Abstract: Provided is a port for a food processing appliance, in particular an appliance for the processing of ingredients and preparing a cooled edible product therefrom, e.g. ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, slushes, shakes, blended frozen coffee drinks, etc., particularly such an appliance intended for home use, offices, or for small businesses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a grilled seaweed includes the apparatus comprising a grilling unit having a first housing with a first inlet opening and a first outlet opening which communicate with each other; a first conveyor for transferring a sheet of seaweed from the first inlet opening to the first outlet opening; a first heating source installed over the first conveyor to discharge a flame onto a top surface of the seaweed being transferred by the first conveyor; and a second heating source installed on both sides of a lower portion of the first conveyor to apply a flame onto a bottom surface of the seaweed being transferred by the first conveyor.

Abstract: A food station includes a base configured to support a food product, a frame coupled to the base and including a longitudinal member having a length extending in a longitudinal direction, and a heat strip module coupled to the longitudinal member. The heat strip module includes a housing, a heating element coupled to the housing, and a reflector coupled to the housing. The heat strip module is at least one of (a) selectively rotatable relative to the longitudinal member between a first orientation and a second orientation and configured to emit the energy in both the first orientation and the second orientation or (b) selectively repositionable along the length of the longitudinal member between a first position and a second position and configured to emit the energy in both the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A frozen product machine that solves problems associated with conventional home ice cream and frozen product machines by prevents loss of product in the chamber and decreases freezing time for a liquid product. A cooling chamber is cooled by a cooling element that provides variable cooling temperatures throughout the cooling chamber. A temperature gradient, progressing from lower temperatures at the bottom of the chamber, or the outlet, to higher at the top of the chamber, or inlet, create a more efficient means of cooling a frozen product. An auger, that may be shaped to match the shape of the cooling chamber may include slots that allow for controlled flow of frozen product through the chamber to promote efficient cooling. Hinged fins may rotate from open to closed within the slot to further enhance flow of frozen product through the frozen product machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to exfoliate a graphite grain is described. A mixture of a graphite grain and a fluid medium are transferred into a vessel. The vessel includes an agitator and a chiller. The chiller chills the mixture such that the fluid medium at least partially solidifies into an ice grain. The agitator agitates the mixture to induce a contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain. The contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain exfoliates the graphite grain.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making a pharmaceutical dosage form include making a pharmaceutical composition that includes one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients by thermokinetic compounding into a composite. Compositions and methods of preprocessing a composite comprising one or more APIs with one or more excipients include thermokinetic compounding, comprising thermokinetic processing the APIs with the excipients into a composite, wherein the composite can be further processed by conventional methods known in the art, such as hot melt extrusion, melt granulation, compression molding, tablet compression, capsule filling, film-coating, or injection molding.

Abstract: A cooking utensil includes a drive unit which is configured to drive at least one consumer, and a receiving unit which is configured to receive energy in a contactless manner and to supply energy to the drive unit. The cooking utensil can be part of a cooking system which further includes a cooktop apparatus having an induction unit configured at least to supply energy for the receiving unit of the cooking utensil.

Abstract: A Fenton apparatus of the present disclosure includes a reactor vessel, gas injection inlets that allow ejection of aeration coolant perpendicular to axis of the reactor vessel to agitate a reaction composition present in the reactor vessel under vortex conditions, a jacket cooling loop encasing the reactor vessel to allow circulation of a jacket coolant selected from a group consisting of forced air, nitrogen gas, and water, a coil cooling loop coiling around the reactor vessel to allow circulation of a coil coolant selected from a group consisting of forced air, nitrogen gas, water, and carbon dioxide. Multiple programmable solenoid valves are provided to individually control injection of the aeration coolant, the jacket coolant, and the coil coolant. A controller is provided to communicate with a temperature sensor and each programmable solenoid valve.

