Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a plane-parallel structure (a platelet-shaped body, or flake), comprising at least one dielectric layer consisting of one or more oxides of a metal selected from groups 3 to 15 of the periodic table, which comprises the steps of: (a) applying a thin film of the dielectric material on a flexible belt, by passing the belt through an aqueous solution of a fluorine scavenger and one or more fluorine containing metal complexes which are the precursors of the desired metal oxide coating; and subjecting said solution to microwave radiation to deposit the metal oxide onto said flexible belt, wherein step (a) can optionally be repeated using different fluorine containing metal complexes to produce one or more metal oxide layers or a gradient of concentration of 2 different metal oxides across the thickness; (b) separating the resulting layer from the flexible belt as plane-parallel structures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pelletizing hot asphaltenes are provided. Asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be dispersed to provide two or more asphaltenic particles. The asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be at a temperature of from about 175° C. to about 430° C. The asphaltenic particles can be contacted with a film of cooling medium. The film can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 500 mm. At least a portion of the asphaltenic particles can be solidified by transferring heat from the asphaltenic particles to the cooling medium to provide solid asphaltenic particles. The solid asphaltenic particles can be separated from at least a portion of the cooling medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the metal coating of nano-fibers by electrospinning, to the metal coated nano-fibers obtained by this process and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibers. The process is characterized in that a polymer nano-fiber with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fiber and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity.

Abstract: A method of forming mufti-phasic nano-objects involves the jetting of two or more different liquids in side-by-side capillaries thereby generating a composite liquid stream. The composite then exposed to a force field which causes the composite liquid stream to at least partially solidify into a nano-object. The method forms a nano-object having a number of morphologies such as rods, spheres, and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing porous structures, particles or matrixes, which may be comprised of one or a plurality of components, an apparatus for carrying out the method and particles formed in accordance with the method. The method is particularly suitable for producing porous composite or pure particles for pharmaceutical applications. In accordance with the method, a composite comprising a material such as a pharmaceutical, a biodegradable polymers and/or a biological agent is formed. The composite must further comprise a material that is soluble in supercritical fluid. Extraction of the supercritical fluid soluble material produces porous structures, which may be in the form of particles or matrixes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing fibrous materials in which the apparatus includes an enclosure having an inlet configured to receive a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed, a common electrode disposed in the enclosure, and plural extrusion elements provided in a wall of the enclosure opposite the common electrode so as to define between the plural extrusion elements and the common electrode a space in communication with the inlet to receive the substance in the space. In the method, a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed is fed to the enclosure having the plural extrusion elements, a common electric field is applied to the extrusion elements in a direction in which the substance is to be extruded, the substance is extruded through the extrusion elements to tips of the extrusion elements, and the substance is electrosprayed from the tips to form the fibrous materials.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for producing nanoparticles of a low melting point material such as gold at more than 10 times faster the rate of conventional technology while maintaining the time-averaged temperature of pulse-modulated atmospheric-pressure plasma at a temperature that is low enough so as not to damage a heat-sensitive material disposed downstream. This method of preparing nanoparticles of a low melting point inorganic material in which a wire made of a low melting point inorganic material is inserted into a plasma-generating capillary tube or a plasma-generating nozzle and atmospheric-pressure high frequency plasma is generated in the capillary tube or nozzle is characterized by generating the plasma by applying a high frequency voltage possessing a waveform which exhibits its maximum value when it rises and then immediately falls, and which is pulse-modulated so that the duty ratio thereof is 10% or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for making a plurality of substantially phase-pure metal oxide particles, the particles comprising a garnet structure, the process comprising: subjecting a dispersion of precursors to a solvothermal treatment to form a garnet intermediate and applying a flow-based thermochemical process to said garnet intermediate.

Abstract: A process for producing a microparticulate hardening catalyst, comprising the steps of jetting a liquid composition containing epoxy resin hardening catalyst (A), monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group (B) and photopolymerization initiator (C) through a minute nozzle into a gas so as to form microparticles; and while the microparticles are floating, irradiating the same with high-energy rays to thereby effect polymerization of the monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group (B).

