A New Generation of Microwave Synthesis Systems

(Matthews, North Carolina) August 17, 2009 – CEM Corporation, a leading global provider of microwave laboratory instrumentation, is pleased to announce the introduction of the Discover® SP and the Explorer® SP Microwave Synthesis Series at the American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition in Washington, DC today.

“The Discover SP takes microwave synthesis to the next level. The enhanced heating capabilities give the SP 250% greater heating efficiency,” said Michael J. Collins, president and CEO of CEM Corporation. “It is the first and only system to offer chemists a choice in how they vent their pressurized reactions. This is a significant advance in the technology that gives chemists more control over their reactions and more flexibility in their design.”

The SP Series is built with CEM’s new ActiVent™ Technology, a controlled sealing device designed to perform pressurized reactions, as well as allow for open vessel reactions. It represents a significant advance in automated pressure control allowing an expanded range of chemistries.

The SP System’s revolutionary design features an energy-efficient, enhanced heating capability that provides faster, more effective reaction heating than ever before. The self-tuning cavity ensures that reactions always receive the optimum amount of energy during the entire reaction. This innovative combination of technology and leading edge cavity design enables this high performance system to heat as fast and effectively as systems that utilize larger wattage magnetrons.

Chemists can choose to vent their reactions in situ or after their completion. The SP Systems automatically release gaseous build up safely and effectively through an exhaust hose. The system also provides the ability to control reactions using either a temperature or a pressure setpoint.

The system has all of the popular features of the Discover line of microwave synthesis systems and is the only single mode microwave system that can perform both pressurized and open vessel reactions. An automated version, known as the Explorer SP System, features 12, 48-, 72- or 96-position sample decks. Discover SP is compatible with all of the accessories for the Discover product line including options for the addition of gaseous reagents, low-temperature synthesis, and peptide synthesis.

CEM Corporation, a private company based in Matthews, North Carolina, is a leading provider of microwave laboratory instrumentation. The Company has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France, as well as a global network of distributors. CEM designs and manufactures systems for life sciences, analytical laboratories and processing plants worldwide. The Company’s products are used in many industries including pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical and food processing, as well as academic research.