Abstract: A blender for blending food products includes a vessel configured for containing the food products and a cutter blade base having a cutter blade assembly. The cutter blade base releasably coupled to and cooperating with the vessel to seal the food products within the vessel and blend the food products. The cutter blade assembly is driven by a drive device. A pressure minimizing device prevents an overaccumulation of pressure within the vessel as the food products are blended therein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making a pharmaceutical dosage form include making a pharmaceutical composition that includes one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients by thermokinetic compounding into a composite. Compositions and methods of preprocessing a composite comprising one or more APIs with one or more excipients include thermokinetic compounding, comprising thermokinetic processing the APIs with the excipients into a composite, wherein the composite can be further processed by conventional methods known in the art, such as hot melt extrusion, melt granulation, compression molding, tablet compression, capsule filling, film-coating, or injection molding.

Abstract: A micro-emulsion and a method of making the micro-emulsion are described. The micro-emulsion includes a hydrocarbon component, an ionic liquid component, and a co-solvent. The ionic liquid comprises a halometallate anion and a cation. The micro-emulsion can optionally include a surfactant, and a catalyst promoter. The co-solvent has a polarity greater than the polarity of the hydrocarbon. The ionic liquid is present in an amount of about 0.05 wt % to about 40 wt % of the micro-emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-permeable tube which has a double-walled construction. The material of the interior wall contains ceramic matrix composite. The material of the exterior wall contains metal. The present invention further relates to the use of this tube in a rotary tube furnace and the use of the rotary tube furnace for thermal treatment of materials. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a single-walled tube containing ceramic matrix composite as rotary tube.

Abstract: A mixing and thawing device (1) has a rocker drive (2) and a bag holder (3) for holding a bag (7). The bag holder (3) has a base part (8) and a lid part (9) that enclose a holding space (10) for the bag (7). A heating element (11) is arranged in the base part (8). Thus, the holding space (10) is designed as a heat-insulating closed chamber. Interconnected intermediate spaces (14, 15) are arranged between the bag (7) and the base part (8) and between the bag (7) and the lid part (9). One or more flow generators (16) are provided to generate a circulating fluid flow (17).

Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, can be coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system for dissolving gases into a liquid without side-stream pumping includes a pressure vessel defining a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a gas inlet device disposed within an internal chamber of the pressure vessel, a gas source in selective fluid communication with the gas inlet device and the internal chamber of the pressure vessel through a gas control valve and configured to provide a gas pressure, a liquid inlet pipe in selective fluid communication with the liquid inlet of the pressure vessel through a liquid inlet valve, and an outlet pipe in selective fluid communication with the liquid outlet through a liquid outlet valve for discharging the liquid from the internal chamber of the pressure vessel. The gas pressure both facilitates the dissolving of the gas in the liquid and forces the liquid out of the pressure vessel when the liquid is exposed to the gas pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the extrusion of polymer compositions based on polyvinylchloride (PVC) as a semifinished PVC product, in particular as pellets, and in particular to a method in which homogeneous polymer compositions with an elongation at break of 0 to 270%, a tensile strength of at least 1 N/mm2 and a degree of gelation of 5 to 80% are produced by using a specific energy input SEI of 0.03 to 0.09 kWh/kg. The method according to the invention is expediently conducted by a plasticizer being added in a number of portions to the non-compounded polyvinylchloride and mixed in with it. The method according to the invention thereby offers a quick and easy possible way of producing semifinished plasticized PVC products, in particular as pellets, the production of which only requires a single processing device in the form of an extruder.

Abstract: A method and a device are for making of a multi-components product material. The device includes a processing and homogenizing chamber for primary particle components. The chamber includes at least two sets of rotary shovels, which rotate in parallel in a mutually counter-rotating, homogenizing mode, inlet(s) into the chamber for at least one secondary component in a fluid state and/or fine particulate material state, which interacts with the primary components while they are moved around in the chamber by sets of the shovels, and an outlet in the chamber to allow the primary and secondary components to leave the chamber as the multi-component product material.

