| abstract |
A polymer synthesis apparatus ( 20 ) for building a polymer chain including a head assembly ( 21 ) having an array of nozzles ( 22 ) with each nozzle coupled to a reservoir ( 23 ) of liquid reagent ( 24 ), and a base assembly ( 25 ) having an array of reaction wells ( 26 ). A transport mechanism ( 27 ) aligns the reaction wells ( 26 ) and selected nozzles ( 22 ) for deposition of the liquid reagent ( 24 ) into selected reaction wells ( 26 ). A sliding seal ( 30 ) is positioned between the head assembly ( 21 ) and the base assembly ( 25 ) to form a common chamber ( 31 ) enclosing both the reaction well ( 26 ) and the nozzles ( 22 ) therein. A gas inlet ( 70 ) into the common chamber ( 31 ), upstream from the nozzles ( 22 ), and a gas outlet ( 71 ) out of the common chamber ( 31 ), downstream from the nozzles ( 22 ), sweeps the common chamber ( 31 ) of toxic fumes emitted by the reagents. Each reaction well ( 26 ) includes an orifice ( 74 ) extending into the well ( 26 ) which is of a size and dimension to form a capillary liquid seal to retain the reagent solution ( 76 ) in the well ( 26 ) for polymer chain growth therein. A pressure regulating device ( 82 ) is provided for controlling a pressure differential, between a first gas pressure exerted on the reaction well ( 26 ) and a second gas pressure exerted on an exit ( 80 ) of the orifice, such that upon the pressure differential exceeding a predetermined amount, the reagent solution ( 76 ) is expelled from the well ( 26 ) through the orifice ( 74 ). A method of synthesis of a polymer chain in a synthesis apparatus ( 20 ) is also included. |