Patent ID: 6991704

Claim:
A centrifugal evaporator comprising a sealable enclosure, means for applying suction to the enclosure, a sample support rotatably mounted therein and carrying a sample holder for containing a liquid sample material, a source of infrared radiation for directing heat energy towards the support to heat the support and in turn evaporate the liquid material in the holder, the support including a base and sides for retaining the holder while it is subject to heat and centrifugal force during operation of the evaporator, wherein a cushion of thermally conductive compliant material is located between the holder and the support so that under centrifugal loading the holder presses against the compliant material and becomes partially embedded therein, thereby increasing the area of contact between the holder and the compliant material during centrifuging, and increasing the rate of transfer of heat from the support to the holder and thus to the liquid sample material in the holder.