Abstract: A switching device is provided for switching the flow of a fluid. The switching device includes a fluid conduit including a first inlet for said fluid and a first outlet, a first switching fluid conduit including a second inlet for a switching fluid, the first switching fluid conduit being in fluid connection with the fluid conduit at a first position between the first inlet and the first outlet, an exhaust conduit including a second outlet, the exhaust conduit being in fluid connection with the fluid conduit at a second position between the first inlet and the first position, and a control device. The switching device further includes a second switching fluid conduit in fluid connection with the exhaust conduit and the first switching fluid conduit. The control device controls the flow of the switching fluid into the first switching fluid conduit and/or the second switching fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalyst membrane includes providing a membrane, generating an aerosol of catalyst nanoparticles by spark ablation, and directing the aerosol of catalyst nanoparticles towards a first side of the membrane such that the catalyst nanoparticles are deposited onto the membrane thereby forming the catalyst membrane. A catalyst membrane includes a membrane and catalyst nanoparticles attached directly to the membrane in a binder-free manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of materials. In particular the invention relates to nanostructured materials, and an apparatus and method for the production thereof. In accordance with the invention, nanostructured materials are produced by the subsequent steps of producing nanoparticles; transporting the nanoparticles into, and optionally through, a porous carrier by a gas flow; and depositing the nanoparticles onto the surface of said porous carrier in an essentially isotropic manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of materials. In particular the invention relates to nanostructured materials, and an apparatus and method for the production thereof. In accordance with the invention, nanostructured materials are produced by the subsequent steps of producing nanoparticles; transporting the nanoparticles into, and optionally through, a porous carrier by a gas flow; and depositing the nanoparticles onto the surface of said porous carrier in an essentially isotropic manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of materials. In particular the invention relates to nanostructured materials, and an apparatus and method for the production thereof. In accordance with the invention nanostructured materials are produced by the subsequent steps of producing nanoparticles; transporting the nanoparticles into, and optionally through, a porous carrier by a gas flow; and depositing the nanoparticles onto the surface of said porous carrier in an essentially isotropic manner.

Abstract: A spark ablation device for generating nanoparticles comprising a spark generator; the spark generator comprising first and second electrodes, wherein the spark generator further comprises at least one power source which is arranged to be operative at a first energy level for maintaining a discharge between the first and second electrodes, which power source is arranged for repetitively increasing the energy of the discharge to a predetermined secondary level that is higher than the first energy level for ablating a portion of the electrodes.