Abstract: A lab rack rotator includes a motor coupled to a shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the motor. One or more mounts are located along the surface of the shaft and are configured to receive a lab sample rack which holds a plurality of lab samples contained in lab sample containers such as test tubes. Rotation of the shaft permits inversion of the plurality of lab samples, for instance whole blood samples. The lab rack rotator increases the number of lab samples that may be agitated in an automated process while decreasing the amount of time required for necessary pre-testing agitation of samples.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide, in one embodiment, a rapid-agitation mixer for food products that comprises a product holder configured to hold a sealed product cup containing a food product to be mixed, and a drive shaft along an agitation axis, the drive shaft configured to secure the product holder and product cup in place. The illustrative mixer also comprises a drive motor configured to reciprocate the drive shaft in opposing directions, where the product holder correspondingly reciprocates the product cup to churn the food product within the product cup.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator comprising: a main body including a food storage space and a cold air generation portion, a door installed on the main body to open and close the food storage space, an ice machine installed in the food storage space to generate ice, an ice bucket arranged in the ice machine to accommodate the ice therein, a motor system installed in the door, and a transport system which includes a first end portion that is rotatably coupled to a rear surface of the ice bucket and a second end portion that is docked with the motor system when the door is closed, and is rotated together with a motor of the motor system to transport the ice accommodated in the ice bucket when the motor of the motor system is rotated.

Abstract: Method and installation for converting a metal in the liquid state into a fragmented metal in the solid state. The metal in the liquid state is poured on an upstream portion of a receiving surface (7) of a first cooled vibrating table (4). The metal falls from the downstream end of the first table on an upstream portion of a receiving surface (17) of a second cooled vibrating table (5). The fragmented and solidified metal is discharged at the downstream end of the receiving surface of that second table. A rotary fragmentation roller (102) may be positioned above a table. The tables comprise an upstream cooling zone (7) by means of a liquid/gas emulsion and a downstream cooling zone (17) by means of a liquid.

Abstract: A heated air popcorn popper provides easy access and clean up through the use of a detachable popping pitcher. The detachable popping pitcher defines an interior popping volume in which heated air is used to cause unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher handle allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the popping pitcher when selectively detaching and attaching the popping pitcher to the popcorn popper. The detachable popping pitcher is completely removable from a popper housing such that loading unpopped kernels into the popping pitcher is simplified and the user need not be concerned about access being awkward or limited. The detachable popping pitcher can be fully removed from the popper housing following popping such that any remaining unpopped or popped kernels can be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher and the detachable popping pitcher can be cleaned.

Abstract: A jar or other storage container with an integrated stirring device, where the contents of the jar or storage container can be stirred and mixed together without having to completely open the jar or storage container. The core components in one embodiment are a top portion that contains external threads, a lid portion which contains internal threads, a spindle with an etched self-reversing screw pattern, a hub, one or more stirring blades, and a nut. The stirring blades have one end attached at a hub that is free to rotate on the spindle, the other end is attached to a nut that can travel up and down the self-reversing screw pattern, and the spindle is fixed to the lid portion. The surface area of the stirring blade(s) can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses and viscosities of different fluids and semi-fluids placed in the storage container.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a carrier which includes a holder side member; a conveying passage which guides conveyance of the carrier; a spirally-shaped spiral member which is arranged below the carrier and extends along the conveying passage, the spiral member causing between the spiral member and the holder side member a first force which acts in a direction away from the holder side member or a second force which acts to draw in the holder side member; a partition wall portion which is provided between the carrier and the spiral member and partitions the carrier and the spiral member; and a rotary unit which rotates the spiral member axis-wise thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchange module for use in a chemical, pharmaceutical or biological reactor system, the module configured to be disposed in the reactor system having a flexible single use container, and including at least one thermally conductive surface adapted to contact the flexible single use container to facilitate heat transfer, and a fluid circulation path through which a heat exchange fluid can be circulated.

