Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a particle layer are provided. The layering method includes injecting particles in an injection zone defined at a gas-liquid interface between a carrier liquid and an ambient gas, and controlling a flow of the carrier liquid along the gas-liquid interface to carry the particles downstream along a particle flow path from the injection zone to a layer formation zone. The method also includes accumulating the particles in the layer formation zone to gradually form the particle layer on the gas-liquid interface, and withdrawing the particle layer from the layer formation zone. The particle layer formed by the layering method and apparatus can be used to fabricate a three-dimensional object by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A system for delivering fertilizer to the roots of a plant includes coated fertilizer particles. The coating can include a cellulose derivative, optionally a fatty acid, and a component, such as an aptamer, which binds specifically to a material, such as serine, which is released by the roots of the plant when the plant is actively taking up nutrients from the soil. The permeability of the coating increases when the coated particles are exposed to the material released by the roots of the plant. Thus, nutrient release from the coated fertilizer particles is synchronized with uptake of the nutrients by the plant during active growth. Advantages of the system may include one or more of improved nitrogen use efficiency by the plant, improved crop productivity, and/or reduced leaching of fertilizer from the soil.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a particle layer are provided. The layering method includes injecting particles in an injection zone defined at a gas-liquid interface between a carrier liquid and an ambient gas, and controlling a flow of the carrier liquid along the gas-liquid interface to carry the particles downstream along a particle flow path from the injection zone to a layer formation zone. The method also includes accumulating the particles in the layer formation zone to gradually form the particle layer on the gas-liquid interface, and withdrawing the particle layer from the layer formation zone. The particle layer formed by the layering method and apparatus can be used to fabricate a three-dimensional object by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus, a process and a cartridge for producing and transferring a thin film to a substrate withdrawing the thin film. The apparatus includes the substrate, a transfer lip, a gap defined between the substrate and the transfer lip and a liquid film supported on the transfer lip and carrying a thin film in a direction towards and into the gap, the liquid of the liquid film forming a capillary bridge spanning the length of the gap and supporting the thin film over the gap onto the substrate. The process includes the steps of supplying the liquid film, positioning the transfer lip and substrate, supporting the liquid film towards and into the gap, forming the capillary bridge and withdrawing the thin film. The modular cartridge is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a thin film or thin layer of discrete particles or of a heterogeneous mixture characterized in that the interfacial tension forces between the solution or suspension and its environment are used as the driving forces to evenly spread the solution, suspension or mixture while the solvent evaporates and/or dilutes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle growing mat (30), a method of manufacturing the mat, and a method for the continuous production of organized nanotubes using the mat. The mat (30) comprising a substrate including carbon, on which is deposited in a predetermined pattern of nanosized catalytic particles whose pattern produces nanotubes in a highly ordered form. The mat (30) is activated in the presence of a carrier gas, by passing current through the mat (30) which raises the temperature to the level where, nanotubes are: formed; gathered; withdrawn as nanotube bundles (42); and collected.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a thin film or thin layer of discrete particles or of a heterogeneous mixture characterized in that the interfacial tension forces between the solution or suspension and its environment are used as the driving forces to evenly spread the solution, suspension or mixture while the solvent evaporates and/or dilutes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle growing mat (30), a method of manufacturing the mat, and a method for the continuous production of organized nanotubes using the mat. The mat (30) comprising a substrate including carbon, on which is deposited in a predetermined pattern of nanosized catalytic particles whose pattern produces nanotubes in a highly ordered form. The mat (30) is activated in the presence of a carrier gas, by passing current through the mat (30) which raises the temperature to the level where, nanotubes are: formed; gathered; withdrawn as nanotube bundles (42); and collected.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.