Apparatuses and methods for creating and testing pre-formulations and systems for same

A crystallization assembly for crystallizing at least one solution, comprising:

• a reactor having a first side and a second side, said reactor having a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole including a well located on said second side;
• an o-ring that is configured to fit in said well;
• a substrate that is secured to said second side with a base cover, wherein said base cover presses said substrate against said o-ring, thereby providing an isolated region on said substrate that corresponds to one of said plurality of through-holes;
• and
• a reactor cover that secures a barrier sheet to said first side such that said barrier sheet seals said plurality of through-holes to isolate said at least one solution contained in one of said plurality of through-holes from said at least one solution contained in every other one of said plurality of through-holes, said reactor cover having a plurality of holes that each correspond to each one of said plurality of through-holes.

A reactor assembly for formulating an array of materials in a high-throughput mode, comprising:

• a reactor base having a plurality of vials;
• a barrier sheet mounted on a first side of said reactor base, said barrier sheet comprising a material that is pierceable;
• a reactor cover that secures said barrier sheet to said reactor base such that said barrier sheet seals said plurality of vials to isolate said materials contained within each said plurality of vials, said reactor cover having a plurality of holes that each correspond to one of said plurality of vials;
• and
• a reactor bottom that secures an elastic layer to a second side of said reactor base, wherein said elastic layer provides tolerance for dimensional differences among said plurality of vials.

A vented needle assembly configured for maintaining a substantially constant pressure within a sealed receptacle when aspirating a liquid out of or dispensing liquid into said sealed receptacle, comprising:

• a body having a main axis;
• at least one guide rod that slides in and out of said body along said main axis;
• a guide block attached to said at least one guide rod such that said guide block moves in conjunction with said at least one guide rod;
• a compressible spacer that provides tension between said body and said guide block;
• a venting needle coupled within said guide block in parallel to said main axis, said venting needle extending beyond a first side of said guide block by a fixed length, thereby providing an open passage through said guide block;
• and
• a liquid handling needle coupled to said body in parallel to said main axis, said liquid handling needle configured to pass through said guide block.