Abstract: Nanomaterial and methods for generating nanomaterial are described wherein a reaction, for example, decomposition, for generating nanomaterial occurs utilizing a hot wall reactor.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a dope that has excellent formability and can be formed into a fiber, a film, pulp-shaped particles and the like by a wet method. This invention is also to provide a process for the production of a fiber excellent in heat resistance, strength and elastic modulus. This invention provides a dope and a process for the production of a fiber from the dope, the dope including a polyamide and a basic solvent, the polyamide containing a recurring unit of the following formula (I), wherein Ar1 represents at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of and having an inherent viscosity of 1.0 or more, the dope has a polyamide concentration of over 10% by weight but not more than 25% by weight and exhibits optical anisotropy at 50° C.

Abstract: In a method for producing a starting material (M, N, N?) for the production of a wear layer (420), a coating (40) with a composition which corresponds to that of the wear layer (420) which is to be produced is chemically undissolved from its substrate (30) and is detached as a solid body, and that the starting material (M, N, N?) is formed by the layer material (60) of the detached coating (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhaler devices and bespoke pharmaceutical dry powder composition to be dispensed using such inhaler devices for pulmonary administration. In particular, the present invention relates to the provision of passive inhaler devices and dry powder compositions which are specifically formulated and prepared to be efficiently dispensed by such devices to reproducibly achieve a high delivered dose of the pharmaceutically active agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing nanotubes from coaxial jets of immiscible liquids or poorly-miscible liquids. The purpose of the invention is to produce hollow fibers (nanotubes) or composite fibers having diameters ranging from a few micras to tens of nanometers and comprising walls, in the case of nanotubes, with a thickness ranging from hundreds of nanometers to a few nanometers. The inventive nanotube-formation method involves the generation of coaxial nanojets of two liquids using electrohydrodynamic technology.

Abstract: A method of producing fibrous aggregate, comprising: a supplying and discharging step in which a fiberizable liquid is supplied from a means for storing a fiberizable liquid to a means for discharging a fiberizable liquid via a supplying pipe, and the fiberizable liquid is discharged from the discharging means; and a fibers-collecting step in which fibers drawn and fiberized by applying an electrical field to the discharged fiberizable liquid are accumulated directly on a collecting surface of a collector while the collecting surface is unidirectionally conveyed to form the fibrous aggregate; wherein the discharging means is carried on a support capable of moving along an endless track capable of rotationally travelling between a pair of rotating shafts, and the fiberizable liquid is discharged from the discharging means while the support is revolved at a constant velocity under the condition that a moving direction of a linear motion area in the endless track conforms to a width direction of the collecting

Abstract: The claimed invention describes methods and apparatuses for manufacturing nano-aerosols and nano-structured materials based on the neutralization of charged electrosprayed products with oppositely charged electrosprayed products. Electrosprayed products include molecular ions, nano-clusters and nano-fibers. Nano-aerosols can be generated when neutralization occurs in the gas phase. Neutralization of electrospan nano-fibers with molecular ions and charged nano-clusters may result in the formation of fibrous aerosols or free nano-mats. Nano-mats can also be produced on a suitable substrate, forming efficient nano-filters.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus is described. The electrospinning apparatus has a rotary nozzle mechanism that moves simultaneously along a non-linear track for forming polymeric fibrils, so that the polymeric fibrils can be piled to form a uniform web on a receiving carrier from any receiving angle. Therefore, the electrospinning apparatus resolves problems of the prior polymeric fibrils, such as various distribution and slow production rate. In addition, a method of manufacturing polymeric fibrils in the aforementioned electrospinning apparatus is further described.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing nanoparticles, especially pigment particles, comprising the following steps: i) bringing a base substance (1) into the gas phase, ii) generating particles by cooling or reacting the gaseous base substance (1), and iii) applying electrical charge to the particles during particle generation in step ii) in a nanoparticle generation apparatus. The invention further relates to apparatus for producing nanoparticles, having a feed line (28) for transporting the gas stream (29) into the apparatus, a particle generation and charging area for substantially simultaneous generation and charging of nanoparticles, and a takeoff line (30) for transporting the charged nanoparticles from the particle generation and charging area.

