Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of small scale pumping and, more specifically, to a method and system for very small scale pumping media through microtubes. One preferred embodiment of the invention generally comprises: method for small scale pumping, comprising the following steps: providing one or more media; providing one or more microtubes, the one or more tubes having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of one or more tubes is in contact with the media; and creating surface waves on the tubes, wherein at least a portion of the media is pumped through the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a R—N2+ diazonium salt carrying an aromatic group R, for grafting of the aromatic group onto insulating, semiconductor, binary or ternary compound or composite material surfaces, the diazonium salt being present at a concentration close to its solubility limit, notably at a concentration higher than 0.05 M, and preferably varying between approximately 0.5 M to approximately 4 M.

Abstract: Fluid compositions that have enhanced thermal conductivity, up to 250% greater than their conventional analogues, and methods of preparation for these fluids are identified. The compositions contain at a minimum, a fluid media such as oil or water, and a selected effective amount of carbon nanomaterials necessary to enhance the thermal conductivity of the fluid. One of the preferred carbon nanomaterials is a high thermal conductivity graphite, exceeding that of the neat fluid to be dispersed therein in thermal conductivity, and ground, milled, or naturally prepared with mean particle size less than 500 nm, and preferably less than 200 nm, and most preferably less than 100 nm. The graphite is dispersed in the fluid by one or more of various methods, including ultrasonication, milling, and chemical dispersion. Carbon nanotube with graphitic structure is another preferred source of carbon nanomaterial, although other carbon nanomaterials are acceptable.

Abstract: A method for producing a suspension, emulsion or dispersion of de-agglomerated particles (advantageously submicron-sized particles) of pyrithione salts comprising contacting agglomerated pyrithione salt particles with a de-agglomerating agent to produce the desired de-agglomerated pyrithione salt particles. Also disclosed is a method for making de-agglomerated submicron-sized particles of pyrithione salts comprising a heating step. Also disclosed are the particles made by the above methods and compositions comprising the particles and a base medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for end and side derivatization of carbon nanotubes. Also facile methods to attach moieties and nanoparticles on the side walls and both ends are described. The invention provides hybide materials for analytical, and optoelectronic purposes as well as materials applications. Materials have improved properties in the areas of tensile, electrical and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Method and device to create energized polymers that can be used for pain relief, comprised of an ultrasound system that ultrasonically energize polymers that can then be used to provide an analgesic effect. Ultrasound waves are delivered to a polymer through direct contact, through a coupling medium, or without contact in order to energize the polymer. Other energies such as such as UV, microwave, laser, electricity, RF, sun, light, magnetic/electromagnetic, et can also be used to energize the polymer. The energized polymer can be immediately placed on a user to provide an analgesic effect, or the energized polymer can be placed storage material and removed at a later time to be placed on a user to provide an analgesic effect.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composite of zeolite-fiber substrate includes the steps of reacting a fiber substrate or a zeolite with a linking compound to form an intermediate of linking compound-fiber substrate or zeolite-linking compound, and preparing the composite of zeolite-linking compound-fiber substrate by linking the intermediate of linking compound-fiber substrate to the fiber substrate or linking the intermediate of zeolite-linking compound to the zeolite, in which the linking is induced by sonication.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to chemical reactions and processes, and in particular to a method for enhancing the rate of a chemical reaction and to apparatus for carrying out the method. The invention more particularly relates to methods and apparatus which utilize microwave and ultrasonic energy to enhance chemical reaction rates; and in specific instances, the invention relates to methods, processes and apparatus for the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. The methods, processes and apparatus of the invention are useful for the synthesis of biodiesel fuels; and also useful for production of reaction products of esterification and/or transesterification reactions including fatty acid alkyl esters.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a target nucleic acid polymer, comprising: bonding a probe nucleic acid polymer and a microparticle to form a probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle, adding a target nucleic acid polymer to the probe nucleic acid polymer contained within the probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle to form an addition microparticle, and energizing the microparticle contained within the addition microparticle into a high-energy state and then using energy transfer from this high-energy state microparticle to decompose the target nucleic acid polymer.

