, resulting in libraries of diverse materials having compositions that are essentially ternary, quaternary or higher order. Such higher-order compositions can be designed to include the same components (e.g., A, B and C) in each composition, but in varying amounts or ratios, or alternatively, to include different components (e.g., A, B and C; A, B and D; A, B and E; A, B and F, etc.) in two or more of the compositions. In one preferred library, the is a spatially addressable array of materials that comprises a substrate having a surface and nine or more materials having different compositions at nine or more discrete regions of the substrate surface, with each material-containing region consisting essentially of one material. The nine or more materials preferably comprising two or more common components of interest, A and B, with the amount of at least one of the common components, A, preferably varying incrementally and uniformly between the nine or more materials, such that the nine or more materials form a uniform compositional gradient with respect to component A. The gradient can be linear, exponential, etc., as described above. The amount of one or more additional components (e.g., component B) can also vary. Non-gradient applications are also considered, as explained above in connection with the various mappings. In a particularly preferred library, the array comprises eleven or more materials at eleven or more discrete regions of the substrate, and at least one of the materials comprises component A and an essential absence of component B.
• Appropriate candidate materials can include elements, compounds or compositions comprising a plurality of elements and/or compounds, and can be in a gaseous, liquid or solid phase. Solid-phase materials are preferred for some applications. The particular elements, compounds or compositions to be included in a library of candidate materials will depend upon the particulars of the chemical phenomenon or process being investigated. However, the nature of the particular chemical phenomenon or process being investigated is not critical, such processes can include, for example, chemical reactions and chemical separations, among others.
• For example, candidate materials can include compositions that catalyze reactions including activation of, breaking and/or formation of H—Si, H—H, H—N, H—O, H—P, H—S, C—H, C—C, C═C, C≡C, C-halogen, C—N, C—O, C—S, C—P, C—B and C—Si bonds among others. Exemplary chemical reactions for which reaction-enhancing materials may be identified according to the present invention include, without limitation, oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation (including transfer hydrogenation), hydration, dehydration, hydrosilylation, hydrocyanation, hydroformylation (including reductive hydroformylation), carbonylation, hydrocarbonylation, amidocarbonylation, hydrocarboxylation, hydroesterification, hydroamination, hetero-cross-coupling reaction, isomerization (including carbon-carbon double bond isomerization), dimerization, trimerization, polymerization, co-oligomerization (e.g. CO/alkene, CO/alkyne), co-polymerization (e.g. CO/alkene, CO/alkyne), insertion reaction, aziridation, metathesis (including olefin metathesis), carbon-hydrogen activation, cross coupling, Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, Diels-Alder reactions, C—C coupling, Heck reactions, arylations, Fries rearrangement, vinylation, acetoxylation, aldol-type condensations, aminations, reductive aminations, epoxidations, hydrodechlorinations, hydrodesulfurations and Fischer-Tropsch reactions, asymmetric versions of any of the aforementioned reactions, and combinations of any of the aforementioned reactions in a complex reaction sequence of consecutive reactions. For chemical reactions, candidate materials can be generally classified as those materials which are chemically altered or consumed during the course of the reaction (e.g., co-reactant materials, cataloreactants) and those materials which are not chemically altered or consumed during the course of the reaction (e.g., catalysts, selective blocking moieties). In preferred applications, candidate materials are catalysts, which term, as used herein, is intended to include a material that enhances the reaction rate of a chemical reaction of interest or that allows a chemical reaction of interest to proceed where such reaction would not substantially proceed in the absence of the catalyst.
• Appropriate candidate materials preferably include elements or compounds selected from the group consisting of inorganic materials, metal-ligand complexes and non-biological organic materials. In some applications, candidate materials will consist essentially of inorganic materials, consist essentially of metal-ligand materials, or consist essentially of non-biological organic materials. Moreover, in some applications, source and/or candidate materials will be compositions comprising mixtures of inorganic materials, metal-ligand materials, and/or non-biological organic materials in the various possible combinations.