Abstract: A batch-freezer machine for producing ice-cream. The machine includes a cylindrical-shaped processing tank and a rotating mixing member housed in an axially rotatable manner inside the processing tank, and structured so as to be able to blend/mix the semi-solid mixture that forms inside the processing tank. The mixing member is provided with a centrifugal impeller which is arranged to directly face the inner face of the hatch, and is structured so as to be able to push/eject the semi-solid mixture located at the center of the opening of the processing tank towards the internal cylindrical lateral surface of the processing tank, when the mixing member rotates inside the processing tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable production line. The invention relates notably to a process for manipulating, manufacturing or packaging products or devices under inert atmosphere, and/or sterile conditions and/or pyrogen free environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular installation (1) for carrying out a method of manufacturing an explosive emulsion precursor comprising at least three containers: —a first container (100) for preparing an aqueous phase, including a dissolution first tank (110); and —at least one second and/or third container (200, 300) including a second tank for preparing oily phase (210) and a third tank for preparing emulsion (310); and —at least one fourth and/or fifth container (400, 500) including means (410) for feeding heat and means (510) for feeding electrical energy; and —said first, second and/or third containers (100, 200, 300) being juxtaposed over at least a portion of one of their walls (100a, 300b, 200b) and being provided with openings (170, 370a, 275, 375, 270b) in their walls.

Abstract: A mixing process and system for mixing fluid such as a latex can include a first fluid and a second fluid that are combined to form, for example, a latex precursor. A plurality of magnetic particles are dispensed within the precursor. The precursor is dispensed within a mixing zone that may include a mixing tube. Two or more opposing electromagnets are activated out of phase (i.e., out of sync) to affect a travel path of the magnetic particles to form a turbulence within the precursor to provide an effective mixing of the precursor to form a material such as latex. The magnetic particles may be removed from the material, for example by filtering, or may remain within the material during use.

Abstract: A portable cooler includes an insulated body that defines a main interior storage space, and a lid structured to at least partially cover the main interior storage space. The lid includes an integrated blender or an integrated blender drive. Components of the blender may include a source of electrical power, an electric motor, and a blender spindle mounted through a surface of the lid and coupled to the electric motor. The integrated blender may also include a blender jar structured to hold food items for blending and one or more blending blades. The lid may further include a blender recess shaped in a negative mold of a collar of the blender jar to prevent the blender jar from rotating during operation.

Abstract: A machine for the homogenization and thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products, for example ice creams, whipped cream, creams, chocolate, yogurt and the like, comprises a containment tank for the mixture and a centrifugal pump put in fluid communication with the bottom of the containment tank for drawing mixture from the tank and putting it back into the tank, heating and cooling means acting at the pump for heating and cooling the mixture in transit in the pump. The heating and cooling means comprise a thermal machine with reversible thermodynamic cycle and using carbon dioxide as refrigerant.

Abstract: A system for dispersing finely dispersed solids into high-viscosity products includes, in a container, a coaxial stirring system having stirring elements on two independently drivable, coaxially arranged shafts. A positive-displacement, close-wall-clearance stirring element on the one shaft and a plurality of stirring elements on a central shaft are arranged in such a manner that, in an upper mixing region of the container, a combination of the positive-displacement, close-wall-clearance stirring element and stirring elements for forming an ideally mixed zone is provided, and in a mixing region downstream of the upper mixing region of the container, stirring elements for developing a plug-flow zone are provided. A positive-displacement pump is provided in a region downstream of the plug flow zone as a discharge zone.

Abstract: A food-processing device for blending and mixing food comprises a mixing vessel, a blade holder, and a motor base. The motor is a high power motor. The device has various safety features designed for the high power motor. The blade holder comprises a safety mechanism that prevents the motor base from operating without the mixing vessel covering the blade. The mixing vessel also contains emitters that interact with detectors on the motor base that can allow a user to select an alternate blend speed according to the mixing vessel that is attached.