Abstract: An acoustic system for applying vibratory energy including a horn connected to an ultrasonic energy source. The horn defines an overall length and wavelength, and at least a leading section thereof is comprised of a ceramic material. The leading section has a length of at least ? the horn wavelength. In one preferred embodiment, an entirety of the horn is a ceramic material, and is mounted to a separate component, such as a waveguide, via an interference fit. Regardless, by utilizing a ceramic material for at least a significant portion of the horn, the ultrasonic system of the present invention facilitates long-term operation in extreme environments such as high temperature and/or corrosive fluid mediums. The present invention is useful for fabrication of metal matrix composite wires.

Abstract: An ultrasonic horn in accordance with the present invention comprises a horn body having a longitudinal transmission axis, a proximal end attachable at least indirectly to a source of ultrasonic vibrations, and a distal end with an active end face. The end face is provided with a plurality of fingers projecting parallel to one another and to the axis.

Abstract: The sulfur content of a liquid hydrocarbon stream is reduced under mild conditions by contracting a sulfur-containing liquid hydrocarbon stream with transition metal particles containing the transition metal in a zero oxidation state under conditions sufficient to provide a hydrocarbon product having a reduced sulfur content and metal sulfide particles. The transition metal particles can be produced in situ by adding a transition metal precursor, e.g., a transition metal carbonyl compound, to the sulfur-containing liquid feed stream and sonicating the feed steam/transition metal precursor combination under conditions sufficient to produce the transition metal particles.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing fatty acid alcohol ester useful as a substitute fuel for light oil in which an ester interchange reaction between fats or oils and alcohol is carried out in a reactor 1 by applying ultrasonic irradiation at a frequency of 15 to 100 kHz and irradiation intensity of 0.5 to 20 W/cm2 in the presence of a catalyst, followed by an application of ultrasonic irradiation at a frequency of 200 to 3,000 kHz and irradiation intensity of 0.5 to 20 W/cm2 to the reaction product in a separation tank 4 to separate fatty acid alcohol ester and glycerol. Such ultrasonic irradiation in the separation tank 4 may be applied to an interface between fatty acid alcohol ester and glycerol.

Abstract: An ultrasonic energy source is used to provide a variable force for measuring the binding forces between molecular entities and for sensing the presence of an analyte in a test sample. The device includes a surface that has a first binding member attached thereto and one or more particles that have a second binding member attached thereto. A reaction vessel is provided for exposing the surface to the particles whereby, if the first binding member has a binding affinity for the second binding member, a complex is formed between individual first binding members and individual second binding members and the particles thereby become immobilized with respect to the surface. The ultrasonic energy source is positioned for applying a variable ultrasonic force onto the surface, and the position of the particles is monitored as the intensity of the ultrasonic force is varied.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a ceramic material comprises the steps of preparing a melt of the ceramic materials, cooling the melt slowly through the freezing point of the material to initiate solidification, holding the melt at a temperature below the freezing point of the material whilst solidification progresses and characterised in that during solidification an ultrasonic field is applied to the melt. The melt composition may be selected to include an excess of one or more ceramic materials so as to produce a second phase dispersed in the solidified product during solidification. Also claimed is a ceramic material produced by the method described. The ceramic material may be a superconductor.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic horn in accordance with the present invention comprises a horn body having a longitudinal transmission axis, a proximal end attachable at least indirectly to a source of ultrasonic vibrations, and a distal end with an active end face. The end face is provided with a plurality of fingers projecting parallel to one another and to the axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluid mixtures with ultrasonic energy. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may include a selected constituent and the method may include directing a flow of the fluid mixture into a treatment apparatus and altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent by exposing the fluid mixture to ultrasonic energy while the fluid mixture flows through the apparatus. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may be under pressure while being exposed to the ultrasonic energy and the fluid mixture may subsequently be exposed to a vacuum source to remove gas from the fluid mixture. In another aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic energy may have a first frequency and the fluid mixture may be exposed to ultrasonic energy of a second frequency different than the first frequency while in the apparatus. The ultrasonic energy may cavitate a liquid portion of the fluid mixture to generate heat and pressure in the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A system for applying energy to cells so as to elicit the formation of pores, to enhance transfection, and/or cell transformation, includes a computer, a plurality of acoustic probes for controllably applying acoustic energy to batches of cells, and a robot operatively for effecting relative movement between the probes and the batches of cells. Preferably, the acoustic energy comprises ultrasonic energy, which is applied in combination with optical or electrical energy to enhance the formation of pores in surface membranes of the cells.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sonication device includes a velocity transformer or probe which, when coupled to a vibrating transducer of the piezoelectric or magnetostrictive type, resonates in sympathy with the transducer and either increases or decreases the magnitude of the transducer's vibration. A shallow cup assembly is attached to the distal end of the probe. The cup assembly holds a microtiter tray in a suitable orientation and contains an amount of liquid which provides efficient acoustic coupling between a transverse end face of the probe and the microtiter tray.