• Inorganic materials include elements (including carbon in its atomic or molecular forms), compounds that do not include covalent carbon-carbon bonds (but which could include carbon covalently bonded to other elements, e.g., CO₂), and compositions including elements and/or such compounds. Inorganic candidate materials that could be investigated in libraries designed according to the approaches described herein include, for example: noble metals such as Au, Ag, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os and Ir; transition metals such as Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ta, W and Re; rare-earth metals such as La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Th, Th and U; alloys of noble metals, transition metals and/or rare-earth metals; metal oxides such as CuO, NiO and CO₃O₄; noble-metal-doped metal oxides such as noble-metal-doped CuO, NiO and CO₃O₄; multi-metal oxides such as binary oxides of Cu—Cr, Cu—Mn, Cr—Mn, Ni—Cr, Ni—Mn, Ni—Cu, Ni—Mo, Cu—Mo, Ni—Co, Co—Mo, Ni—Fe, Fe—Mo, Cu—Fe, Mn—Ag, Mn—Sn, Ag—Sn, Cu—Ag, Cu—V, Ag—V, Cu—V, Ni—V, Bi—Mo, Bi—V, Mo—V, V—Zr, V—Ti, Zr—Ti, V—Nb, Nb—Mo, V—P, P—Mo, Ni—P, P—Cu, Co—P, Co—Fe, P—Fe, Mg—V, Mg—Sn, V—Sn, K—Ti, K—Bi, Ti—Bi, Cr—Sb, Cr—V, Sb—V, Bi—Mo, Bi—Nb, K—Cr, K—Al, Al—Cr, Zn—Cu, Zn—Al, Cu—Al, La—Cr, La—Zr, Cr—Zr, La—Mo, Mo—Zr, La—W, W—Zr, Mo—W, W—V, Cu—W, Bi—W, Fe—Sb, Fe—V and Ni—Ta, Ni—Nb and Ta—Nb, and such as ternary oxides of Cu—Cr—Mn, Ni—Cr—Mn, Ni—Cu—Mo, Ni—Co—Mo, Ni—Fe—Mo, Cu—Fe—Mo, Mn—Ag—Sn, Cu—Ag—V, Cu—Ni—V, Bi—Mo—V, V—Zr—Ti, V—Nb—Mo, V—P—Mo, Ni—P—Cu, Co—P—Fe, Mg—V—Sn, K—Ti—Bi, Cr—Sb—V, Bi—Mo—Nb, K—Cr—Al, Zn—Cu—Al, La—Cr—Zr, La—Mo—Zr, La—W—Zr, Mo—W—V, Cu—Mo—W, Bi—Mo—W, Bi—V—W, Fe—Sb—V and Ni—Ta—Nb; metal carbides such as PdC; metal sulfates, metal sulfides, metal chlorides, metal acetates, polyoxometallates (POM); metal phosphates such as vanadylpyrophosphates (VPO); Bronstead acids such as HF; Lewis Acids such as AlCl₃; and mixtures of any of the aforementioned inorganic materials, among others. Exemplary inorganic material libraries could include, for example, triangular-shaped arrays of ternary metal oxides (e.g. such as oxides of the ternary metal partners described above) with single metal oxide compounds at each corners, binary metal oxide compositions along each of the sides with varying ratios of constituents, and ternary metal oxide compositions in the interior regions of the triangular array with varying ratios of constituents. Libraries of inorganic candidate materials can be prepared, for example, according to the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,359 to Schultz et al. Metal-ligand complexes comprise a central metal atom or ion surrounded by, associated with and/or bonded to other atoms, ions, molecules or compounds—collectively referred to as “ligands”—typically through a carbon (to form, e.g., an organometallic), nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur or oxygen atom and/or one or more linker moieties. The one or more ligands typically bind to one or more metal center and/or remain associated therewith, and by such association, modify the shape, electronic and/or chemical properties of the active metal center(s) of the metal-ligand complex. The ligands can be organic (e.g., η¹-aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclopentadienyl, CO, alkylidene, carbene) or inorganic (e.g., Br⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻, NO²⁻, etc.), and can be charged or neutral. The ligand can be an ancilliary ligand, which remains associated with the metal center(s) as an integral constituent of the catalyst or compound, or can be a leaving group ligand, which may be replaced with an ancillary ligand or an activator component. Exemplary metals/metal ions include ions derived from, for example, simple salts (e.g., AlCl₃, NiCl₂, etc.), complex or mixed salts comprising both organic and inorganic ligands (e.g., [({acute over (η)}5-C₅Me₅)IrCl₂]₂, etc.) and metal complexes (e.g., Gd(NTA)₂, CuEDTA, etc.), and can generally include, for example, main group metal ions, transition metal ions, lanthanide ions, etc.
• Libraries of metal-ligand candidate materials designed according to the methods and programs described herein can be prepared, for example, according to the methods disclosed in PCT Patent Application WO 98/03521 of Weinberg et al. Briefly, a desired ligand can be combined with a metal atom, ion, compound or other metal precursor compound. In many applications, the ligands will be combined with such a metal compound or precursor and the product of such combination is not determined, if a product forms. For example, the ligand may be added to a reaction vessel at the same time as the metal or metal precursor compound along with the reactants. The metal precursor compounds may be characterized by the general formula M(L)_n(also referred to as ML_nor M-L_n) where M is a metal and can include metals selected from the