Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for improving the performance of batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, including reviving or rejuvenating a partially or totally dead battery, by adding an amount of nonionic, ground state metal nanoparticles to the electrolyte of the battery, and optionally recharging the battery by applying a voltage. The metal nanoparticles may be gold and coral-shaped and are added to provide a concentration within the electrolyte of 100 ppb to 2 ppm or more (e.g., up to 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, or 100 ppm). The metal nanoparticles may be added to battery electrode paste applied to the electrodes to enhance newly manufactured or remanufactured batteries.

Abstract: Anti-corrosion nanoparticle compositions include a carrier and a plurality of nonionic metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles can be spherical-shaped and/or coral-shaped metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are selected so as to locate at the grain boundaries of a metal or metal alloy when the anti-corrosion composition is applied to the metal or alloy, thereby reducing or preventing intergranular corrosion of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for improving the performance of lead-acid batteries, including reviving or rejuvenating a partially or totally dead battery, by adding an amount of nonionic, ground state metal nanoparticles to the electrolyte of the battery, and optionally recharging the battery by applying a voltage. The metal nanoparticles may be gold and coral-shaped, and are added to provide a concentration within the electrolyte of 100 ppb to 2 ppm.

Abstract: Stabilized multi-component antimicrobial compositions for treating tissue diseases, infections or conditions include a first and second set of differently sized and/or differently shaped metal nanoparticles, and a stabilizing agent. Compositions and treatment methods may be used for treating tissue diseases, infections or conditions caused by microbial infections, such as bacteria, viral, and/or fungal infections, or for preventing the infection of a wound, such as a cut, abrasion, ulcer, lesion, sore, and the like. The compositions and treatment methods disclosed herein may also be used as a prophylactic, and in some embodiments may be applied to otherwise healthy tissue in order to prevent or reduce the occurrence of a tissue disease, infection or condition.

Abstract: Anti-corrosion nanoparticle compositions include a carrier and a plurality of nonionic metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles can be spherical-shaped and/or coral-shaped metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are selected so as to locate at the grain boundaries of a metal or metal alloy when the anti-corrosion composition is applied to the metal or alloy, thereby reducing or preventing intergranular corrosion of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for creating uniformly sized, spherical nanoparticles from a solid target. The solid target surface is ablated to create an ejecta event containing nanoparticles moving away from the target surface. Ablation may be performed by laser or electrostatic discharge. At least one continuous planar electromagnetic field is placed in front of the solid target surface being ablated. The electromagnetic field manipulates at least a portion of the nanoparticles as they move away from the target surface and pass through the electromagnetic field to increase size and spherical shape uniformity of the nanoparticles. The manipulated nanoparticles are collected as a stable suspension in a fluid.

Abstract: A nanoparticle composition for treating onychomycosis includes spherical-shaped nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution and coral-shaped nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution mixed within a penetrating solvent configured to deliver the nanoparticles to target area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue. The nanoparticle composition can be mixed with a carrier to provide or augment application of the nanoparticle composition to a target area. The penetrating solvent can deliver the nanoparticles to an infected area within the nail and/or at the bed of the nail so as to kill or deactivate the fungal microbes causing the onychomycosis.

Abstract: Nanoparticle treated fibrous articles, such as fabrics, fibers, filaments, or yarns, include a plurality of exposed, nonionic metal nanoparticles non-covalently affixed thereto. Metal nanoparticles, particularly spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles which have solid cores, can be strongly affixed to fibrous articles without covalently bonds and/or without being encapsulated within a polymer or adhesive. Spherical metal nanoparticles appear to adhere to fibrous articles by Van der Waals forces. Because they are nonionic, spherical nanoparticles are not easily removed by solvents, water, surfactants, and soaps and remain after several washings, sometimes up to 50 or more washings. Nonetheless, they readily detach from fibrous articles when contacted by microbes and then kill or denature the microbes.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for creating uniformly sized, spherical nanoparticles from a solid target. The solid target surface is ablated to create an ejecta event containing nanoparticles moving away from the surface. Ablation may be caused by laser or electrostatic discharge. At least one electromagnetic field is placed in front of the solid target surface being ablated. The electromagnetic field manipulates at least a portion of the nanoparticles as they move away from the target surface through the electromagnetic field to increase size and spherical shape uniformity of the nanoparticles. The manipulated nanoparticles are collected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively making non-spherical metal nanoparticles from a metal material. The metal target surface is ablated to create an ejecta event or plume containing nanoparticles moving away from the surface. Ablation may be caused by laser or electrostatic discharge. At least one electromagnetic field is placed in front of the solid target surface being ablated. The electromagnetic field manipulates at least a portion of the nanoparticles as they move away from the target surface through the electromagnetic field to create coral-shaped metal nanoparticles. The distance between the electromagnetic field and metal surface can be adjusted to yield metal nanoparticles of a desired size and/or shape.

