Abstract: The invention relates to the use of stable atomic quantum clusters (AQC) with antimicrobial activity. The stable AQCs include at least 500 metal atoms (Mn, n<500), the metals being selected from among Au, Ag, Co, Cu, Pt, Fe, Cr, Pd, Ni, Rh, Pb or bi- or multi-metallic combinations thereof. Said AQCs are used as antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents and biocides at concentrations of the order of between 1 nM and 100 nM or more in relation to atoms of the corresponding metal. The antimicrobial activity is specific to both the type of metal and size of cluster used.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermally stable well servicing fluid in the form of an oil-in-water (O/W) macroemulsion, a water-in-oil (W/O) macroemulsion or a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion at the well drilling location is provided. The servicing fluid is prepared by mixing a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase and a surfactant phase to obtain either an O/W macroemulsion, a W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion. The surfactant phase comprises a first surfactant and/or a second surfactant. The first surfactant comprises a fatty acid mixture and a hygroscopic first additive. The second surfactant comprises a C4-C6 alcohol. Whether or not an O/W macroemulsion, W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion is produced is determined by the concentration of the phases, the first surfactant, the second surfactant and the timing upon which the first additive, water phase and second surfactant are introduced to the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of a metal nanoparticle which comprises at least one semiconductor attached to it, wherein the at least one semiconductor is an atomic quantum cluster (AQC) consisting of between 2 and 55 zero-valent transition metal atoms, as photocatalysts in photocatalytic processes and applications thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for preparing anisotropic metal nanoparticles with high aspect ratios and different types of structures by means of catalysis by Atomic Quantum Clusters (AQCs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydroxyapatite doped with Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions which partially substitute the calcium ions in the crystal lattice. The hydroxyapatite is characterized by an intrinsic magnetism of 0.05 to 8 emu/g, measured by applying a magnetic field of 34 Oe, due to the presence of magnetic nano-domains in the crystal lattice of HA, given the limited amount of magnetic secondary phases present, less than about 3% by volume. The intrinsically magnetic hydroxyapatite can be loaded with biological substances selected in the group consisting of proteins, genes, stem cells, growth factors, vascularization factors, active substances and drugs, under the control of an external magnetic field, as a carrier and release agent for biological substances or drugs, as a contrast agent in diagnostics or for bone or osteocartilage regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for preparing anisotropic metal nanoparticles with high aspect ratios and different types of structures by means of catalysis by Atomic Quantum Clusters (AQCs).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of stable atomic quantum clusters (AQC) with antimicrobial activity. The stable AQCs include at least 500 metal atoms (Mn, n<500), the metals being selected from among Au, Ag, Co, Cu, Pt, Fe, Cr, Pd, Ni, Rh, Pb or bi- or multi-metallic combinations thereof. Said AQCs are used as antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents and biocides at concentrations of the order of between 1 nM and 100 nM or more in relation to atoms of the corresponding metal. The antimicrobial activity is specific to both the type of metal and size of cluster used.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermally stable well servicing fluid in the form of an oil-in-water (O/W) macroemulsion, a water-in-oil (W/O) macroemulsion or a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion at the well drilling location is provided. The servicing fluid is prepared by mixing a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase and a surfactant phase to obtain either an O/W macroemulsion, a W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion. The surfactant phase comprises a first surfactant and/or a second surfactant. The first surfactant comprises a fatty acid mixture and a hygroscopic first additive. The second surfactant comprises a C4-C6 alcohol. Whether or not an O/W macroemulsion, W/O macroemulsion or a W/O microemulsion is produced is determined by the concentration of the phases, the first surfactant, the second surfactant and the timing upon which the first additive, water phase and second surfactant are introduced to the mixture.

Abstract: Stable atomic quantum clusters, AQCs, characterized by being composed of at least 500 metal atoms, its production process characterized by having a kinetic control and by maintaining a low concentration of reagents in the reaction medium, as well as the uses of these clusters as sensors (fluorescent, magnetic or chemical), electrocatalysts and as cytostatics and/or cytotoxics.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bimodal emulsion of viscous hydrocarbon in water includes providing a stream of water at ambient temperature; providing a liquid additive that tends to gel when mixed with water at temperatures less than a gelling temperature TG; heating the stream to provide a heated stream at a temperature TC which is greater than ambient temperature and less than the gelling temperature TG; feeding the heated stream to a mixer having a mixer inlet so as to impart energy to the heated stream; adding the liquid additive to the heated stream downstream of the mixer inlet, whereby the liquid additive mixes with the stream and the energy inhibits gelling of the liquid additive to provide a substantially homogeneous solution of additive in water. The solution is then divided and used to make two different droplet sized emulsions which are mixed to form the bimodal emulsion.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bimodal emulsion of viscous hydrocarbon in water includes the steps of providing a stream of water at ambient temperature providing at least one liquid additive that tends to gel when mixed with water at temperatures less than a gelling temperature TG heating said stream to provide a heated stream at a temperature Tc which is greater than ambient temperature and less than said gelling temperature TG feeding said heated stream to a mixer having a mixer inlet so as to impart energy to said heated stream adding said liquid additive to said heated stream downstream of said mixer inlet, whereby said liquid additive mixes with said stream and said energy inhibits gelling of said liquid additive so as to provide a substantially homogeneous solution of additive in water dividing said solution into a first portion and a second portion mixing said first portion with a viscous hydrocarbon in a first dynamic mixer so as to provide a first hydrocarbon in water emulsion having a first average drop

Abstract: Process to obtain ultra fine magnetic Nd-Fe-B particles of various sizes, which can cause a reaction in different kinetic conditions, between compounds of Nd, Fe and B in the sine of micro-emulsions formed by water, oil and a surface-active agent, in different thermodynamic conditions.