Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antimicrobial coating on a surface, a method for preparing and uses of the same. In particular it relates to a process for preparing an antimicrobial coating on a surface, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a surface; b) coating a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide on the surface in the presence of a solvent in a hydrothermal synthesis step to form a coated surface having a plurality of nanostructures; c) optionally drying the coated surface, wherein said nanostructure is preferably in nanopillar structure. The coating of the present application exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against different types of microorganism, such as bacteria and yeast. The nanostructures are able to exert stress to the microorganism, and therefore controlling or killing them.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antimicrobial coating on a surface, a method for preparing and uses of the same. In particular it relates to a process for preparing an antimicrobial coating on a surface, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a surface; b) coating a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide on the surface in the presence of a solvent in a hydrothermal synthesis step to form a coated surface having a plurality of nanostructures; c) optionally drying the coated surface, wherein said nanostructure is preferably in nanopillar structure. The coating of the present application exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against different types of microorganism, such as bacteria and yeast. The nanostructures are able to exert stress to the microorganism, and therefore controlling or killing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate comprising a plurality of integrally formed surface features, said surface features being micro-sized and/or nano-sized, said surface features comprising at least one pointed terminus. As a result of this unique surface, said substrate exhibits a biocidal activity because the terminal ends of said surface feature pierce through cell membrane of any microbial cell that comes into contact with the substrate, thereby causing cell deformation and lysis. The present invention also relates to a method producing said substrate. By a simple treatment of copper or zinc foil with a reagent solution comprising an alkali and an oxidizing agent, Cu(OH)2 nanotube arrays, CuO nano-blades and ZnO nano-needles are prepared. These surfaces are proven to be very effective in killing bacterial (such as E. coli) via a physical interaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing an optionally substituted furoic acid by dehydrating a biomass and oxidizing the optionally substituted furan derived from the dehydration reaction. Water extraction has been incorporated as a step between the dehydration and the oxidation in order to purify the intermediate optionally substituted furan before having it oxidized. Prior to this water extraction, the organic solvent used for dehydration may be separated by evaporation. The provision of the water extraction allows impurities to be separated from the intermediate optionally substituted furan.

Abstract: There is provided a one-pot process for the conversion of sugars to furancarboxylic acids, such as 2,5-furancarboxylic acid (FDCA), in a triphasic system (e.g. water or tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB)—methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)—water). In this reaction setup, sugars are first converted to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a first phase. Then HMF is then extracted into a second phase and transferred to a third phase of water. In the third phase HMF is converted to the furancarboxylic acid. The overall acid yields obtainable are between about 78% and 50% for conversion from fructose and glucose, respectively. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the triphasic reaction. The apparatus comprises two chambers which allow for the chemically separated reaction of the sugars and the intermediate of the sugars to form the final product in one process. The process according to the invention may be useful for industrial fabrication.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a sugar alcohol comprising the step of hydrolyzing a polysaccharide in the presence of hydrogen ions (H+), an alcoholic reducing agent and a hydrogen transfer catalyst to form the sugar alcohol.

Abstract: This invention provides nanometer-sized fluorescent magnetic particles and processes of making them. The nanoparticle has a core particle comprising a magnetic material and a fluorescent material, and the particle size is less than about 1 micrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with an inorganic or organic layer and can be surface-modified. The nanoparticles can be used in many biological assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing an optionally substituted furoic acid by dehydrating a biomass and oxidizing the optionally substituted furan derived from the dehydration reaction. Water extraction has been incorporated as a step between the dehydration and the oxidation in order to purify the intermediate optionally substituted furan before having it oxidized. Prior to this water extraction, the organic solvent used for dehydration may be separated by evaporation. The provision of the water extraction allows impurities to be separated from the intermediate optionally substituted furan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer comprising an aliphatic backbone having a plurality of aromatic rings bonded thereon, said plurality of aromatic rings comprising a first aromatic ring type that has an alkyl halide group substitution on the aromatic ring and a second aromatic ring type that has an optionally substituted ammonium halide group substitution on the aromatic ring. The present invention also provides a method for making an optionally substituted furan, the method comprising the step of subjecting a sugar to a dehydration reaction in the presence of a catalyst comprising said polymer.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a sugar alcohol comprising the step of hydrolyzing a polysaccharide in the presence of hydrogen ions (H+), an alcoholic reducing agent and a hydrogen transfer catalyst to form the sugar alcohol.

Abstract: This invention provides nanometer-sized fluorescent magnetic particles and processes of making them. The nanoparticle has a core particle comprising a magnetic material and a fluorescent material, and the particle size is less than about 1 micrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with an inorganic or organic layer and can be surface-modified. The nanoparticles can be used in many biological assays.

Abstract: This invention provides nanometer-sized fluorescent magnetic particles and processes of making them. The nanoparticle has a core particle comprising a magnetic material and a fluorescent material, and the particle size is less than about 1 micrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with an inorganic or organic layer and can be surface-modified. The nanoparticles can be used in many biological assays.

Abstract: Nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles and processes of making them are disclosed. In the process, an aqueous solution consisting of soluble salts of rare-earth metal ions at a molar ratio of (yttrium, lanthanum or gadolinium): ytterbium:(erbium, holmium, terbium or thulium)=(70-90):(0-29):(0.001-15) is mixed a rare-earth metal chelator and a soluble fluoride salt to form precipitates, which are then annealed at an elevated temperature to produce nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles. The particle size is between 35 nm and 200 nm, and can be controlled by the amount of the metal chelator added to the solution. The nanometer-sized particle is applicable to many biological assays.

Abstract: This invention provides nanometer-sized fluorescent magnetic particles and processes of making them. The nanoparticle has a core particle comprising a magnetic material and a fluorescent material, and the particle size is less than about 1 micrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with an inorganic or organic layer and can be surface-modified. The nanoparticles can be used in many biological assays.

Abstract: Nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles and processes of making them are disclosed. In the process, an aqueous solution consisting of soluble salts of rare-earth metal ions at a molar ratio of (yttrium, lanthanum or gadolinium): ytterbium:(erbium, holmium, terbium or thulium)=(70-90):(0-29):(0.001-15) is mixed a rare-earth metal chelator and a soluble fluoride salt to form precipitates, which are then annealed at an elevated temperature to produce nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles. The particle size is between 35 nm and 200 nm, and can be controlled by the amount of the metal chelator added to the solution. The nanometer-sized particle is applicable to many biological assays.