group consisting ofGroups 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements. In some embodiments, M can be selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Fe, Pt, Ru, Rh, Co and Ir. L is a ligand and can be selected from the group consisting of halide, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, boryl, silyl, hydrido, thio, seleno, phosphino, amino, and combinations thereof, among others. When L is a charged ligand, L can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, silyl, boryl, phosphino, amino, thio, seleno, and combinations thereof. When L is a neutral ligand, L can be selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, isocyanide, nitrous oxide, PA₃, NA₃, OA₂, SA₂, SeA₂, and combinations thereof, wherein each A is independently selected from a group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, silyl, and amino. Specific examples of suitable metal precursor compounds include Pd(dba)₂(dba=dibenzylydieneacteone), Pd₂(dba)₃, Pd(OAc)₂(Ac=acetate), PdCl₂, Pd(TFA)₂, (TFA=trifluoroacetate), (CH₃CN)₂PdCl₂, and the like. In this context, the ligand to metal precursor compound ratio is in the range of about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, more preferably in the range of about 0.5:1 to about 20:1. The metal atom, ion or metal precursor may be supported or not. Supports may be organic or inorganic. Similar to the ligands, the support may be an L. In other embodiments, the support will not form part of the metal precursor and suitable supports include silicas, aluminas, zeolites, polyethyleneglycols, polystyrenes, polyesters, polyamides, peptides and the like. Specific examples of Pd supported metals include Pd/C, Pd/SiO₂, Pd/CaCO₃, Pd/BaCO₃, Pd/aluminate, Pd/aluminum oxide, Pd/polystyrene, although any of the metals listed above could replace Pd in this list, e.g., Ni/C, etc. In other applications, the ligand will be mixed with a suitable metal precursor compound prior to or simultaneous with allowing the mixture to be contacted to the reactants. When the ligand is mixed with the metal precursor compound, a metal-ligand complex may be formed, which may be employed as a candidate material.
• Non-biological organic materials include organic materials other than biological materials. Organic materials are considered to include compounds having covalent carbon-carbon bonds. Biological materials are considered to include nucleic acid polymers (e.g., DNA, RNA) amino acid polymers (e.g., enzymes) and small organic compounds (e.g., steroids, hormones) where the small organic compounds have biological activity, especially biological activity for humans or commercially significant animals such as pets and livestock, and where the small organic compounds are used primarily for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. While biological materials are of immense commercial interest with respect to pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications, a large number of commercially significant applications involve chemical processes that are enhanced by other than biological materials. Moreover, while fundamental screening approaches for many pharmaceutical and biological activities are known or readily adapted from known approaches, screening approaches for non-biological materials have not heretofore been widely investigated and reported. Although candidate materials being screened are preferably not, themselves, biological organic materials, candidate materials included in libraries designed according to the invention (e.g., inorganic materials) can be employed to enhance reactions directed to producing a biological organic material as the product of a chemical reaction (e.g., materials that enhance chemical-based, non-enyzmatic DNA synthesis, or materials that enhance a synthetic, non-enyzmatic route to a particular hormone or steroid).
• The amount of an individual candidate material located in a particular library member varies depending upon the required application and the method by which the library is prepared. For thin films, for example, the amount of material will depend on the surface area of the film and the required thickness of the film, each of which will, in turn, vary depending upon the chemical process of interest. For catalyst applications, the geometry of the reactor, and the required residence time or contact time of reactants in the reactor, among other factors, will also be important. In general, the amount of an individual candidate material is typically not more than about 25 mg, preferably not more than about 10 mg, and can be not more than about 7 mg, not more than about 5 mg, not more than about 3 mg and not more than about 1 mg. In preferred embodiments, the amount of an individual candidate material can range from about 0.1 μg to about 100 mg, preferably from about 1 μg to about 10 mg, more preferably from about 10 μg to about 1.0 mg and most preferably from about 100 μg to about 1 mg.
