A material processing apparatus comprising: a hollow tank having an interior bounded by at least one interior wall; a mixing paddle disposed and adapted to travel within the interior of the tank, the paddle being adapted to engage a support rod mechanically coupleable to receive kinetic energy from a kinetic energy source; a functional element arranged to travel with the mixing paddle within the interior of the tank, the functional element including any of: (a) at least one sensor in sensory communication with the interior of the tank; (b) a material extraction conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the extraction of material from the interior of the tank; (c) a material addition conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition of a material to the interior of the tank; and (d) a heat exchange element in thermal communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition or removal of thermal energy from the interior; wherein the tank comprises a flexible sleeve having an open end affixed to the tank, having a closed end protruding into the interior, having at least one exterior wall, and defining a cavity containing the mixing paddle, with the at least one interior wall of the tank and the at least one exterior wall of the sleeve enclosing a volume, such that the sleeve serves as an isolation barrier between the volume and the mixing paddle. a hollow tank having an interior bounded by at least one interior wall; a mixing paddle disposed and adapted to travel within the interior of the tank, the paddle being adapted to engage a support rod mechanically coupleable to receive kinetic energy from a kinetic energy source; a functional element arranged to travel with the mixing paddle within the interior of the tank, the functional element including any of: (a) at least one sensor in sensory communication with the interior of the tank; (b) a material extraction conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the extraction of material from the interior of the tank; (c) a material addition conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition of a material to the interior of the tank; and (d) a heat exchange element in thermal communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition or removal of thermal energy from the interior; (a) at least one sensor in sensory communication with the interior of the tank; (b) a material extraction conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the extraction of material from the interior of the tank; (c) a material addition conduit in at least selective fluid communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition of a material to the interior of the tank; and (d) a heat exchange element in thermal communication with the interior of the tank and adapted to permit the addition or removal of thermal energy from the interior; wherein the tank comprises a flexible sleeve having an open end affixed to the tank, having a closed end protruding into the interior, having at least one exterior wall, and defining a cavity containing the mixing paddle, with the at least one interior wall of the tank and the at least one exterior wall of the sleeve enclosing a volume, such that the sleeve serves as an isolation barrier between the volume and the mixing paddle.