Abstract: With the coupling of an external field and aeration (or a flow of another gas), nanoparticles can be smoothly and vigorously fluidized. A magnetic force and/or pre-treatment may be employed with the fluidizing gas and, when coupled with a fluidizing medium, provide excellent means for achieving homogenous nanofluidization. The magnetic force interacts with non-fluidizing magnetic particles and helps to break channels as well as provide enough energy to disrupt the strong interparticle forces, thereby establishing an advantageous agglomerate size distribution. Enhanced fluidization is reflected by improved performance-related attributes. The fluidized nanoparticles may be coated, surface-treated and/or surface-modified in the fluidized state. In addition, the fluidized nanoparticles may participate in a reaction, either as a reactant or a catalyst, while in the fluidized state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for dry particle coating of cohesive powders, and to the dry coated particles/powders produced thereby. The present disclosure is further directed to systems and methods for dry coating of cohesive particles, particularly nanosized particles, to provide enhanced flowability and other advantageous physical and/or functional properties. The disclosed systems and methods offer downstream processing advantages, e.g., for purposes of subsequent fluidization, coating, granulation and/or other particle processing operations, and have applicability in wide ranging industries, including specifically paint-related applications, pharmaceutical applications, food-related applications, cosmetic applications, defense-related applications, electronics-related applications, toner and ink-related applications, and the like.

Abstract: With the coupling of an external field and aeration (or a flow of another gas), nanoparticles can be smoothly and vigorously fluidized. Multiple external fields and/or pre-treatment may be employed with the fluidizing gas: sieving, magnetic assistance, vibration, acoustic/sound or rotational/centrifugal forces. Any of these forces, either alone or in combination, when coupled with a fluidizing medium, provide excellent means for achieving homogenous nanofluidization. The additional force(s) help to break channels as well as provide enough energy to disrupt the strong interparticle forces, thereby establishing an advantageous agglomerate size distribution.

Abstract: Techniques and methods of formation of ordered mixtures of particles by “clustering”. Clustering comprises local “structuring” consisting of a large “host” and smaller “guest” particles by various techniques. Small amounts of polymer are coated onto solid particles by various means. In one embodiment, an ordered mixture is created wherein the material that is of lesser quantity is of small particle size (the “B” particles) and the “A” particles are of larger size. The “B” particles are then coated onto a single A particle. By creating this ordered structure, each composite particle has the proper or stoichiometric amount of all ingredients.

Abstract: Techniques and processes that combine particulate coating processes with particulate handling steps resulting in the formation of free-flowing particulates for introduction into energetic product vessels to affect an in-situ, net-shape manufactured product. The processes involve selecting suitably sized materials, processing such materials such that they are surface-coated and/or locally “structured” particulates, and pouring, preferably “dry” pouring, these processed materials into an energetic product vessel and infusing the filled vessel with a polymerizable and surface-compatible monomer or oligomer which flows into the unoccupied volume, followed by polymerization of the monomer, which then becomes the binder giving mechanical integrity to the final, net-shape energetic composition.

Abstract: Particle coating processes and systems employ UV curable materials to form tack-free surfaces rapidly. By applying UV curable compositions on well suspended particles a UV particle coating technology enables a scalable process of coating fine particles at desirable coating thicknesses with a wide spectrum of obtainable properties. Processes in accordance with the present invention decouple the particle suspension and film formation steps, enabling ample time to first deliver evenly the coating materials to the particle surfaces, followed by rapid polymerization/curing reaction induced by the UV light to rapidly create tack-free surfaces, thus preventing particles agglomeration while achieving uniform and thin-layer coating.

Abstract: A process, method and/or system for preparing polymer-coated nanoparticles and/or other ultrafine particles utilizing a supercritical fluid, e.g., supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2), as an antisolvent that may be added to a solution of a polymer and an organic solvent in which insoluble nanoparticles or the like are suspended. The coating process occurs when the supercritical fluid (e.g., SC CO2) and the nanoparticle-containing suspension are combined to cause the suspended nanoparticles to precipitate as coated nanoparticles. Processing parameters for optimizing and/or enhancing the efficacy and/or efficiency of the coating process, method and/or system and for controlling the coating and/or agglomeration of coated particles are also described. The process, method and/or system has wide ranging applicability, e.g., for coating and/or encapsulation of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food products, chemicals, agrochemicals, pesticides, polymers, coatings, catalysts and the like.