High throughput experimentation (HTE) entails the integration of more than one experimental stage; typically, the HTE cycle couples all of the four main stages labeled 'Design', 'Make', 'Test' and 'Model'. Even if we are simply applying combinatorial chemistry, one of the synthesis methods that has value in the 'Make' stage, however, there are several sub-operations that need be managed and executed efficiently. The systems issues are substantially greater when all four stages in the HTE cycle are brought to bear to achieve the discovery and development of, for example, a new heterogeneous catalyst for environmental application.

Practical approaches to considering and resolving systems issues encountered in implementing an HTE program for 'production mode' application in heterogeneous catalysis are discussed. We also consider the bases for decisions in such a program relative to the appropriate balance between automated, semi-automated and manual operations, between manual and computer control, between experimental information breadth and depth, between total data capture and pre-assimilation. These issues are illustrated by reference to one of our own HTE programs that has been operating for some time already in such 'production mode'.

Biography

John M. Newsam is Managing Director US and Head of Global Business Development for hte, the high throughput experimentation company. He received his B.A., M.A. and D.Phil. degrees in Chemistry from Oxford University, England and subsequently spent two years as a visiting research fellow in the Physics Department of Tohoku University, Japan. Joining the Corporate Research Laboratories of Exxon Research and Engineering Company in New Jersey in 1982, he held a series of positions from Research Chemist through Senior Staff Chemist. He joined Biosym Technologies Inc. (now Molecular Simulations Inc.) in October 1990 to direct the new Catalysis and Sorption Consortium and since then held a number of senior and executive management positions, most latterly Chief Scientific Officer. He joined hte in April 2000.

Professor Newsam has authored some 170 scientific papers and has been an invited or plenary lecture at international meetings on subjects including solid electrolytes, neutron scattering, crystallography, zeolites, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, catalysis, computer simulation and high throughput experimentation. He is a member of several editorial, advisory and corporate boards and serves as advisor to the NextGen Venture Fund. He received the Sidhu award in 1986, the Corday-Morgan Prize and Medal in 1989, the NY Catalysis Society Award for Excellence in Catalysis in 1997, and was appointed to an adjunct professorship in the Materials Department of the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1992.

Contact information

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    1. HTE GmbH, Kurpfalzring 104, 69123 Heidelberg-Pfaffengrund, Germany
    2. HTE North America, 9685 Scranton Road, San Diego CA 92121-3752