Methods and apparatus for the preparation and use of a substrate having an
array of diverse materials in predefined regions thereon. A substrate
having an array of diverse materials thereon is generally prepared by
delivering components of materials to predefined regions on a substrate,
and simultaneously reacting the components to form at least two
materials. Materials which can be prepared using the methods and
apparatus of the present invention include, for example, covalent network
solids, ionic solids and molecular solids. More particularly, materials
which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present
invention include, for example, inorganic materials, intermetallic
materials, metal alloys, ceramic materials, organic materials,
organometallic materials, non-biological organic polymers, composite
materials (e.g., inorganic composites, organic composites, or
combinations thereof), etc. Once prepared, these materials can be
screened for useful properties including, for example, electrical,
thermal, mechanical, morphological, optical, magnetic, chemical, or other
properties. Thus, the present invention provides methods for the parallel
synthesis and analysis of novel materials having useful properties.