Abstract: Nanometer scale structures, and methods of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical mechanical polishing pads having an electrospun polishing layer are provided, wherein the electrospun polishing layer has a polishing surface that is adapted for polishing a semiconductor substrate. Also provided are methods of making such chemical mechanical polishing pads and for using them to polish semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to structures that contain one or more fiber and/or nanofiber structures where such structures can be formed on a wide variety of structures or surfaces (e.g., asperities, flat surfaces, angled surface, hierarchical structures, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for forming one or more fibers, nanofibers or structures made therefrom on a wide variety of structures or surfaces (e.g., asperities, flat surfaces, angled surface, hierarchical structures, etc.). In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for forming one or more fibers, nanofibers or structures made therefrom on a wide variety of structures or surfaces (e.g., asperities, flat surfaces, angled surface, hierarchical structures, etc.) where such fibers and/or structures are designed to sequester, carry and/or encapsulate one or more substances.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber-reinforced medical balloon is described herein. The method entails pressurizing a portion of a balloon, and ejecting a fiber precursor fluid from at least one nozzle adjacent to the portion. One or more fibers are formed from the fiber precursor fluid and deposited on an exterior surface of the portion. Preferably, the fibers are polymer nanofibers, and the method is carried out using an electrospinning process.

Abstract: Reduced levels of drug degradation in drug-containing multiparticulates are obtained by an extrusion/melt-congeal process.

Abstract: A nanofiber membrane is formed on a microfiber membrane. The nanofiber membrane may be electro sprayed directly onto the microfiber membrane and becomes integrated with the microfiber membrane to form a filter. The microfiber membrane provides structural integrity to for the nanofiber membrane, and an additional microfiber membrane may be added to sandwich the nanofiber membrane.

Abstract: A method of nanofibers production from a polymer solution uses electrostatic spinning in an electric field created by a potential difference between a charged electrode and a counter electrode. The polymer solution for spinning is supplied into the electric field using the surface of a rotating charged electrode. On a part of the circumference of the charged electrode near to the counter electrode, a spinning surface is created for attaining a high spinning capacity. In a device for carrying out the method, the charged electrode is pivoted and part of its circumference is immersed in the polymer solution. The free part of the circumference of the charged electrode is positioned opposite the counter electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for producing bichromal balls that are adapted for use in high temperature applications. The bichromal balls find particular application in signs and display devices that can be used in environments in which the temperature exceeds 40° C.

Abstract: A fabrication method and apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liquid precursor over a surface of the substrate; and irradiating at least a region of the surface of the substrate with a light beam such as to fabricate a structure thereon from the liquid precursor.

Abstract: Resin particles comprised of an acrylic resin. Not only is the maximum compression deformation ratio thereof as great as 60% or more but also the load required for 60% compression deformation is as small as 60 mN or less. Wiring boards are therefore coupled in using an anisotropic conductive adhesive obtained by first manufacturing conductive particles having a conductive coating formed on a resin particle surface of the resin particles by adhering a conductive material to the surface of the above resin particles as a core. On dispersing the conductive particles in an adhesive material, the conductive particles sandwiched between metallic wires of the wiring boards are greatly deformed by a small load, so that the electrical devices having a high conduction reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of fiber production relating in general to electrospinning and specifically to MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Structures). Utilizing integrated circuit manufacturing processes, a nanoscale, self-contained device has been developed to execute the process of electrospinning large arrays of fibers and fiber arrays. One of the benefits of using the disclosed MEMS device is that the voltage required to produce a “so called” Taylor Cone would is substantially reduced and the requirement of a hydrostatic feed negated through the use of passive capillarity based wick surface treatment.