Abstract: A apparatus comprising: a vessel component comprising a flow-through interior chamber having an interior sidewall and an exterior sidewall; at least two inlets for introducing chemical components into the flow-through interior chamber; at least one outlet for removing product from the flow-through interior chamber; and an off center rotation component which is operatively connected to the vessel component. During operation of the apparatus, the off center rotation component generates vortical movement of at least two chemical components through the flow-through interior chamber of the vessel, and converts at least a portion of the at least two chemical components to at least one reaction product or product mixture. A method of using the apparatus to produce reaction products or product mixtures. The apparatus and method are useful for producing specialty chemicals such as fragrance and flavor compounds, insect pheromones, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical compounds, agrichemical compounds, and the like.

Abstract: A mixing process and system can include a plurality of magnetic particles within a fluid such as a liquid or solid to be mixed. The fluid to be mixed is dispensed within a mixing zone that may include a mixing tube. Two or more opposing electromagnets are independently activated out of sync to affect a travel path of the magnetic particles to form a turbulence within the fluid to provide an effective mixing of the fluid. The magnetic particles may be removed from the fluid, for example by filtering, or may remain within the fluid.

Abstract: A gas and a liquid are contacted in an apparatus, comprising a housing provided with: a liquid supply; at least two inclined plates that have been arranged in series and that are on a liquid side in fluid communication with the liquid supply; and a gas supply that is in fluid communication with a space at the other, gas side of the plates; wherein at least some of the plates, preferably all plates are provided with gas passage openings, which openings have been arranged downstream of the gas supply and have been provided with projecting channels with downstream directed flow openings on the liquid side that is in contact with the liquid; and wherein the plates are configured such that liquid flows from one plate directly onto a downstream plate via a slit-formed passage in a substantially vertical downwards direction.

Abstract: A system for mixing ortho-xylene with an oxygen-containing gas such as air comprises an evaporator vessel fed with the gas and having a lance projecting into the gas. The lance is provided with a metal spray nozzle for injecting droplets of hot liquid ortho-xylene into the gas stream, concurrently with the direction of flow of the gas. The metal at the surface of the spray nozzle, that in use is in contact with the liquid ortho-xylene, has a high surface hardness to resist erosion, particularly by cavitation. The system is useful in the production of phthalic anhydride by the oxidation of ortho-xylene with air, whereby the risk for deflagrations is reduced. A soft metal seal is the preferred gasket between the spray nozzle and the lance.

Abstract: A system for mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The system includes a mixing element disposed in the downhole sampling chamber. A support stand is operable to receive the downhole sampling chamber. A magnetic field generator is operably associated with the downhole sampling chamber such that when the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the mixing element moves through the formation fluid sample responsive to the magnetic field, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A stirring container and a stirring apparatus are provided. The stirring container includes a barrel and a plurality of stirring paddles. The barrel is defined with an inner surface, an outer surface, and a center axis. The first opening and a second opening are located at two ends of the center axis; and the paddles are fixed on the inner surface of the barrel and extend from the first opening to the second opening and the extending directions thereof are skewed to the center axis. The stirring apparatus includes the aforesaid stirring container, a supporting structure and a rotation module. The supporting structure connects to the outer surface of the barrel to make the barrel rotatable and covers the second opening. The rotation module connects to the outer surface to rotate the stirring container. Thereby, the stirring container and the stirring apparatus can provide better stirring results.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing system comprising a vessel (1) for housing a disposable fluid mixing bag (2), which vessel (1) comprises a base (3) supporting the fluid mixing bag (2) and a sidewall (4) extending vertically upwards from the base (3). The sidewall (4) of the vessel comprises a door opening (5) which is closable by a sliding door (6). The system with the sliding door provides an easy access to the inside of the vessel (1) in a space saving manner.

