Abstract: An apparatus or method for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a source of foamable liquid and pressurised gas arranged to feed into the inlet, wherein the channel is comprised of a spatially oscillating flow channel to provide an oscillating flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel oscillating about a bulk flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel providing a sequence of planar cross-sections perpendicular to the flow direction, with a sub-sequence of planar cross-sections that are perpendicular to the bulk flow direction in the plane in question, the sub-sequence comprising at least one plane that does not overlap with at least one other plane in the sub-sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus or method for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a source of foamable liquid and pressurised gas arranged to feed into the inlet, wherein the channel is comprised of a spatially oscillating flow channel to provide an oscillating flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel oscillating about a bulk flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel providing a sequence of planar cross-sections perpendicular to the flow direction, with a sub-sequence of planar cross-sections that are perpendicular to the bulk flow direction in the plane in question, the sub-sequence comprising at least one plane that does not overlap with at least one other plane in the sub-sequence.

Abstract: Devices and systems for delivering an agent to the skin of a subject comprise an anhydrous agent (e.g. a pharmaceutical agent or a cosmetic agent), and an anhydrous heating component and a reservoir containing a solvent. When in use solvent released from the reservoir hydrates the anhydrous agent to produce a solution and hydrates the anhydrous heating component which reacts exothermically thereby heating the solution. The devices and systems enable the transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for entraining a powder in a process fluid is provided. The apparatus (2?) has a process passage (22) having a passage inlet (24) connectable to a source of process fluid, and a passage outlet (26). A nozzle (30) opens into the process passage (22) intermediate the passage inlet (24) and passage outlet (26). The nozzle (30) has a nozzle inlet (32), a nozzle outlet (36) and a nozzle throat (34) intermediate the nozzle inlet (32) and nozzle outlet (36), where the nozzle throat (34) has a cross sectional area which is less than that of the nozzle inlet (32) and nozzle outlet (36). At least one first port (42?) opens into the process passage (22) adjacent the nozzle outlet (36), and an entrainment fluid supply chamber (38) is in fluid communication with the nozzle 30. A first powder supply chamber (44?) is connected to the first port (42?) by a first powder supply passage (46), wherein the powder supply chamber (44?), powder supply passage (46) and first port (42?) are coaxial.

Abstract: A method of entraining a second fluid in a first fluid is provided. The method comprises supplying a first fluid to a processing passage (4) having an inlet (6) and an outlet (8), and supplying an entrainment fluid to a nozzle (10) which opens into the processing passage (4) intermediate the passage inlet (6) and the passage outlet (8). A second fluid which will undergo a change of phase and/or state when added to the first fluid is also provided, and supplied to a first port (22) opening into the processing passage (4) adjacent the nozzle (10). The entrainment fluid is injected from the nozzle (10) into the processing passage (4) so as to form a dispersed phase of the first and second fluids in a continuous vapor phase, and the vapor phase is condensed downstream of the nozzle (10). A device suitable for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of entraining a second fluid in a first fluid is provided. The method comprises supplying a first fluid to a processing passage (4) having an inlet (6) and an outlet (8), and supplying an entrainment fluid to a nozzle (10) which opens into the processing passage (4) intermediate the passage inlet (6) and the passage outlet (8). A second fluid which will undergo a change of phase and/or state when added to the first fluid is also provided, and supplied to a first port (22) opening into the processing passage (4) adjacent the nozzle (10). The entrainment fluid is injected from the nozzle (10) into the processing passage (4) so as to form a dispersed phase of the first and second fluids in a continuous vapour phase, and the vapour phase is condensed downstream of the nozzle (10). A device suitable for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A process of producing a highly hydrated hyper-swollen gelatinised starch is described and comprises: combining a starch-containing product with a working fluid (e.g. water) to form a mixture; inducing the mixture to flow through an inlet into a passage; and injecting a high velocity (e.g. supersonic) transport fluid into the mixture through a nozzle communicating with the passage; wherein the injection of the high velocity transport fluid: applies a shear force to the mixture such that the mixture is atomised and forms a vapour and droplet flow regime; forms an at least partial vacuum within the passage downstream of the nozzle; and generates a condensation shock wave within the passage downstream of the nozzle and vacuum by condensation of the transport fluid to produce a hyper-swollen hydrated gelatinised starch.