• Libraries designed according to the methods discussed above can be prepared on any convenient substrate, including any suitable material having a rigid or semi-rigid surface on which the candidate materials can be formed or deposited or to which the candidate materials can be linked. The substrate preferably consists essentially of materials that are inert with respect to the materials and chemical processes of interest. Certain materials will, therefore, be less desirably employed as a substrate material for certain reaction process conditions (e.g., high temperatures—especially temperatures greater than about 100° C.—or high pressures) and/or for certain reaction mechanisms. The substrate material is also preferably selected for suitability in connection with microfabrication techniques, such as selective etching (e.g., chemical etching in a liquid or gaseous phase, plasma-assisted etching, and other etching techniques) photolithography, and other techniques known or later-developed in the art. Silicon, including polycrystalline silicon, single-crystal silicon, sputtered silicon, and silica (SiO₂) in any of its forms (quartz, glass, etc.) are preferred substrate materials. Other known materials (e.g., silicon nitride, silicon carbide, metal oxides (e.g., alumina), mixed metal oxides, metal halides (e.g., magnesium chloride), minerals, zeolites, and ceramics) may also be suitable for a substrate material. Organic and inorganic polymers may also be suitably employed in some applications of the invention.
• Appropriate substrates may, but need not necessarily, have at least one substantially flat, substantially planar surface, and may preferably, but not necessarily, be a substantially planar substrate such as a wafer. The surface of the substrate can be divided into physically separate regions and can have, for example, dimples, wells, raised regions, etched trenches, or the like formed in the surface. In still other embodiments, small beads or pellets may be the substrate, and such beads or pellets may be included in an array, for example, for example, placing the beads within dimples, wells or within or upon other regions of the substrate's surface. Frits can be used to hold such beads or pellets in place. In other applications, the substrate can be a porous material. The substrate can, and is preferably, passive—having an essential absence of any active microcomponents such as valves, pumps, active heating elements, active mixing elements. The substrate also preferably has an essential absence of passive microcomponents such as microfluidic channels or apertures used for fluid distribution, heat-transfer elements, mass-transfer elements (e.g., membranes), etc., or combinations thereof. In some applications, however, the substrate can include such active microcomponents or such passive microcomponents. In a preferred application, the substrate has a substantially flat upper surface with a plurality of substantially coplanar indentations or wells of sufficient depth to allow a quantity of candidate material to be deposited, formed or contained therein. The overall size and/or shape of the substrate is not limiting to the invention. The size can be chosen, however, to be compatible with commercial availability, existing fabrication techniques (e.g., silicon wafer availability and/or fabrication), and/or analytical measurement techniques. Generally, the substrate will be sized to be portable by humans and/or to be manipulated by automated substrate-handling devices. Hence, two inch and three inch wafers are suitably employed. The choice of an appropriate substrate material and/or form for certain applications will be apparent to those of skill in the art based on the guidance provided herein.
• In libraries prepared from library designs generated according to the methods discussed above, the candidate materials are generally deposited in a plurality of library members arranged on a substrate. The desired configuration of the candidate material with respect to the substrate depends upon the application. Thus, for example, for a library of candidate catalyst materials, the library can be configured in any design that allows for one or more reactants to contact the candidate material during the chemical reaction or other chemical process. Hence, it can be appreciated that the exact configuration of the candidate materials and the substrate are not limiting to the invention. Typical configurations generally allow for fluid flow past and around a candidate material formed on a surface of a reaction cavity, for unidirectional flow of reactants through a porous substrate or through a bed of beads, or for flow of reactants into and out of a well comprising a porous or non-porous substrate.
