Methods and apparatus for combinatorial (i.e., high-throughput) materials
research, such as catalysis research, that involves parallel apparatus
for simultaneously effecting mechanical treatments such as grinding,
mixing, pressing, crushing, sieving, and/or fractionating of such
materials are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are useful for
mechanically treating catalysis materials and other solid materials,
including without limitation, electronic materials such as phosphors,
colorants such as pigments, and pharmaceuticals such as crystalline drugs
or drug candidates. The simultaneous protocols and parallel apparatus
offer substantial improvements in overall throughput for preparing arrays
of materials, such as catalysis materials.