Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a silica-based particle or composite consisting of a silica-based material, an active, with or without a surface modification, and the related composition. The silica-based particle is illustrated by the formula (SiO2)x(OH)yRzSt, whereby R is an active or actives such as an organic or inorganic molecule that includes markers, amines, thiols, epoxies, organosilicones, organosilanes, and water soluble agents and, optionally, a surface modifier, S, which may be either organic, polymeric, or inorganic. Examples of a surface modifying material are inorganic salts of aluminum and boron or organic materials such as organosilanes or low molecular weight polymers. As such, the particle can be used in a variety of applications including any of a variety of high temperature, at acidic, neutral, or basic pH, or pressure environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a silica-based particle or composite consisting of a silica-based material, an active, with or without a surface modification, and the related composition. The silica-based particle is illustrated by the formula (SiO2)x(OH)yRzSt, whereby R is an active or actives such as an organic or inorganic molecule that includes markers, amines, thiols, epoxies, organosilicones, organosilanes, and water soluble agents and, optionally, a surface modifier, S, which may be either organic, polymeric, or inorganic. Examples of a surface modifying material are inorganic salts of aluminum and boron or organic materials such as organosilanes or low molecular weight polymers. As such, the particle can be used in a variety of applications including any of a variety of high temperature, at acidic, neutral, or basic pH, or pressure environments.

Abstract: Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors.

Abstract: A polycrystalline mesoscale component is provided that has an overall length L divided into multiple segments with a second segment extending from a first segment at a nonlinear angle. The first segment has a first segment height H1 and a first segment thickness T1, while the second segment has a second segment height H2 and a second segment thickness T1, with the lesser of H1 and H2 defining a minimum segment height Hmin and the lesser of T1 and T2 defining a minimum segment thickness Tmin. The resultant component has a ratio of L:Hmin:Tmin of 20-80:1:0.5-10 where Hmin is between 5 and 500 microns. In specific instances, the nonlinear angle is acute, the multiple segments are rectilinear in cross section, and a segment thickness has an edge resolution of between 0.1 and 2 microns. A process for forming a polycrystalline mesoscale component is provided that includes filling a mold cavity formed in a photoresist with a mold fill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing spectator ions and contaminants from aqueous suspensions of solid particles. In accordance with the method of the invention, the solid particles are transported across a phase boundary into a non-polar organic solvent, leaving the spectator ions and contaminants in the aqueous phase. To facilitate the efficient transportation of the solid particles across the phase boundary, the surface of the solid particles is coated with an amphiphilic polyelectrolyte. If desired, the solid particles can be recovered from the organic phase by evaporating the organic solvent.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material includes a nano size material that can be formed in a multi-layered core/shell structure and/or in a nanotabular (or platelet) form.

Abstract: Solid, shaped and fired fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9 are made by firing TiO2 fibers in a reducing atmosphere. In a first aspect, the TiO2 fibers are made by extruding into air a viscous TiO2 gel and heat treating the resulting green fibers to remove solvent, decompose and to volatilize undesired constituents to form electrically conductive, refractory fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9. In a second aspect, solid, shaped and fired fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9 are made by firing extruded fibers from mixtures of TiO2.

Abstract: A uniform suspension of ceramic powder and method for making the same. The suspension is prepared by mixing finely divided ceramic powder in an aqueous carrier fluid, combining with a dispersing agent, and alternatively, an organic binder when forming a slip. The ceramic powder has an average particle size of about 0.5 micron or less and is present in the suspension in a loading of up to 30% by volume of the total solids in suspension. A passivating agent is present in the carrier fluid in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by weight of the ceramic powder present for suspension and slip respectively. After the addition of a dispersant, the suspension has a Bingham yield point of less than 230 dynes/cm2 and an apparent viscosity of less than 3000 cps. A green layer produced from the slip exhibits a pore size of less than 0.5 micron.

Abstract: A uniform suspension of ceramic powder and method for making the same. The suspension is prepared by mixing finely divided ceramic powder in an aqueous carrier fluid, combining with a dispersing agent, and alternatively, an organic binder when forming a slip. The ceramic powder has an average particle size of about 0.5 micron or less and is present in the suspension in a loading of up to 30% by volume of the total solids in suspension. A passivating agent is present in the carrier fluid in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by weight of the ceramic powder present for suspension and slip respectively. After the addition of a dispersant, the suspension has a Bingham yield point of less than 230 dynes/cm2 and an apparent viscosity of less than 3000 cps. A green layer produced from the slip exhibits a pore size of less than 0.5 micron.

Abstract: Chemically aided milling of ceramic powders is disclosed. Carrier suspension, usually aqueous, of the ceramic powder may have added to it a dispersing agent and a passivating agent, followed by milling the aqueous suspension while continuously monitoring the pH, and as necessary, adding acid or a base to keep the pH within a desired range during milling. Real time monitoring allows milling with lower energy consumption, and enhances the desirable particle surfaces of the ceramic powder. The passivating agent can also be real time monitored and adjusted as necessary.

Abstract: A uniform suspension of ceramic powder and method for making the same. The suspension is prepared by mixing finely divided ceramic powder in an aqueous carrier fluid, combining with a dispersing agent, and alternatively, an organic binder when forming a slip. The ceramic powder has an average particle size of about 0.5 micron or less and is present in the suspension in a loading of up to 30% by volume of the total solids in suspension. A passivating agent is present in the carrier fluid in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by weight of the ceramic powder present for suspension and slip respectively. After the addition of a dispersant, the suspension has a Bingham yield point of less than 230 dynes/cm2 and an apparent viscosity of less than 3000 cps. A green layer produced from the slip exhibits a pore size of less than 0.5 micron.

Abstract: A method for creating a patterned thin film of a high surface energy material on a substrate comprising the steps of creating a photomask pattern on the substrate using photolithography, providing an oppositely charged surface on the substrate and photomask, if such does not exist, from that of particles of the high surface energy material, removing the photomask and exposing the substrate to an aqueous colloidal suspension of particles composed of the high surface energy material to adsorb seed particles onto the surface of the substrate, or removing the photomask after adsorbing seed particles to the surface, and then depositing a uniform thin film of the high surface energy material by chemical vapor deposition onto the seeded substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the scratch or surface wear resistance of substrates by embedding discrete, hard particles within the surface layer of the substrate. Discrete, hard particles are applied to the substrate surface and then embedded within and bonded to the surface layer of the substrate by softening the substrate surface layer by either thermal or solvent means. Suitable substrate materials include thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, polymers, glass, soft metals, and composites. Suitable hard particles include diamond, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, cubic boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, tungsten carbide, and zirconia alloys containing at least one phase stabilization additive selected from the group yttrium, hafnium, calcium, magnesium, and cesium. Scratch resistant substrates or articles having discrete, hard particles embedded within the surface layer of the substrate or article are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by two main methods of producing stabilized or partially stabilized zirconia powders with controlled particle size by use of complexing agents and hydrothermal treatment. A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by a combination of the first two methods to produce powders containing more than one major particle size. The invention also allows use of low cost readily available starting material, controlled doping level and incorporation of dual constituents such as MgO, CaO; Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO; or Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO in the structure for production of stabilized zirconia. Triply stabilized zirconia containing Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO and CaO may also be produced. A final embodiment of the invention allows the production of dually and triply stabilized zirconia by hydrothermal treatment without the use of complexing agents.