• The candidate materials are preferably spatially separated in the library of candidate materials, preferably at an exposed surface of the substrate, such that the array of materials can, for example, be integrated with a plurality of microreactors to include different candidate materials within different microreactors for screening individual candidate materials for chemical properties of interest. Moreover, individual library members are also preferably separately addressable, for example, for analytical characterization thereof. The two or more different candidate materials are therefore preferably located at discrete, non-contiguous, individually addressable regions of the substrate, with the regions being spaced to accommodate inclusion into a plurality of microreactors. The different candidate materials may, nonetheless, also be contiguous with each other (e.g. as in a continuous gradient of different material compositions). However, even where a spatially separated, individually addressable array of candidate materials is desired in the ultimate physical library, the library design need not have these features, which may be incorporated by appropriate synthesis apparatus or by software controlling such apparatus.
• If the two or more candidate materials are to be deposited on distinct, individually addressable regions of the substrate, the separation between adjacent regions can range from about to about 50 μm to about 1 cm, more preferably from about 100 μm to about 7 mm, and most preferably from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The inter-region spacings can be not more than about 1 cm, not more than about 7 mm, not more than about 5 mm, not more than about 4 mm, not more than about 2 mm, not more 1 mm, not more than about 100 μm, and not more than about 50 μm. Exemplary inter-regions spacings (center-to-center) based on preferred embodiments of the invention are 4 mm for having 256 addressable regions on a three-inch wafer substrate, and 2 mm for having 1024 addressable regions on a three-inch wafer substrate. As such, the surface density of discrete candidate material regions can range from about 1 region/cm²to about 200 regions/cm², more preferably from about 5 regions/cm²to about 100 regions/cm², and most preferably from about 10 regions/cm²to about 50 regions/cm². The planar density can be at least 1 region/cm², at least 5 regions/cm², at least 10 regions/cm², at least 25 regions/cm², at 50 regions/cm², at least 100 regions/cm², and at least 200 regions/cm². For some reactions, lower or mid-range densities may be preferred. For other reactions, higher densities may be suitable. Additionally, even higher densities may be achieved as fabrication technology develops to nano-scale applications.
• The number of candidate materials to be included on a physical library is not narrowly critical, and can range, for example, from two to about a million or more, ultimately depending on available fabrication techniques and the nature of the chemical phenomenon or process being investigated. More specifically, the number of different candidate materials incorporated in a library is at least 2, preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 10, still more preferably at least 25, even more preferably at least 50, yet more preferably at least 100, and most preferably at least 250. Present microscale and nanoscale fabrication techniques can be used, however, to prepare arrays having an even greater number of different candidate materials. For higher throughput operations, for example, the number of different candidate materials can be at least about 1000, more preferably at least about 10,000, even more preferably at least about 100,000, and most preferably at least about 1,000,000 or more. The fabrication of arrays comprising very large numbers of different candidate materials is enabled by fabrication techniques known in the integrated circuit arts. See, for example, S. M. Sze,Semiconductor Sensors, Chap. 2, pp. 17-96, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1994). Such approaches have been adapted in other aspects of catalyst research. See, for example, Johansson et al.,Nanofabrication of Model Catalysts and Simulations of their Reaction Kinetics, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., 17:1 (January/February 1999).
• The invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the invention can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The invention can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in assembly or machine language if desired, or in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, in which case individual design elements can be embodied as data objects in classes having sets of associated properties; in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).
• To provide for interaction with a user, the invention can be implemented on a computer system having a display device such as a monitor or LCD screen for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer system. The computer system can be programmed to provide a graphical user interface through which computer programs interact with users.
• The invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the steps of the invention can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Claims (32)