Abstract: Electrospray systems and modified electrospray systems for the fabrication of core-shell particles for controlled-release and/or sustained-release treatment and delivery are herein disclosed. The electrospray system may include between one and a plurality of co-axially situated tubes. Each tube may be electrically connected to a power supply wherein a voltage may be applied thereto. Core-shell particles may be collected on a collection target, which may be a wet or dry collector, and electrically connected to the power supply. Core-shell particles and methods of manufacture are also disclosed. The precursors of the core-shell particles may be polymer- or biomacromolecule-based solutions and may include at least one treatment agent incorporated therein. The number of “core” particle(s) within the “shell” may vary and may provide different treatment agent release profiles depending on the material and/or chemical characteristics of the polymer and/or biomacromolecule used.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method of production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of solutions (14) or melts of polymers, at which the produced nanofibres are deposited on the moving base (2) in the spinning chamber (1), while before entering into the spinning chamber (1) the electrical conductivity of the base (2) is increased. The invention also relates to the device for production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of solutions (14) or melts of polymers containing the spinning chamber (1) in which the produced nanofibres are deposited on the base (2). In the direction of motion of the base (2) before the spinning chamber (1) there is arranged the device (3) for increasing the electrical conductivity of the base (2).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for manufacturing fibrils comprising: a rotating device with at least one opening being made of an electric conduction material and hollow for containing polymer or biopolymer; and an outer barrier being made of electric conduction materials and around the rotating device; wherein while revolving the rotating device results in that the polymer or biopolymer is out of the rotating device through the opening so as to gain the fibrils in between the rotating device and the outer barrier.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus including a spinning dope main tank, a metering pump, a nozzle block, a collector positioned at the lower end of the nozzle block for collecting spun fibers, a voltage generator, a plurality of units for transmitting a voltage generated by the voltage generator to the nozzle block and the collector, said electrospinning apparatus containing: a spinning dope drop device positioned between the metering pump and the nozzle block, the spinning dope drop device having (i) a sealed cylindrical shape, (ii) a spinning dope inducing tube and a gas inlet tube for receiving gas through its lower end and having its gas inlet part connected to a filter aligned, side-by-side, at the upper portion of the spinning dope drop device, (iii) a spinning dope discharge tube extending from the lower portion of the spinning dope drop device, and (iv) a hollow unit for receiving the spinning dope from the spinning dope inducing tube provided at the middle portion of the spinning dope-drop device.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tubular structure from a liquefied polymer, the apparatus comprising: (a) a dispenser for dispensing the liquefied polymer; (b) a precipitation electrode being at a first potential relative to the dispenser, the precipitation electrode being designed and constructed for generating a polymeric shell thereupon; and (c) a mechanism for increasing a local density of the polymeric shell in a plurality of predetermined sub-regions of the polymeric shell, thereby to provide a tubular structure having an alternating density in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Toughened compositions of PLA and PLA copolymers are disclosed, which also have low tensile modulus values and greater elongation to break. These toughened compositions are prepared by blending PLA and PLA copolymers with poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, and copolymers thereof. Blending of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate with PLA and its copolymers has been found to impart advantageous properties to the resulting blend. These compositions, and objects formed from these compositions, have improved toughness and lower stiffness than polylactic acid polymers or copolymers alone.

Abstract: Methods for making composite flakes are disclosed. The composite flakes are formed from particles and one or more monomers and/or resins or resin systems. The polymer matrix of the flakes is highly crosslinked and/or high molecular weight. Use of the particles in powder coatings is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an aerosol manufacture facility including an aerosol generator (600), an aerosol heater (604), an aerosol cooler (604), a particle collector (606), a precursor liquid supply system (608), a carrier gas supply system (610), and a cooling gas supply system (612), and optionally other components. Also provided is an aerosol method for manufacturing particles in the aerosol manufacture facility, which, in one embodiment, involves automated process control.

Abstract: Methods for making glasses and glass-ceramics comprising Al2O3 and SiO2. Glasses made according to the present invention can be made, formed as, or converted into glass beads, articles (e.g., plates), fibers, particles, and thin coatings. Some embodiments of glass-ceramic particles made according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.

