Method and apparatus for the rapid evaluation of a plurality of materials or samples

A method for the rapid evaluation of the extractability of materials from a plurality of samples, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of samples;
• disposing the plurality of samples in a plurality of solvents for a first predetermined period of time;
• providing a plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• measuring a predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• disposing the plurality of acoustic wave devices in the plurality of solvents for a second predetermined period of time;
• removing the plurality of acoustic wave devices from the plurality of solvents;
• measuring the predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• and
• correlating the change in the predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices to the extractability of materials from the plurality of samples.

A method for the rapid evaluation of the extractability of materials from a plurality of samples, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of samples, the plurality of samples arranged in an array;
• disposing the plurality of samples in a plurality of solvents for a first predetermined period of time, the plurality of solvents arranged in an array;
• providing a plurality of acoustic wave devices, the plurality of acoustic wave devices arranged in an array;
• simultaneously measuring a fundamental oscillation frequency of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• disposing the plurality of acoustic wave devices in the plurality of solvents for a second predetermined period of time;
• evaporating the plurality of solvents;
• simultaneously measuring the fundamental oscillation frequency of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• and
• correlating the change in the fundamental oscillation frequency of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices to the extractability of materials from the plurality of samples.

An apparatus for the rapid evaluation of the extractability of materials from a plurality of samples, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of wells, the plurality of wells arranged in an array;
• a plurality of samples and a plurality of solvents disposed within the plurality of wells, the plurality of samples and the plurality of solvents combining to form a plurality of solutions containing the materials;
• a plurality of acoustic wave devices, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices comprises at least one surface operable for attracting at least one of the materials from the plurality of solutions, the plurality of acoustic wave devices arranged in an array;
• means for measuring a predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices;
• and
• a correlation factor operable for correlating a change in the predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices to the extractability of the materials from the plurality of samples.

An apparatus for the rapid evaluation of chemical sensitivity properties of a plurality of materials, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of crystals coated with materials of interest and operable for receiving an oscillating potential and oscillating, the plurality of crystals arranged in an array;
• a plurality of oscillation devices operable for generating the oscillating potential, the plurality of oscillation devices arranged in an array;
• means for measuring an output parameter of each of the plurality of crystals;
• means for setting a plurality of measurement parameters;
• means for setting a plurality of control parameters;
• and
• wherein the plurality of crystals is remotely coupled to the plurality of oscillation devices such that the plurality of crystals are exposed to a first operating environment and the plurality of oscillation devices are exposed to a second operating environment.