Patent ID: 6393895
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B01J,G01H,G01N

Abstract:
A method for measuring a property of a plurality of liquid compositions using a plurality of tuning fork resonators, the method comprising:providing an array of sample wells; placing each of said plurality of liquid compositions in a separate sample well; placing one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators in a first of said plurality of liquid compositions such that at least a portion of said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators is surrounded by said first of said plurality of liquid compositions; placing another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators in a second of said plurality of liquid compositions such that at least a portion of said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators is surrounded by said second of said plurality of liquid compositions; applying a variable frequency input signal to a measurement circuit coupled with said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators to oscillate said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators; applying a variable frequency input signal to a measurement circuit coupled with said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators to oscillate said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators wherein the measurement circuit coupled to said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators and the measurement circuit coupled to said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators may be the same circuit or two separate circuits; varying a frequency of the variable frequency input signal associated with said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators over a predetermined frequency range to obtain a frequency-dependent resonator response of said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators; varying a frequency of the variable frequency input signal associated with said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators over a predetermined frequency range to obtain a frequency-dependent resonator response of said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators; and analyzing the resonator responses of said one of said plurality of tuning fork resonators and said another of said plurality of tuning fork resonators to measure said property of said first of said plurality of liquid compositions and said second of said plurality of liquid compositions.