Abstract: A catalyst for olefin polymerization, which is obtained by contacting (A) a compound of a transition metal of Groups 4 to 6 of the Periodic Table, (B) an organoaluminiumoxy compound, and optionally (C) a carrier with each other, and for which they are exposed to elastic waves at least in any step of contacting them with each other. Preferably, the elastic waves are ultrasonic waves falling between 1 and 1000 kHz. Provided are high-activity metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerization. As having high polymerization activity, they are favorable to vapor-phase or slurry polymerization for producing olefinic polymers.

Abstract: A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from hydrocarbon mixtures without the need of additives, catalysts or heating using ultrasonic cavitation. Ultrasonic energy is provided at a rate sufficient to induce cavitation in the hydrocarbon mixture without causing cracking. The high temperatures and high pressures resulting from cavitation reduce intermolecular forces between hydrocarbons thereby liberating existing lighter hydrocarbons in the diesel range or lighter for recovery via more traditional separation technologies. The resulting upgraded petroleum product exhibits lower distillation curves and decreased pollution causing components. Further, a wide variety of feedstocks can be treated according to the method of this invention.

Abstract: A method for making a suspension, dispersion or emulsion of non-agglomerated particles comprising forming particles in a liquid medium, wherein sonic energy is applied to the liquid medium at the point of contact of the reactants during the particle forming step to produce the suspension, dispersion or emulsion of non-agglomerated particles. The invention is also directed to a method for making a suspension of non-agglomerated pyrithione salt particles, comprising the steps of forming pyrithione salt particles in a liquid medium, wherein sonic energy is applied to the liquid medium during the forming step to produce the suspension of non-agglomerated pyrithione salt particles.

Abstract: A process of preparing low-viscosity aqueous cellulose ether solutions is described. The process comprises: (a) dissolving high molecular weight cellulose ether in water to form a first solution; (b) admixing a catalytic amount of an acid into the first solution of step (a) to form a second solution; (c) subjecting the second solution of step (b) to high-frequency radiation having a frequency of 3 to 300,000 MHz, which results in raising the temperature of said second solution to a temperature of 60° C. to 150° C.; (d) cooling the frequency subjected second solution of step (c); and (e) neutralizing the cooled solution. Also described is a method of using the cellulose ether prepared in accordance with the method of the present invention as a coating material for solid pharmaceutical administration units, such as tablets.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for decreasing the viscosity of crude oils and residuum utilizing a combination of acid and sonic treatment.

Abstract: Fossil fuels are combined with a hydroperoxide in an aqueous-organic medium and subjected to ultrasound, with the effect of oxidizing the sulfur compounds in the fuels to sulfones. Due to their high polarity, the sulfones thus formed are readily removed from the fuels by polar extraction. The process is thus highly effective in removing sulfur compounds from the fuels.

Abstract: A method of inducing solidification in a fluid composition comprising a cosmetic active, a crystalline organic structurant and a carrier, comprising exposing the fluid composition to ultrasound or converting the composition to a soft solid.

Abstract: An ultrasonic energy source is used to provide a variable force for measuring the binding forces between molecular entities and for sensing the presence of an analyte in a test sample. The device includes a surface that has a first binding member attached thereto and one or more particles that have a second binding member attached thereto. A reaction vessel is provided for exposing the surface to the particles whereby, if the first binding member has a binding affinity for the second binding member, a complex is formed between individual first binding members and individual second binding members and the particles thereby become immobilized with respect to the surface. The ultrasonic energy source is positioned for applying a variable ultrasonic force onto the surface, and the position of the particles is monitored as the intensity of the ultrasonic force is varied.

Abstract: Compounds containing a primary amino group are converted into compounds containing a fluorine atom in place of the amino group by reaction of the amino compound with hydrogen fluoride and a nitrosating reagent under the influence of ultrasound or microwaves.