Abstract: A dispersible nanoparticle (200) for use in anti-pathogenic applications is presented. The dispersible nanoparticle has a core (210) made of a metal or a metal alloy compound. The core (210) is coated with at least one of a carboxylic acid and a water soluble polymer (220). Also presented is a membrane coated with the dispersible nanoparticles and a corresponding method of coating the membrane. The membrane may be used is various products including a face mask and an air filter for use in an air conditioning unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of forming coated metal oxide particles, suspensions of such coated particles, particles comprising functionalized surface coatings and to fortification of food crops with coated metal oxide particles. Embodiments disclosed include a method of fortifying a food crop with a trace element, the method comprising growing the food crop in a growth medium comprising the trace element in the form of metal oxide particles coated with an organic compound, and a food crop fortified with a trace element in the form of metal oxide particles. Also disclosed is a method of forming coated particles, the method comprising: providing a first quantity of metal oxide particles; providing a second quantity of a coating material comprising an organic compound; and mechanically mixing the metal oxide particles with the coating material in a dry mixing process to provide a mixture comprising the metal oxide particles coated with the organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of forming coated metal oxide particles, suspensions of such coated particles, particles comprising functionalised surface coatings and to fortification of food crops with coated metal oxide particles. Embodiments disclosed include a method of fortifying a food crop with a trace element, the method comprising growing the food crop in a growth medium comprising the trace element in the form of metal oxide particles coated with an organic compound, and a food crop fortified with a trace element in the form of metal oxide particles. Also disclosed is a method of forming coated particles, the method comprising: providing a first quantity of metal oxide particles; providing a second quantity of a coating material comprising an organic compound; and mechanically mixing the metal oxide particles with the coating material in a dry mixing process to provide a mixture comprising the metal oxide particles coated with the organic compound.

Abstract: Methods of using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to detect the interaction of target substances with probes present at locations of a microarray are disclosed, and in particular methods of detecting the interaction of target substances present in fluids with an array comprising one or more probes present or locatable, e.g. in the case of a bead array, on a substrate at one or more locations. The methods are based on detecting the changes in the NMR signal arising from spin-carrying molecules present in a fluid in the vicinity of the probes that occur when target substances interact with probes in the array.