초록 ▼

An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions and an associated method are disclosed. The instrument typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reac

An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions and an associated method are disclosed. The instrument typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions, comprising: positioning a plurality of microwave transparent reaction vessels and their contents within a cavity;the cavity being in microwave communication with a microwave-radiation source;the source being in communication with a computer con

1. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions, comprising: positioning a plurality of microwave transparent reaction vessels and their contents within a cavity;the cavity being in microwave communication with a microwave-radiation source;the source being in communication with a computer controller;selecting a category of chemical reaction from a memory-stored plurality of predefined reaction methods on the computer controller;detecting the number and/or type of reaction vessels in the cavity using at least one reaction-vessel sensor in the cavity that is in communication with the computer controller;irradiating the vessels and their contents with microwaves while rotating the vessels on a turntable and while controlling microwave power with the computer controller in response to (i) the detected number and/or type of reaction vessels and (ii) the category of reaction method selected from the memory-stored plurality of methods; andmonitoring the temperature within the reaction vessels. 2. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting the microwave power in response to the monitored temperature. 3. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 2, further comprising storing the monitored temperature corresponding to the applied microwave power in the computer controller; and adding the stored relationship between the temperature within a reaction vessel and the microwave power to the plurality of predefined reaction methods. 4. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring the pressure within the reaction vessels; and adjusting the microwave power in response to the monitored pressure. 5. A method according to claim 1 comprising: identifying the physical characteristics of reaction vessels in the cavity using the reaction-vessel sensor;transmitting information regarding the physical characteristics of the reaction vessel to the computer controller; andcontrolling the microwave power with the computer controller based upon the identified physical characteristics of the reaction vessel. 6. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 5 further comprising storing the monitored temperature corresponding to the applied microwave power in the computer controller; and adding the stored relationship between the temperature within a reaction vessel and the microwave power to the plurality of predefined reaction methods. 7. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions, comprising: selecting a preprogrammed reaction method from a memory-stored plurality of predefined reaction methods in a microwave instrument for the microwave instrument to perform;applying microwave radiation based upon the preprogrammed reaction method to the contents of a plurality of reaction vessels revolving in the microwave instrument;measuring a temperature within the reaction vessels in the microwave instrument using a temperature sensor in the instrument;calculating the difference between the measured temperature in the reaction vessels and a temperature in the selected preprogrammed reaction method; andmodifying the preprogrammed reaction method in the memory of the microwave instrument based upon the measured temperature. 8. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 7 further comprising adjusting the microwave power until the measured temperature more closely matches the temperature of the predefined reaction method. 9. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 8 further comprising adjusting the microwave power by adjusting the output of the microwave-radiation source. 10. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 8 further comprising adjusting the microwave power by moderating the transmission of microwaves between the source and the cavity. 11. A method according to claim 7 comprising: calculating whether the measured temperature is higher than a maximum allowable temperature in the selected predefined reaction method; andadjusting the microwave power if the temperature is higher than the maximum allowable temperature in the selected predefined reaction method. 12. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 11 further comprising adjusting the microwave power by reducing the output of the microwave-radiation source. 13. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions according to claim 11 further comprising adjusting the microwave power by moderating the transmission of microwaves between the source and the cavity.