Abstract: A method of coating an article includes the steps of providing a powder comprising coated particles; and spray coating the powder onto a surface of the article to form a composite coating. The spray coating may be carried out by combustion spraying, gas plasma spraying, including vacuum plasma spraying (VPS), and cold spraying. The article may be an implant for surgical or dental use. The powder may include particles of metal coated calcium phosphates, especially metal coated hydroxyapatite. The particles may include bioactive agents.

Abstract: A method of coating an article includes the steps of providing a powder comprising coated particles; and spray coating the powder onto a surface of the article to form a composite coating. The spray coating may be carried out by combustion spraying, gas plasma spraying, including vacuum plasma spraying (VPS), and cold spraying. The article may be an implant for surgical or dental use. The powder may include particles of metal coated calcium phosphates, especially metal coated hydroxyapatite. The particles may include bioactive agents.

Abstract: A method of coating an article includes the steps of providing a powder comprising coated particles; and spray coating the powder onto a surface of the article to form a composite coating. The spray coating may be carried out by combustion spraying, gas plasma spraying, including vacuum plasma spraying (VPS), and cold spraying. The article may be an implant for surgical or dental use. The powder may include particles of metal coated calcium phosphates, especially metal coated hydroxyapatite. The particles may include bioactive agents.

Abstract: A method of coating an article includes the steps of providing a powder comprising coated particles; and spray coating the powder onto a surface of the article to form a composite coating. The spray coating may be carried out by combustion spraying, gas plasma spraying, including vacuum plasma spraying (VPS), and cold spraying. The article may be an implant for surgical or dental use. The powder may include particles of metal coated calcium phosphates, especially metal coated hydroxyapatite. The particles may include bioactive agents.

Abstract: In a method of manipulating particles suspended in a liquid medium, a moving standing wave ultrasonic vibration and an electrical field capable of generating a dielectrophoretic force on the particles are applied. The ultrasonic vibration may be applied to move the particles from a first suspending liquid to a second suspending liquid, or to move the particles into proximity with electrodes to apply the dielectrophoretic force, or to move the particles into the center of the liquid medium. Alternatively, the ultrasonic vibration and the electrical field may be applied simultaneously.

Abstract: The behavior of particles is tested by placing a suspension of the particles in a chamber in which an electrode array is arranged to generate a spectrum of different frequency dielectrophoretic fields. The behavior of the particles at the different frequencies can be studied in a convenient and rapid manner. The apparatus and method can be used for a variety of purposes, including characterising the properties of specified particle types, or analysing the particle population in a fluid. It is also possible to expose the particles to different fluid parameters to extend the test spectrum in other senses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator, which is particularly useful for separating cellular matter. The separator utilizes the phenomenon known as dielectrophoresis (DEP).A DEP force effects a particle suspended in a medium. The particle experiences a force in an alternating electric field. The force is proportional to, amongst other things, the electrical properties of the supporting medium and the particle and the frequency of the electric field.The separator, of the present invention, comprises a chamber (10) and a plurality of electrodes (12) disposed in the chamber (10).An electric field established across electrodes subjects some of the particles to a stronger force than others such that they are confined within the chamber. Particles which are not confined are removed from the chamber by the supporting medium which is preferably urged through the chamber. Valves (101 and 202) are provided on exhausts of the chamber.The invention is able to separate two different particles continuously.