Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a magnetic nanoparticle-coated laminate material. The method comprises coating a pair of opposed surfaces of a plurality of steel or iron/cobalt (Fe/Co) alloy film portions with a magnetic nanoparticle-containing coating. Each magnetic nanoparticle comprises a core and a shell covering at least a portion of the core. The shell and core are made of different materials selected from one or more of: iron, cobalt, nickel; and/or alloys comprising two or more of: iron, cobalt and/or nickel; and/or magnetic rare earth metals; and/or diamagnetic transition metals. The method further comprises stacking the coated film portions on top of each other such that a or each coated surface of each film portion is located adjacent a further coated surface of an adjacent film portion; and compressing the stacked coated film portions together to form a nanoparticle-coated laminate material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a uniform, large scale nanoparticle coating on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a source of vaporised metal nanoparticles. The apparatus further comprises a first plate (20) providing an array of spaced apart first apertures (22). The apparatus further comprises a second plate (24) aligned with and spaced apart from the first plate (20). The second plate (24) provides an array of spaced apart second apertures 26. Each second aperture (26) of the second plate (24) is aligned with a first aperture (22) of the first plate (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, in which the contrast agent comprises: a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein each magnetic nanoparticle comprises a core covered at least in part with a layer of metal, wherein the core and the layer of metal are comprised of different materials; and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a magnetic nanoparticle-coated laminate material. The method comprises coating a pair of opposed surfaces of a plurality of steel or iron/cobalt (Fe/Co) alloy film portions with a magnetic nanoparticle-containing coating. Each magnetic nanoparticle comprises a core and a shell covering at least a portion of the core. The shell and core are made of different materials selected from one or more of: iron, cobalt, nickel; and/or alloys comprising two or more of: iron, cobalt and/or nickel; and/or magnetic rare earth metals; and/or diamagnetic transition metals. The method further comprises stacking the coated film portions on top of each other such that a or each coated surface of each film portion is located adjacent a further coated surface of an adjacent film portion; and compressing the stacked coated film portions together to form a nanoparticle-coated laminate material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a uniform, large scale nanoparticle coating on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a source of vaporised metal nanoparticles. The apparatus further comprises a first plate (20) providing an array of spaced apart first apertures (22). The apparatus further comprises a second plate (24) aligned with and spaced apart from the first plate (20). The second plate (24) provides an array of spaced apart second apertures 26. Each second aperture (26) of the second plate (24) is aligned with a first aperture (22) of the first plate (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of and apparatus for forming a magnetic structure on a substrate and a magnetic structure formed by such a process and apparatus. The magnetic structure comprises a matrix in which magnetic particles are embedded. The apparatus for forming the magnetic structure on the substrate comprises a source of matrix deposits the matrix material onto the substrate to form the matrix, and comprises a source of magnetic particles which deposit the magnetic particles onto the matrix as the matrix forms to embed the magnetic particles in the matrix. Each magnetic particle comprises a core covered with a layer of metal, at least one of the matrix material and the core is of ferromagnetic material and the core and the layer of metal are of different materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of and apparatus for forming a magnetic structure on a substrate (44) and also a magnetic structure formed by such a process and apparatus. The magnetic structure comprises a matrix in which magnetic particles are embedded. Apparatus (30) for forming the magnetic structure on the substrate (44) comprises a source of matrix material (32) which is operable to deposit the matrix material onto the substrate to thereby form the matrix. The apparatus (30) for forming the magnetic structure further comprises a source of magnetic particles (34) which is operable to deposit the magnetic particles onto the matrix as the matrix forms to thereby embed the magnetic particles in the matrix. Each magnetic particle comprises a core covered at least in part with a layer of metal, at least one of the matrix material and the core is of ferromagnetic material and the core and the layer of metal are of different materials.