Abstract: To suppress the thermal expansion of a slide bar and to prevent occurrence of failures such as galling or malfunctioning to the slide bar, a resin discharge mechanism, provided in mixing equipment that includes a barrel having a hollow interior and a pair of mixing rotors accommodated in the barrel and that mixes a resin material by causing the paired mixing rotors to rotate within the barrel, for discharging a part of the resin material mixed by the mixing rotors to an outside of the barrel, the resin discharge mechanism including: a resin discharge passage provided in the barrel, and communicating an inside of the barrel with the outside of the barrel; a slide bar closing or opening the resin discharge passage by moving across the resin discharge passage; and a cooling device provided within the slide bar, and cooling the slide bar using a cooling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger mixing system comprising at least one heat exchanger zone, at least one connection plate having one or more mixing units, at least four corners per connection plate, wherein each corner being either blind passage corner, a through-passage corner, a single passage corner, or a double passage corner, and the one or more mixing units are provided with static mixing elements. Present invention relates further to use of a heat exchanger mixing system, and a process for mixing fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for admixing additives to a medium to be pumped, comprising at least one gear pump (2) for pumping a medium to be pumped, said gear pump (2) comprising at least one shaft (3) having a first driving torque; at least one injector (5) for introducing an additive into a medium to be pumped; at least one screw conveyor (6) for mixing said additive with said medium to be pumped, said screw conveyor having a second driving torque, and, characterized in that, the shaft (3) and the screw conveyor (6) are functionally connected, such that the first driving torque and the second driving torque are coupled.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polishing pad includes a housing including a body, an interconnection portion, and a discharging portion, and a stirrer located in the housing, the stirrer mixing a polishing pad composition and a pore forming material with each other. A diameter of the discharging portion is in a range of about 9 mm to about 16 mm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the mixing of a solution and reagents for various reactions and/or testing having a closed cartridge reaction well, a magnetically responsive bead within the well having a chemically inert coating. A heat source then heats the contents to a target temperature while oscillating magnetic fields move the bead within the well in order to mix the contents and make the contents of the reaction well homogeneous.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cosmetology and for technology for obtaining cosmetic products for skin care. The method of simultaneous processing and obtaining cosmetic emulsion volumes involves placing the volume within the continuous-flow mechanical oscillation system where the resonant acoustic cavitation behavior is implemented, so that the acoustic wave from the wall of the channel falls perpendicular to the major edge of volume, and the material they are made of has a specific acoustic impedance being equal or close to the impedance of the liquid filling the channel system. The amplitude of the ultrasonic resonance oscillations exceeds the threshold of acoustic cavitation for the mixture of ingredients that are currently being processed.

Abstract: Mixer for ceramic feedstock pellets with a tank, a mixing means, and heat exchange means including cooling means for the cooling of the content of this tank. Control means control the heat exchange means which include heating means arranged to heat the content of this tank to a temperature comprised between a lower temperature (TINF) and a higher temperature (TSUP) stored in a memory for a specific mixture, and the heating means exchange energy with a heat exchange and mixing temperature maintenance circuit, external to this tank, and wherein the thermal inertia of this circuit is higher than that of this fully loaded tank. The invention also concerns a method for mixing raw material for powder metallurgy, implementing a specific injection moulding composition and a specific binder.

Abstract: A continuous mixing reactor has an outer shell having a cylindrical portion with a central section and two opposite conical end sections; a circulation tube within the shell so that an annular passage forms between the shell and the circulation tube; an impeller within and positioned adjacent to one end of the circulation tube; and heat exchange means penetrating the outer shell and extending into the end of the circulation tube opposite the impeller. The outer shell has a hydraulic head forming one end of the shell, a heat exchange medium header at the opposite end of the shell. The circulation tube nearer the heat exchange medium header terminates at or downstream from a tangential plane extending through the shell at the intersection of the central section and the conical end section of the cylindrical portion of shell. The reactor is useful in an alkylation process.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for mixing of liquids (50) or of particles with a liquid (50). In a volume of liquid (50), a thermal convection flow is generated at at least one surface of the volume of liquid by irradiating IR radiation (30) into the volume of liquid. Thereby it is possible to avoid a depletion zone at the surface and to more accurately measure interactions of the particles with the surface by means of surface-based measurement methods.