Patent ID: 7288229

Claim:
Apparatus for parallel processing of reaction mixtures, comprising: a plurality of vessels sealed against fluid communication with one another, adapted for holding reaction mixtures for processing, and adapted for pressurization of the vessels to pressures other than ambient pressure; a stirring system for stirring the reaction mixtures in the vessels, said stirring system comprising stirrers at least partially contained in said vessels; a drive mechanism positioned below the vessels and coupled to the stirrers for rotating the stirrers independently of one another within the vessels, said drive mechanism comprising a plurality of motors individually coupled to respective stirrers to rotate said stirrers; a temperature control system operable to maintain the vessels at selected temperatures independent of one another whereby different vessels may simultaneously be maintained at different temperatures during said parallel processing; and torque monitors for measuring torque exerted by the motors on the reaction mixtures, wherein the motors are rigidly attached to a motor support, and the torque monitors measure torque between the motor support and the motors.