Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of core-shell nanoparticles, comprising a core of a core material, preferably of a semiconductor material, and a shell of a shell material, preferably of a semiconductor material, wherein selected starting materials for the shell material are mixed with a dispersion of nanoparticles of the core material and are passed continuously through a reaction zone of a tubular reactor, and other starting materials for the shell material are fed to the reaction zone of the tubular reactor at two or more locations, preferably via a tubular membrane, and the starting materials for the shell material react in the reaction zone to form a shell around the nanoparticles of the core material. The invention also relates to the tubular reactor with the membrane and its use for the continuous synthesis of core-shell nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method (200) for the manufacture of nanoparticles. The apparatus and the method allows for the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles at independent temperatures. The independent temperatures allow for the growth of nanoparticles in a controlled environment avoiding spontaneous nucleation and allowing particle sizes to be controlled and facilitating the manufacture of particles of a substantially uniform size. Furthermore the apparatus (10) allows for the manufacture of core-shell nanoparticles and core-shell-shell nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a III-V compound in the form of nanoparticles, such as those used in semi-conductors. The reaction proceeds at atmospheric pressure in a reaction solution by the reaction of a III compound source and a V compound source. The reaction proceeds in solvent of high boiling point. The solvent contains a stabilizer and a base. The manufactured III-V compound is precipitated from the reaction solution, isolated, purified and analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of in vivo determination of enzyme activity. It also allows visualization of organisms, organs, tissues and cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method of in vivo visualization and a composition suitable for in vivo determination and/or visualization of enzyme activity by methods such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also called Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRI or MRT), or Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). In particular, the activity of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase affects the signals received and allows conclusions on the lipid metabolism of an organism, an organ system, an organ, a tissue and a cell of interest, This method can be employed, e.g., for diagnosis of cardiac disorders, of tumor prognosis and of disorders of the lipid metabolism. The composition used comprises superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (SPIO) incorporated in the core of lipid micelles designated nanosomes.

Abstract: The field of the present invention relates to the stabilisation of nanoparticles in aqueous dispersion and, in particular, the stabilisation of nanoparticles by encapsulating the nanoparticles in a micellular combination. The field of the present invention further relates to a micellular combination of nanoparticles and a method of manufacture of the micellular combination and uses thereof. In a first aspect the present disclosure teaches a micellular combination that allows the stable dispersion of nanoparticles into aqueous environment. The micellular combination comprises at least one nanoparticle in a core of the micellular combination. A plurality of surfactants is co-assembled with a plurality of hydrophobic ligands on the surface of the nanoparticle in such a way that the hydrophilic part of the surfactant forms a hydrophilic shell around the core of the micellular combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of nanoparticulate metal(III) vanadates or vanadate/phosophate mixed crystals, comprising the reaction in a reaction medium of a reactive vanadate source and optionally a phosphate source dissolvable or dispersible in the reaction medium and of a reactive metal(III) salt dissolvable or dispersible in the reaction medium under heating, wherein the reaction medium contains water and a polyol in a volume ratio of 20/80 to 90/10, and the particles thereby obtained. The synthesis provides a high yield of metal(III) vanadate or vanadate/phosphate having a narrow particle size distribution. Doped embodiments thereof are distinguished by excellent luminescence properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of nanoparticles, in particular paramagnetic nanoparticles, and their use as contrast enhancers for NMR-based methods of examination. A significant increase in contrast (e.g. from 100 to 200%) takes place according to the invention. An aqueous or organic synthesis leads to small nanoparticles which have a narrow size distribution and can also be advantageously used for many other industrial applications.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method (200) for the manufacture of nanoparticles. The apparatus and the method allows for the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles at independent temperatures. The independent temperatures allow for the growth of nanoparticles in a controlled environment avoiding spontaneous nucleation and allowing particle sizes to be controlled and facilitating the manufacture of particles of a substantially uniform size. Furthermore the apparatus (10) allows for the manufacture of core-shell nanoparticles and core-shell-shell nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a III-V compound in the form of nanoparticles, such as those used in semi-conductors. The reaction proceeds at atmospheric pressure in a reaction solution by the reaction of a III compound source and a V compound source. The reaction proceeds in solvent of high boiling point. The solvent contains a stabiliser and a base. The manufactured III-V compound is precipitated from the reaction solution, isolated, purified and analysed.

Abstract: The combination of at least one substantially unfunctionalised carbon surface, such as a fullerene, graphite or amorphous carbon, graphene or pre-aligned carbon nanotubes and at least semi-conducting nanoparticle, for example CdSe, CdTe, CdS, InP and/or ZnO or a metallic alloy nanoparticle is described wherein the at least one nanoparticle is directly attached to the substantially unfunctionalised carbon surface. A method for the manufacture of the nanoparticles is also described. This method comprises: —dissolving a cation source in a first organic solvent to produce a cation-containing medium; —adding a plurality of substantially unfunctionalised carbon surfaces to the cation-containing medium to form a cation-carbon mixture; —adding an anion-containing medium to the mixture of the cation-containing medium and carbon surfaces to form a cation-carbon-anion mixture, In the case of alloy nanoparticles, another cation medium is added instead.

Abstract: Luminescent inorganic nanoparticles comprising: (a) a core made from a first metal salt or oxide being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a second metal salt or oxide being luminescent and having non-semiconductor properties. These nanoparticles can be advantageously used in (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer ((F)RET)-based bioassays in view of their higher (F)RET efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing method according to which, during the printing process, one or more narrow nozzles eject a printing liquid, and to a printing liquid suitable for such a method. The invention is particularly suitable for forgery-proof printing on papers or articles. According to the invention, the printing liquid contains nanoparticles that can be induced to fluoresce or phosphoresce. Said nanoparticles are small crystalline particles that can be induced to fluoresce or phosphoresce on their own or when mixed with dopants. Individual dots (10, 12) can be printed by means of a printing liquid that contains said nanoparticles. Due to their small size of from 1 to 1000 nanometers, preferably in the range of 300 nanometers or even much smaller depending on nozzle diameter, there is no risk of very narrow ink jet nozzles getting plugged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Luminescent nanoparticles comprising (a) a core made from a luminescent metal salt selected from phosphates, sulfates or fluorides, being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a metal salt or oxide capable of preventing or reducing energy transfer from the core after its electronic excitation to the surface of the nanoparticle, e.g. a shell made from a non-luminescent metal salt or oxide, which are characterized by higher quantum yields and can be used in various fields including light generation and security marking.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of optionally doped nanoparticulate metal sulfate wherein the metal is selected from polyvalent metals or monovalent transition metals, said process comprising the step of heating a reaction mixture comprising a) a polar organic solvent comprising at least two hydroxy groups or a polar organic solvent comprising at least one sulfoxide group, b) a source of a polyvalent metal or monovalent transition metal, a sulfate source, and optionally a dopant metal source, and c) a base selected from i) bases having an aromatic N-containing heterocycle with the exception of imidazole, ii) bases having an aliphatic N-containing heterocycle, iii) aliphatic hydroxy-substituted amines, iv) aliphatic polyamines, v) aromatic amines, vi) ammonia and ammonia-releasing compounds, and vii) metal hydroxides. The invention is also directed to the resulting metal sulfate nanoparticles.