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a library design for a library of materials, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface including a workspace for designing a library of materials;

defining one or more sources and one or more destinations, each source being electronic data representing a chemical or mixture of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials and each destination being electronic data representing an arrangement of cells;

displaying a visual representation of one or more of the one or more defined destinations in the workspace of the graphical user interface, each destination representation including a representation of one or more cells in the corresponding arrangement;

receiving first user input defining a first mapping, the first mapping being electronic data defining a gradient distribution pattern for assigning a first chemical or mixture of chemicals represented by one of the one or more defined sources to a plurality of cells in the one or more defined destinations, the input specifying a minimum and a maximum amount of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to any of the plurality of cells and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals across the plurality of cells;

receiving second user input defining a second mapping, the second mapping being electronic data defining a second distribution pattern describing an amount or amounts of a second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be distributed to one or more selected cells in the one or more arrangements, the one or more selected cells including one or more of the plurality of cells;

using the first mapping and the second mapping to determine amounts of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals and the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be deposited in each of the one or more selected cells included in the plurality of cells; and

modifying the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations to include a visual indication of the determined amounts of the first and second chemicals or mixtures of chemicals.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

generating a set of synthesis instructions for use by one or more synthesis instruments to create the library of materials based on the defined sources, destinations, and mappings.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first input defining a first mapping comprises a selection from a set of available mapping types, the set of available mapping types comprising a one to one mapping of a chemical or mixture of chemicals from a source to a cell in the one or more arrangements and a one to many mapping of a chemical or mixture of chemicals from a source to a plurality of cells in the one or more arrangements.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the set of available mapping types further comprises a many to many mapping of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals from a plurality of sources to a plurality of cells in the one or more arrangements.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the set of available mapping types further comprises a many to one mapping of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals from a plurality of sources to a cell in the one or more arrangements.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a fixed amount of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be distributed to one or more cells in the one or more arrangements.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second input specifies a second gradient distribution pattern according to a minimum and a maximum amount of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to a second plurality of cells of the one or more arrangements and a second gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals across the second plurality of cells.

8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input modifying one or more of the first and second mappings; and

modifying the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations according to the one or more modified mappings.

9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

receiving third user input defining one or more parameters, each parameter being electronic data corresponding to a process parameter to be applied to one or more cells in the one or more the arrangements and defining a parameter value for the one or more cells in the one or more arrangements, the third user input defining a scheme for varying the parameter values for at least one of the parameters across two or more cells in the one or more arrangements; and

modifying the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations to include a visual indication of the parameter values.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein:

the parameter value for one or more of the parameters is defined to vary over time for one or more cells in the one or more arrangements.

11. A computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a library of materials, the computer program product comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:

provide a graphical user interface including a workspace for designing a library of materials;

receive an input defining one or more sources and one or more destinations, each source being electronic data representing a chemical or mixture of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials and each destination being electronic data representing an arrangement of cells;

display a visual representation of one or more of the one or more defined destinations in the workspace of the graphical user interface, each destination representation including a representation of one or more cells in the corresponding arrangement;

receive first user input defining a first mapping, the first mapping being electronic data defining a gradient distribution pattern for assigning a first chemical or mixture of chemicals represented by one of the defined sources to a plurality of cells in the one or more defined destinations, the input specifying a minimum and a maximum amount of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to any of the plurality of cells and a gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals across the plurality of cells;

receive second user input defining a second mapping, the second mapping being electronic data defining a second distribution pattern describing an amount or amounts of a second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be distributed to one or more selected cells in the one or more arrangements, the one or more selected cells including one or more of the plurality of cells;

use the first mapping to determine amounts of the first chemical or mixture of chemicals to be deposited in each of the plurality of cells and the second mapping to determine the amount or amounts of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be deposited in each of the one or more selected cells, wherein the amounts of the first and second chemicals or mixture of chemicals to be deposited in each of the one or more selected cells that are included in the plurality of cells are determined according to both the first mapping and the second mapping; and

modify the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations to include a visual indication of the determined amounts of the first and second chemicals or mixtures of chemicals.

12. The computer program product ofclaim 11, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:

generate a set of synthesis instructions for use by one or more synthesis instruments to create the library of materials based on the defined sources, destinations, and mappings.

13. The computer program product ofclaim 11, wherein the first input defining a first mapping comprises a selection from a set of available mapping types, the set of available mapping types comprising a one to one mapping of a chemical or mixture of chemicals from a source to a cell in the one or more arrangements and a one to many mapping of a chemical or mixture of chemicals from a source to a plurality of cells in the one or more arrangements.

14. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the set of available mapping types further comprises a many to many mapping of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals from a plurality of sources to a plurality of cells in the one or more arrangements.

15. The computer program product ofclaim 14, wherein the set of available mapping types further comprises a many to one mapping of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals from a plurality of sources to a cell in the one or more arrangements.

16. The computer program product ofclaim 11, wherein the second distribution pattern includes electronic data identifying a fixed amount of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be distributed to one or more cells in the one or more arrangements.

17. The computer program product ofclaim 11, wherein the second input specifies a second gradient distribution pattern according to a minimum and a maximum amount of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to a second plurality of cells of the one or more arrangements and a second gradient to be applied between the minimum and maximum amounts of the second chemical or mixture of chemicals across the second plurality of cells.

18. The computer program product ofclaim 11, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:

receive an input modifying one or more of the first and second mappings; and

modify the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations according to the one or more modified mappings.

