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Figure 1
Schematic of the main elements of the parallel crystallization platform taken from the control software. (1) Crystallization vessels arranged in four blocks of eight pairs of pre- and post-filtration 13 ml vessels. The crystallization blocks are located on an orbital shaker, allowing the programmed vortexing of all crystallization vessels in the range 0–1400 r.p.m. (2) Solvent library held in individual rubber septum glass vials across two racks. (3) Solid dispensing unit (SDU) home station. The SDU comprises an overhead balance that dispenses solid (weighing by difference) into crystallization vessels to a precision of 0.1 mg (Schröer & Diep, 2003BB7). (4) Solution rack for larger solvent volumes (50–100 ml). (5) Home station for four-channel needle-head. (6) Four-channel needle-head; the exchange and movement of solid and liquid handling tools is controlled by a robotic arm. (7) Four 10 ml glass syringes for liquid aspiration and dispensing via the four-channel needle-head. The syringes provide dosing precision of 0.04% (Munsch, 2003BB6). (8) Solid dosing extruder rack. The robotic arm selects powders from the rack. Each extruder comprises a plastic vial and extruder mechanism, enabling the precise flow of powders. (9) Rinse station for four-channel needle-head, to eliminate cross-contamination between vessels.

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APPLIED
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
ISSN: 1600-5767
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