Abstract: A method of forming a powder and/or discrete gel particles of a compound selected from the group of a metallic oxide, a metalloid oxide, a mixed oxide, an organometallic oxide, an organometalloid oxide, an organomixed oxide resin, and/or an organic resin from one or more respective organometallic precursor(s), organometalloid precursor(s) and/or organic precursors and mixtures thereof, comprising the steps of passing a gas into a means for forming excited and/or unstable gas species (1a), typically an atmospheric plasma generating means; treating said gas such that upon leaving said means the gas comprises excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electrical charges at a temperature of between 10° C. and 500° C. A gaseous and/or liquid precursor is then introduced (50a,50b) into said excited and unstable gas species in a downstream region external (20) to the means for forming excited and/or unstable gas.

Abstract: The invention provides composite components, structures and method for producing composite components A composite component has a negative effective Poisson's ratio and comprises a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component extend longitudinally relative to an axis, the first component being provided around the second component through one or more turns which are spaced longitudinally relative to the axis. A variation in the tensile load on the first component causes the radial position of the second component relative to the axis to vary.

Abstract: A silane or siloxane containing at least one organic group is prepared by a hydrosilylation reaction between a silane or siloxane (A) containing at least one Si—H group and an allyl compound (B) in the presence of a noble metal catalyst. The silane or siloxane (A) and the allyl compound (B) are fed continuously through a reaction zone which is maintained at a temperature in the range 115-200° C. and which is provided with heat exchanger means to dissipate the heat from the exothermic hydrosilylation reaction. The residence time of (A) and (B) in the reaction zone is less than 20 minutes.