Abstract: Fuel additive compositions include a plurality of metal nanoparticles and a carrier that is dispersible in a hydrocarbon fuel. The metal nanoparticles can be spherical-shaped and/or coral-shaped metal nanoparticles. The carrier can be liquid, gel or solid and can be readily miscible or soluble in a hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, or fuel oil. The carrier can be a solid carrier configured to allow the hydrocarbon fuel to dissolve the solid carrier in order to release and disperse the metal nanoparticles within the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions for treating citrus greening disease and other plant diseases include a liquid or gel carrier and metal nanoparticles dispersed therein. The metal nanoparticles can be spherical-shaped and/or coral-shaped. Methods of treating plant diseases include applying a nanoparticle composition to an infected plant part to kill the microbe causing the disease. The method may further include removing an infected plant part, such as a branch, treating the infected plant part with a nanoparticle composition, and grafting the plant part (branch) back onto the plant. The plant may particularly be a citrus tree.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for creating uniformly sized, spherical nanoparticles from a solid target. The solid target surface is ablated to create an ejecta event containing nanoparticles moving away from the surface. Ablation may be caused by laser or electrostatic discharge. At least one electromagnetic field is placed in front of the solid target surface being ablated. The electromagnetic field manipulates at least a portion of the nanoparticles as they move away from the target surface through the electromagnetic field to increase size and spherical shape uniformity of the nanoparticles. The manipulated nanoparticles are collected.

Abstract: Stabilized multi-component antimicrobial compositions for treating tissue diseases, infections or conditions include a first and second set of differently sized and/or differently shaped metal nanoparticles, and a stabilizing agent. Compositions and treatment methods may be used for treating tissue diseases, infections or conditions caused by microbial infections, such as bacteria, viral, and/or fungal infections, or for preventing the infection of a wound, such as a cut, abrasion, ulcer, lesion, sore, and the like. The compositions and treatment methods disclosed herein may also be used as a prophylactic, and in some embodiments may be applied to otherwise healthy tissue in order to prevent or reduce the occurrence of a tissue disease, infection or condition.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions include a plurality of spherical-shaped nanoparticles and a plurality of coral-shaped metal nanoparticles, each coral-shaped metal nanoparticle having a non-uniform cross section and a globular structure formed by multiple, non-linear strands joined together without right angles. The nanoparticle compositions can be one-part or multi-part compositions. Nanoparticle compositions can have a mass ratio of spherical-shaped to coral-shaped nanoparticles of about 5:1-20:1, about 7.5:1-15:1, about 9:1-11:1, or about 10:1 and/or a number ratio of spherical-shaped to coral-shaped nanoparticles of about 50:1-200:1, about 75:1-150:1, about 90:1-110:1 or about 100:1. The nanoparticle compositions can be used for various purposes, including as an antimicrobial (e.g., anti-viral, anti-bacteria, or anti-fungal composition), fuel additive, or treating fabrics.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for creating uniformly sized, spherical nanoparticles from a solid target. The solid target surface is ablated to create an ejecta event containing nanoparticles moving away from the surface. Ablation may be caused by laser or electrostatic discharge. At least one electromagnetic field is placed in front of the solid target surface being ablated. The electromagnetic field manipulates at least a portion of the nanoparticles as they move away from the target surface through the electromagnetic field to increase size and spherical shape uniformity of the nanoparticles. The manipulated nanoparticles are collected.