Abstract: Polymer fiber interconnects are produced between microscale features on substrate using only electrostatic forces. In one embodiment, electric field driven directed growth of fibers is achieved between microscale droplets of a concentrated polymer solution deposited on a substrate associated with a capacitor, such as an interdigitated capacitor. After depositing the droplets, the droplets on or near the positive electrode become positively charged and the droplets on or near the negative electode become negatively charged. Fibers form between the positively and negatively charged droplets due to electrostatic forces. In a second embodiment, positively charged and negatively droplets are created by electrospraying or by other means, and the fibers spontaneously form between droplets of opposite polarity. The process is similar to conventional electrospinning, but is achieved on a micrscopic scale and utilizes significantly lower driving potentials.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing powders of oxides in a nanometer level through a direct current plasma thermal reaction is disclosed. The energy required is provided by the plasma that is generated in the non-transferred DC plasma apparatus. Once the solid precursors are introduced into the plasma, the solid precursors are vaporized and oxidized in the plasma reaction region of the non-transferred DC plasma apparatus continuously. Then, the oxide powders in a nanometer scale can form homogeneously and continuously. By controlling the nozzle size, the speed of the plasma can be adjusted and the coarsening and agglomeration of the nanopowders can be effectively prevented. Finally, oxide nanopowders of high-purity and high-dispersity are obtained by cooling down the plasma gas containing the vaporized and oxidized precursor through a vortical cooling-gas.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis comprising a first layer having a predetermined first porosity and a second layer having a predetermined second porosity, wherein the first layer and the second layer are each made of first and second electrospun polymer fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer fiber shell from liquefied polymer is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a precipitation electrode being for generating the polymer fiber shell thereupon; (b) a dispenser, being at a first potential relative to the precipitation electrode so as to generate an electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser, the dispenser being for: (i) charging the liquefied polymer thereby providing a charged liquefied polymer; and (ii) dispensing the charged liquefied polymer in a direction of the precipitation electrode; and (c) a subsidiary electrode being at a second potential relative to the precipitation electrode, the subsidiary electrode being for modifying the electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making shaped structures with internally coated cavities with an inside diameter in the nanometer to micrometer range and the shaped structure obtained thereby.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing particles, especially nanoparticles, by way of precipitation from solution on a rotating surface (1) of a rotating surface reactor is disclosed. Nanoparticles with a tight size distribution may be manufactured in bulk and without the problems of agglomeration that are associated with traditional stirred-tank reactors. Use of a rotating surface reactor allows precipitation of nanoparticles from viscous, supersaturated solutions by way of homogeneous nucleation aided by strong micromixing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polymer spherical bodies and is to produce a large size spherical body having no residual strain. This method comprises suspending a liquid monomer in a supporting liquid having a magnetic susceptibility ?2 larger than a magnetic susceptibility ?1 of any one of the monomer and the resulting polymer and not dissolving substantially the monomer, and applying a gradient magnetic field to the supporting liquid to float droplets of the monomer at a given position in the supporting liquid, and polymerizing and solidifying the droplets while maintaining a state that the droplet is substantially shaped into a sphere through surface tension. This method is made possible to produce polymer spherical bodies capable of using in optical application and the like.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus including a spinning dope main tank, a metering pump, a nozzle block, a collector positioned at the lower end of the nozzle block for collecting spun fibers, a voltage generator, a plurality of units for transmitting a voltage generated by the voltage generator to the nozzle block and the collector, said electrospinning apparatus containing a spinning dope drop device positioned between the metering pump and the nozzle block, the spinning dope drove device having (i) a sealed cylindrical shape, (ii) a spinning dope inducing tube and a gas inletting tube for receiving gas through its lower end and having its gas inletting part connected to a filter aligned side-by-side at the upper portion of the spinning dope drop device, (iii) a spinning dope discharge tube extending from the lower portion of the spinning dope drop device and (iv) a hollow unit for dropping the spinning dope from the spinning dope inducing tube formed at the middle portion of the spinning dope drop device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparation of conducting/semi-conducting polymers having high piezosensitivity, which have a large number of application in electro-mechanical sensors, tactile sensors for robotics, touch sensitive screens and the like. The present invention provides a process for preparation of a conducting/semi-conducting polymer which has very high piezosensitivity and which can be easily made at low temperature and used at low electric fields.

Abstract: Improved polymer materials and fine fiber materials can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: A method for making agglomerate particles from a composition comprising at least a radiation curable binder and solid particulates. The method comprises the steps of forcing the composition through a perforated substrate to form agglomerate precursor particles which then separate from the perforated substrate. Then, the particles are irradiated to form soldified, handleable agglomerate particles before being collected.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a trash and garbage processing device which may be sized to fit into a kitchen of a home or sized to be used in a multi-family dwelling. The present invention 10 has a plurality of sorting compartments 12 disposed on the top thereof for receiving various types of waste products. There is a compartment for shrinking and palletizing plastics, another compartment for shredding paper and cardboard 58, another compartment for perishable organic waste 48, a crushing compartment for crushing cans and glass/plastic products 54 and a disposal compartment 60 for non-degradable, solid waste such as bones and batteries. After the various types of waste materials are processed, they are transferred to a conduit to a recycling bin 32 for temporary storage and then thereafter removed from the recycling bin and transferred for final disposal.