In combinatorial chemistry, miniaturization and automation are used to carry out many experiments in a simultaneous array, as opposed to doing single experiments in sequence. This high throughput approach is widely used in the drug industry, and is now finding application in the development of novel materials for catalysis. Successful implementation of combinatorial methodology to speed discovery and commercialization of new materials requires that these techniques be applied to every step of the experimental process, from combination of reagents for synthesis through characterization and performance testing.

Arrays of catalyst precursors and molecular sieves synthesized by combinatorial methods must be rapidly screened for particle size distribution and morphology. Optimization of these characteristics is crucial for successful manufacture of formed products such as beads or extrudates on a commercial scale, and has traditionally been done by manual examination of dispersed powder samples in an SEM