Abstract: New multifunctional synthetic nanoparticles are adapted for water treatment, with environmentally-functional layers, optional capping layers, and synthetic antiferromagnetic cores. With high surface-to-volume ratio, these nanoparticles are very efficient in water treatment, including but not restricted to water disinfection, photo-catalytic degradation, contaminant adsorption, etc., in the context of drinking water or waste water treatment. Meanwhile, their magnetic cores are highly magnetically responsive and can be separated by 99% within 10 min using simply a permanent magnet. Moreover, once some non-degradable chemicals (like perfluorinated compounds) are absorbed to the particle surface, these chemicals can be further degraded by introducing hyperthermia or eddy current heating. These particles can be redispersed after the external magnetic field is removed, and can therefore be used in a regenerative treatment process, substantially reducing the cost while eliminating contaminated byproducts.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-efflorescing cementitious mortar composition, free of reactive silica material, in the form of a dry-mortar composition or an aqueous mortar composition, comprising a) ordinary portland cement, b) calcium aluminate cement, c) calcium sulfate, and d) an aqueous polymer dispersion or a water-redispersible polymer powder of polymers based on one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters, (meth)acrylates, vinyl aromatics, olefins, 1,3-dienes and vinyl halides and, if required, further monomers copolymerizable therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement of nanomaterials which act as a substrate for a surface-enhanced Raman scattering. A method of Raman scattering and a method of manufacturing the substrate are also disclosed. The substrate comprises a plurality of nanostructures, for example nanowires, and metal nanoparticles are arranged on the surface of the nanostructures. The metal nanoparticles are of a material selected from the group comprising Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt or an alloy. This nano-on-nano arrangement increase the surface area and provides a significant increase in detection sensitivity. A substrate comprising a nanomaterial substrate form of a plurality of nanostructure of a noble metal and noble metal nanoparticles of a different material on the surface of said nanostructure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-efflorescing cementitious mortar composition, free of reactive silica material, in the form of a dry-mortar composition or an aqueous mortar composition, comprising a) ordinary portland cement, b) calcium aluminate cement, c) calcium sulfate, and d) an aqueous polymer dispersion or a water-redispersible polymer powder of polymers based on one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters, (meth)acrylates, vinyl aromatics, olefins, 1,3-dienes and vinyl halides and, if required, further monomers copolymerizable therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for at least partially sterilizing a liquid that has pathogens living in the liquid. The liquid comprising living pathogens is placed in a reaction volume, and a non-thermal plasma is generated within the reaction volume to thereby kill at least a portion of the pathogens within the liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for at least partially sterilizing a liquid that has pathogens living in the liquid. The liquid comprising living pathogens is placed in a reaction volume, and a non-thermal plasma is generated within the reaction volume to thereby kill at least a portion of the pathogens within the liquid.