Abstract: A nucleic acid-delivery vehicle for delivering nucleic acids to target cells is provided. The nucleic acid-delivery vehicle comprises a plurality of nanoparticles; and a plurality of nucleic acids. The nanoparticles and the nucleic acids are agglomerated to form a nucleic acid-granulation particle having a dimension of at least 5 nm. Methods of making the nucleic acid-delivery vehicle and kits comprising nucleic acid-delivery vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article includes a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a spinel article, including calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article includes a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a spinel article, including calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article comprises a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a spinel article manufactured by a method comprising calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: A nucleic acid-delivery vehicle for delivering nucleic acids to target cells is provided. The nucleic acid-delivery vehicle comprises a plurality of nanoparticles; and a plurality of nucleic acids. The nanoparticles and the nucleic acids are agglomerated to form a nucleic acid-granulation particle having a dimension of at least 5 nm. Methods of making the nucleic acid-delivery vehicle and kits comprising nucleic acid-delivery vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid-delivery vehicle for delivering nucleic acids to target cells is provided. The nucleic acid-delivery vehicle comprises a plurality of nanoparticles; and a plurality of nucleic acids. The nanoparticles further comprises one or more signal peptides attached to the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles and the nucleic acids are agglomerated to form a nucleic acid-granulation particle having a dimension of at least 20 nm. Methods of making the nucleic acid-delivery vehicle and kits comprising nucleic acid-delivery vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: Articles transparent to infrared radiation and resistant to impact and wear are provided. The article comprises a substrate and a composite coating disposed over the substrate and extending from an interface with the substrate to an external surface. The composite coating comprises a first phase and a second phase. The second phase has a higher resistance to erosive wear than the first phase. The coating comprises a compositional gradient proceeding from a first composition at the interface of the coating with the substrate to a second composition at the external surface, the first composition comprising a higher concentration of the first phase than that of the second composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article comprises a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a spinel article manufactured by a method comprising calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: Articles transparent to infrared radiation and resistant to impact and wear are provided. In one embodiment the article comprises a substrate and a composite coating disposed over the substrate and extending from an interface with the substrate to an external surface. The coating and the substrate are capable of transmitting infrared radiation. The composite coating comprises a first phase and a second phase, where the second phase has a higher resistance to erosive wear than the first phase. The coating comprises a compositional gradient proceeding from a first composition at the interface of the coating with the substrate to a second composition at the external surface, the first composition comprising a higher concentration of the first phase than that of the second composition.