Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing at least one nano-structured material of formula M1M2Xn comprising the step of treating: at least one compound having the formula [CX3(CX2)n(CH2)mCOO]pM1; and at least one compound having the formula [CX3(CX2)n(CH2)mCOO]pM2; wherein each X is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of: halogens, O, S, Se, Te, N, P and As; each n is the same or different and is 0?n?10; each m is the same or different and is 0?m?10; each p is the same or different and is 1?p?5; each M1 is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra and NH4; each M2 is the same or different and is a metal ion. The present invention also provides uses of the nano-structured material prepared according to the method of the present invention.

Abstract: It is provided a Near Infrared Sensitive (NIR-sensitive) nanoparticle complex comprising a NIR-sensitive nanoparticle and surfactant(s) adsorbed on the nanoparticle, wherein the surfactant is at least one surfactant selected from: wherein X=1-9; Y=0-9; n=0-9; Z=1-9; W=0-9; m=0-9; each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, if present, is H, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 aryl, HS, COOH, NH2 or OH; R5 is COOH, NH2 or OH; with the proviso that n+m is <10; (b) an amino acid having the structure in (a), wherein X=1; Y=2; Z=1; W=1; R1, R2 and R4 are not present; R3 is NH2; and R5 is COOH; or (c) a peptide, wherein the peptide comprise at least one amino acid (b). Further, it is provided a NIR-sensitive nanoparticle complex(es) having biomolecule(s), for example drug(s), loaded on the surfactant(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing at least one nano-structured material of formula M1M2Xn comprising the step of treating: at least one compound having the formula [CX3(CX2)n(CH2)mCOO]pM1; and at least one compound having the formula [CX3(CX2)n(CH2)mCOO]pM2; wherein each X is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of: halogens, O, S, Se, Te, N, P and As; each n is the same or different and is 0?n?10; each m is the same or different and is 0?m?10; each p is the same or different and is 1?p?5; each M1 is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra and NH4; each M2 is the same or different and is a metal ion. The present invention also provides uses of the nano-structured material prepared according to the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Thin films or coatings having a thickness of about 100 nanometers or larger are made of nanostructured particles which have a particle size less than 100 nm (i.e. 0.1 micron) by thermally spraying a solution of a liquid coating precursor feedstock onto a substrate to form the film or coating. By thermal spraying with different precursor feedstock solutions, coatings can be made with more than one layer. Also, by varying the composition of the precursor feedstock during spraying, a fine composition gradient coating can be formed which is made up of the same small nanoparticle size particles of less than, 100 nm. Many combinations of materials can be co-deposited and by applying an external energy source either during the coating process or during post deposition, the resulting coating can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyol method for making composite particles of two or more immiscible transition metals, where these particles are of nanoscale dimensions, and where the constituent metals are of essentially nanocrystalline morphology. The method of the invention has the steps of (1) dissolving or suspending two or more precursor metal compounds in an alcohol or polyol (diol, triol, etc.) solution, and (2) taking the solution or suspension to a temperature where the metal compound reduces, causing the first and second metals to form nanoscale composites. The term “polyol solution” will be used herein to describe solutions that contain either alcohol or polyol.

Abstract: Thin films or coatings having a thickness of about 100 nanometers or larger are made of nanostructured particles which have a particle size less than 100 nm (i.e. 0.1 micron) by thermally spraying a solution of a liquid coating precursor feedstock onto a substrate to form the film or coating. By thermal spraying with different precursor feedstock solutions, coatings can be made with more than one layer. Also, by varying the composition of the precursor feedstock during spraying, a fine composition gradient coating can be formed which is made up of the same small nanoparticle size particles of less than 100 nm. Many combinations of materials can be co-deposited and by applying an external energy source either during the coating process or during post deposition, the resulting coating can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles having an average diameter of about 1-100 nm and the process for making the same. Additionally, the powder of unagglomerated metallic particles can be formed into a lyophilized form which upon reconstitution maintains the average diameter of between about 1-100 nm wherein the particles remain unagglomerated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles having an average diameter of about 1-100 nm and the process for making the same. Additionally, the powder of unagglomerated metallic particles can be formed into a lyophilized form which upon reconstitution maintains the average diameter of between about 1-100 nm wherein the particles remain unagglomerated.

Abstract: Near net-shapeable nanostructured ceramic nitride powder and a process for producing the same by nitriding molecular precursor powder in a nitrogen containing atmosphere, e.g., in ammonia, to form nanostructured ceramic nitride powder.

Abstract: Nanostructured metal powders and films are made by dissolving or wetting a metal precursor in an alcoholic solvent. The resulting mixture is then heated to reduce the metal precursor to a metal precipitate. The precipitated metal may be isolated, for example, by filtration.

Abstract: Nanoparticle metal powder having a controllable and narrow size distribution are by electrolessly plating a metal on the interior of a vesicle made of at least one polymerized phospholipid. Electroless plating may be accomplished by catalytic reduction of the metal ion or u.v. reduction of the metal ion.

Abstract: A method of forming a phase-separated composite material which utilizes sputtering in a thermal gradient at relatively high sputtering pressures generally above about 0.1 Torr sufficient to produce nanoscale particles which are embedded in a continuous phase matrix produced by normal sputtering. This method avoids the alloying and/or compound formation which prevents preparation of phase-separated composites by conventional co-sputtering, and the invention thus enables particulate composites to be formed from entirely new classes of materials. Microhardness testing shows that the phase-separated composites produced by the present invention have an increased hardness compared to the pure matrix material.

Abstract: A novel method is presented for synthesizing ultrafine fiber composite materials by laser induced coevaporation of a metallic target and a ceramic target in the presence of a heated tungsten filament, within a reducing environment. The species produced by rapid condensation from the resultant laser plume, along with the products derived from the chemical transport reactions involving the heated filament, form layers of composite material comprising a metal matrix and a random weave fiber network. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, composite layers are formed on a nickel alloy substrate surface at a rate of about 1 micron per second. The matrix of the composite films is either aluminum or tungsten and the dispersed phase is amorphous silica fibers. The diameter of the fibers are between 25 and 120 nm depending on the laser beam materials interaction time.