Abstract: A fine particle comprising a core and a coating, wherein the coating comprises a substantially monomolecular layer of organic molecules. The fine particle being produced by a process comprising introducing a core material into a plasma stream, thereby vaporizing some or all of the core material; cooling the core material downstream from where the core material was introduced thereby creating particles of the core material; and coating the particles of the core material with organic molecules in an injection zone, wherein the injection zone is downstream of a region where the particles of core material are formed, or wherein the cooled particles of core material are coated with organic molecules in a coating chamber by applying a liquid coating material and/or a solution of coating material to the core material; where in the coating chamber is downstream of a region wherein the particles of core material are formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of fine particles, the process comprising introducing a susceptor material into a plasma stream thereby vaporising some or all of the susceptor material; cooling the susceptor material downstream from where the susceptor material was introduced, thereby creating particles of the susceptor material; applying energy selected from electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than the optical band gap of the susceptor material, sound waves, photons, or a combination thereof, to the particles; and modifying the density of defects of the particles. Also described is a fine particle comprising a core comprising a susceptor material and a coating comprising functionality selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or combinations thereof, and a C6-C24 alkyl. A dispersion comprising a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, wherein the dispersed phased comprises a multiplicity of the fine particles.

Abstract: A fine particle comprising a core and a coating, wherein the coating comprises a substantially monomolecular layer of organic molecules. The fine particle being produced by a process comprising introducing a core material into a plasma stream, thereby vapourising some or all of the core material; cooling the core material downstream from where the core material was introduced thereby creating particles of the core material; and coating the particles of the core material with organic molecules in an injection zone, wherein the injection zone is downstream of a region where the particles of core material are formed, or wherein the cooled particles of core material are coated with organic molecules in a coating chamber by applying a liquid coating material and/or a solution of coating material to the core material; where in the coating chamber is downstream of a region wherein the particles of core material are formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of nanoparticles of a compound of general formula MnXy, where M is (i) a metal selected from the group consisting of Calcium (Ca), Aluminium (Al), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Tungsten (W) or Copper (Cu); or (ii) a non-metal selected from the group consisting of Silicon (Si), Boron (B) or Carbon (C); in which n is equal to 1, 2, or 3, and X is (iii) a non-metal selected from the group consisting of Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), or Carbon (C); or (iv) an anion selected from the group consisting of phosphate (PO43?), hydrogen phosphate (HPO42?), dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4?), carbonate (CO3), silicate (SiO42?), sulphate (SO42?), nitrate (NO3?), nitrite (NO2?); in which y is equal to 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; for use in reducing and/or preventing virus transmission. Articles of protective clothing or filters are provided in which the fibres are coated with said nanoparticles for use in reducing and/or preventing virus transmission.