Abstract: A nanofibrous mat comprising: electrospun nanofibres forming said mat; and ceramic particles dispersed throughout said nanofibres and comprising a ceramic matrix and a dopant releasably encapsulated within said ceramic matrix, wherein the ceramic particles are dispersed throughout the nanofibres during electrospinning of the nanofibres, whereby said dopant is protected by said ceramic matrix during said electrospinning.

Abstract: A nanofibrous mat comprising: electrospun nanofibres forming said mat; and ceramic particles dispersed throughout said nanofibres and comprising a ceramic matrix and a dopant releasably encapsulated within said ceramic matrix, wherein the ceramic particles are dispersed throughout the nanofibres during electrospinning of the nanofibres, whereby said dopant is protected by said ceramic matrix during said electrospinning.

Abstract: A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprises combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.

Abstract: Coated particles include a core particle and a hybrid inorganic/organic layer coating the core particle. The hybrid inorganic/organic layer comprises a network of an inorganic component and at least one organofunctional silane component having organic functionalities which have not been polymerised. A method of coating particles comprising combining the particles with a surfactant and a hydrophilic liquid to form an emulsion with a hydrophobic phase containing the particles dispersed in a continuous hydrophilic phase, adding an organofunctional silane and an inorganic component precursor to the emulsion and heating the emulsion, adding a catalyst to the emulsion, and forming a hybrid organic/inorganic layer from the organofunctional silane and the inorganic component precursor on the particles to produce coated particles.

Abstract: A metallic pigment is provided including a metallic substrate coated with a hybrid inorganic/organic layer, wherein the hybrid inorganic/organic layer includes a network of an inorganic component and at least one organofunctional silane component having organic functionalities which have not been polymerised. Also, a method of coating a metallic substrate is provided including: combining the metallic substrate with a surfactant and an organofunctional silane and an inorganic component precursor to form a hydrophobic phase; combining the hydrophobic phase with a hydrophilic liquid to form an emulsion including said hydrophobic phase containing the metallic substrate, the organofunctional silane and the inorganic component precursor dispersed in a continuous hydrophilic phase; adding a catalyst to the emulsion; and forming a hybrid organic/inorganic layer from the organofunctional silane and said inorganic component precursor on the metallic substrate to produce a coated metallic substrate.

Abstract: A process for preparing particles having a hydrophobic material therein is disclosed. The process comprises providing a multiple emulsion comprising a first emulsion dispersed in a hydrophobic medium, said first emulsion comprising a hydrophobic phase dispersed in a hydrophilic phase, wherein the hydrophobic phase comprises the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic phase comprises a precursor which is capable of reacting to form a non-fluid matrix and reacting the precursor in the multiple emulsion to form the matrix in the form of the particles having the hydrophobic material therein wherein the precursor is added prior to formation of the multiple emulsion. Also disclosed are particles having a hydrophobic material therein, which may be releasable, as well as particles having a hydrophobic material therein, which may be releasable, made by the process and methods of using the particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for forming a layered nanoparticle, comprising providing a suspension comprising a core particle in a first liquid, adding a second liquid to the suspension, and adding a reagent, or a precursor for the reagent, to the suspension. The second liquid is immiscible with the first liquid. If the reagent is added to the suspension, the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle. If a precursor for the reagent is added to the suspension, the precursor is converted to the reagent, and the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a species to a liquid, whereby porous particles are exposed to a condition such that the species is rapidly released into the liquid. Each of the porous particles comprises an agglomeration of primary particles so that outer surfaces of said primary particles define pores of said porous particles. The primary particles comprise silica and the species is disposed in the pores of the porous particles.

Abstract: A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.

Abstract: A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprises combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.

Abstract: A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.

Abstract: A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprise combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for forming a layered nanoparticle, comprising providing a suspension comprising a core particle in a first liquid, adding a second liquid to the suspension, and adding a reagent, or a precursor for the reagent, to the suspension. The second liquid is immiscible with the first liquid. If the reagent is added to the suspension, the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle. If a precursor for the reagent is added to the suspension, the precursor is converted to the reagent, and the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle.

Abstract: A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.

Abstract: A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.

Abstract: A process for forming a layered nanoparticle includes providing a suspension including a core particle in a first liquid, adding a second liquid to the suspension, and adding a reagent or a precursor for the reagent, to the suspension. The second liquid is immiscible with the first liquid. If the reagent is added to the suspension, the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle. If a precursor for the reagent is added to the suspension, the precursor is converted to the reagent, and the reagent reacts to form a layer on the core particle to form the layered nanoparticle.

Abstract: A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.

Abstract: A particulate substance comprising particles of a ceramic matrix bearing a functional group, the functional group being capable of promoting penetration of the particles into cells, and a biomolecule disposed within pores of the particles, the biomolecule being releasable from the particles by dissolution of the ceramic matrix.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a species to a liquid, whereby porous particles are exposed to a condition such that the species is rapidly released into the liquid. Each of the porous particles comprises an agglomeration of primary particles so that outer surfaces of said primary particles define pores of said porous particles. The primary particles comprise silica and the species is disposed in the pores of the porous particles.

Abstract: A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprise combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.