19. The computer program product ofclaim 11, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:

receive third user input defining one or more parameters, each parameter being electronic data corresponding to a process parameter to be applied to one or more cells in the one or more the arrangements and defining a parameter value for the one or more cells in the one or more arrangements, the third user input defining a scheme for varying the parameter values for at least one of the parameters across two or more cells in the one or more arrangements; and

modify the visual representation of the one or more defined destinations to include a visual indication of the parameter values.

20. The computer program product ofclaim 19, wherein:

the parameter value for one or more of the parameters is defined to vary over time for one or more cells in the one or more arrangements.

21. A computer-implemented method for generating a library design for a library of materials, comprising:

defining a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, each source being electronic data representing a chemical or mixture of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials and each destination being electronic data representing an arrangement of cells;

receiving an input defining a mapping scheme for assigning the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals represented by the one or more sources to cells in the one or more destinations, the input specifying a set of equations for calculating amounts of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the cells in the one or more destinations;

using the set of equations to calculate a composition of a plurality of materials to be prepared in the cells in the one or more destinations; and

displaying a visual representation of the one or more defined destinations, the visual representation including a visual indication of the calculated compositions.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein at least one of the set of equations is selected from the group consisting of:

a ratio equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of an amount of another chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells;

a volume equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of a total volume of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells; and

a mass equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of a total mass of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells.

23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein using the set of equations comprises solving the set of equations using matrix algebra techniques.

24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein:

the input defining the mapping scheme comprises input associating the sources and equations with cells or groups of cells in the defined destinations; and

using the equations comprises calculating the composition of a material to be prepared in a given cell based on the equations and sources associated with the given cell.

25. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising:

in response to the input defining the mapping scheme, displaying a visual indication of the equations associated with the cells or groups of cells in the defined destinations.

26. The method ofclaim 21, wherein:

defining the one or more sources comprises associating one or more of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals with a type representing a class of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials;

receiving user input specifying a mapping scheme comprises receiving input specifying one or more of the set of equations as a function of the type; and

using the equations comprises solving the equations specified as a function of the type for a given destination cell or group of cells by substituting the corresponding chemical or chemicals associated with the type.

27. A computer program product on a computer-readable medium for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials, the computer program product comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:

define a set of one or more sources and one or more destinations, each source being electronic data representing a chemical or mixture of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials and each destination being electronic data representing an arrangement of cells;

receive an input defining a mapping scheme for assigning the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals represented by the one or more sources to cells in the one or more destinations, the input specifying a set of equations for calculating amounts of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the cells in the one or more destinations;

use the set of equations to calculate a composition of a plurality of materials to be prepared in the cells in the one or more destinations; and

display a visual representation of the one or more defined destinations, the visual representation including a visual indication of the calculated compositions.

28. The computer program product ofclaim 27, wherein at least one of the plurality of equations is selected from the group consisting of:

a ratio equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of an amount of another chemical or mixture of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells;

a volume equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of a total volume of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells; and

a mass equation defining an amount of one of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to one or more of the cells as a function of a total mass of a plurality of chemicals or mixtures of chemicals to be assigned to the one or more of the cells.

29. The computer program product ofclaim 27, wherein the instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to use the set of equations comprise instructions to solve the set of equations using matrix algebra techniques.

30. The computer program product ofclaim 27, wherein:

the input defining the mapping scheme comprises input associating the sources and equations with cells or groups of cells in the defined destinations; and

the instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to use the equations comprise instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to calculate the composition of a material to be prepared in a given cell based on the equations and sources associated with the given cell.

31. The computer program product ofclaim 27, further comprising instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to:

in response to the input defining the mapping scheme, display a visual indication of the equations associated with the cells or groups of cells in the defined destinations.

32. The computer program product ofclaim 27, wherein:

the instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to define the one or more sources comprise instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to associate one or more of the chemicals or mixtures of chemicals with a type representing a class of chemicals to be used in preparing the library of materials;

the instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to receive user input specifying a mapping scheme comprise instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to receive input specifying one or more of the set of equations as a function of the type; and

the instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to use the equations comprise instructions operable to cause the programmable processor to solve the equations specified as a function of the type for a given destination cell or group of cells by substituting the corresponding chemical or chemicals associated with the type.

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