Abstract: A method is described including passing a solution having a biodegradable polymer, a solvent and a treatment agent through an electrocharged nozzle to form particles encapsulating the treatment agent. The particles emitted from the electrocharged nozzle may be exposed to a charge opposite that of the nozzle. The particles may be deposited in a collection assembly comprising a liquid phase. A further method including combining a biodegradable polymer, a solvent and a treatment agent to form a solution, electrodepositing the solution in a particle form wherein the particles encapsulate the treatment agent in a collection assembly comprising a liquid phase and mixing the particles with a bioerodable material capable of forming a gel is described. An apparatus having an electrocharged nozzle, a grounded electrode having an opposite charge to that of the nozzle and a collection assembly comprising a liquid phase is further disclosed.

Abstract: Method for producing nanoparticles that can be used in a variety of applications, including improving performance of electrostatographic apparatuses. More particularly, a method for producing nanoparticles through a precipitation process occurring in a matrix of two or more molecules in a multi-solvent system.

Abstract: Embolization, as well as related particles and methods, are described.

Abstract: Methods for making glass-ceramics comprising Al2O3, REO, at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2 and at least one of Nb2O5 or Ta2O5. Glass-ceramics 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 according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for producing nano-particles, capable of efficiently producing monodisperse nano-particles substantially uniform in particle size and composition, and freely controllable in particle size and composition at low cost. The process for producing nano-particles comprises a particle precursor capturing step in which a liquid containing the particle precursor is incorporated in another liquid containing dendritic branching molecules to capture the particle precursor by the dendritic branching molecule, and particle forming step in which the particle precursor captured by the dendritic branching molecule is transformed into the particle.

Abstract: A method for precipitation of finely divided solid particles comprising a) Dissolving a compound C in a fluid A to provide a solution A; b) Thermostatization of said solution A to a temperature ranging between ?50°0 C. and 200° C.; c) Adding a fluid B to said solution A until a pressure P is obtained, characterized in that said fluid B at a pressure P is miscible with said solution A and acts as a co-solvent to form a solution AB; d) Adding an inert gas to solution AB so as to maintain the pressure P; and e) Reducing the pressure of said solution AB so as to produce the precipitation of said compound C, and wherein the method permits particles of average size less than 20 ?m, with a narrow distribution ranging between 1 and 100 ?m, from a solution, and not a mix, that contains the compound C precipitated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making very fine particles containing at least an active principle inserted in a host molecule and a device for implementing said method. The method is characterized in that it consists in forming a solution of the active principle in a first liquid solvent and of a product formed by the host molecules in a second liquid solvent, then in contacting the resulting solutions with a supercritical pressure fluid, so as to precipitate the host molecules which are dissolved therein.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing the material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing particles from solution-in-supercritical fluid or compressed gas emulsions. In accordance with the method of the invention, a solution that includes a solute dissolved in a solvent is contacted with supercritical fluid or compressed gas to form a solution-in-supercritical fluid or compressed gas emulsion. The emulsion is sprayed through an orifice to create spray droplets. The supercritical fluid or compressed gas and the solvent are removed from the spray droplets resulting in the formation of particles that include the solute. In one embodiment of the invention, the solvent is removed from the spray droplets by lyophilization. In another embodiment of the invention, the solvent is removed from the spray droplets by evaporation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanoscale particulate material is described comprising: (i) combining one or more functional material to be precipitated as nanoscale particles and one or more surface active material in a compressed CO2 phase with a density of at least 0.1 g/cc, where the functional material is substantially insoluble in the compressed CO2 in the absence of the surfactant, the surfactant comprises a compressed CO2-philic portion and a functional material-philic portion, and the compressed CO2 phase, functional material and surfactant interact to form an aggregated system having a continuous compressed CO2 phase and a plurality of aggregates comprising surfactant and functional material molecules of average diameter less than 10 nanometers dispersed therein; and (ii) rapidly depressurizing the compressed CO2 phase thereby precipitating the dispersed functional and surfactant materials in the form of composite particles of average diameter from 0.5 to less than 10 nanometers.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are proposed to perform the supercritical assisted atomization of nano and/or micro metric powders. It is possible to use liquid solvent at process conditions in which they show a low solubility in carbon dioxide. Atomization is obtained by solubilizing pressurized carbon dioxide (compressed, liquid, supercritical) in a solution formed by the solid to be micronized and the liquid solvent, solubilizing carbon dioxide up to near equilibrium conditions and then atomizing the solution down to near atmospheric conditions through a thin wall injector, to produce very small droplet of micronic and sub-micronic dimensions. The subsequent evaporation of the droplets produces particles with diameters ranging between 0.02 and 10 micron.

Abstract: The invention relates to stable solid dosage forms for peroral administration containing, in addition to an ubiquinone, at least one thermoplastically processible matrix-forming auxiliary agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A method of preparing spherical pellets from a slurry comprising a ceramic powder, a solvent, and any desired additives, by means of a drop-generating orifice to which said slurry is fed is described, wherein the drops are released from said orifice by means of a relative flow of a liquid medium which is a poor solvent for the solvent of the slurry, formed into spherical bodies in said liquid medium by means of the action of surface tension, and thereafter treated for consolidation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the preparation of pellets of a catalyst or catalyst support material, suitable for use in high temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming particles that involves contacting a solution, which includes a solute and/or other material to be precipitated dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, with a first compressed or liquefied gas at an initial temperature to form a mixture. The mixture is then expanded at a first temperature to form droplets. Depending upon the composition of the droplets and the first temperature, the droplets may be in a solid state or a liquid state. The droplets are then contacted with an extracting fluid at a second temperature to extract the solvent from the droplets. The method can be used to produce micro and nanoparticles suitable for various drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Strands of molten polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from a PET polycondensation reactor are solidified, pelletized, and cooled only to a temperature in the range of 50° C. to a temperature near the polymer Tg by contact with water. The still hot pellets are conveyed, optionally followed by drying to remove water, to a PET crystallizer. By avoiding cooling the amorphous pellets to room temperature with water and cool air, significant savings of energy are realized.

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: A method and apparatus for producing nanometer-sized particles, the method including the steps of forming of mixture by mixing a first precursor reactant, a second precursor reactant, a surface-stabilizing surfactant, and a high boiling point liquid to form a mixture, forming a mist of droplets of the mixture, heating the droplets to cause a reaction between species of the first and second precursor reactants within the heated droplets, and collecting the nanometer-sized products.

Abstract: The preparation of novel microemulsions to be used as precursors for solid nanoparticles is described. The microemulsion precursors consist of either alcohol-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, liquid hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, or liquid hydrocarbon-in-water microemulsions. The formed solid nanoparticles have diameters below 200 nanometers and can be made to entrap various materials including drugs, magnets, and sensors. The solid nanoparticles can be made to target different cells in the body by the inclusion of a cell-specific targeting ligand. Methods of preparing the novel microemulsion precursors and methods to cure solid nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: This invention is for an improved process to formulate polymeric microspheres/nanospheres and encapsulate therapeutic proteins and other useful substances. Non-toxic supercritical or near-critical fluids with/without polar cosolvents are utilized to solubilize biodegradable polymers and form uniform polymer microspheres and nanospheres to encapsulate proteins with controlled-release characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is an aerosol method, and accompanying apparatus, for preparing powdered products of a variety of materials involving the use of an ultrasonic aerosol generator (106) including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (120) underlying and ultrasonically energizing a reservoir of liquid feed (102) which forms droplets of the aerosol. Carrier gas (104) is delivered to different portions of the reservoir by a plurality of gas delivery ports (136) delivering gas from a gas delivery system. The aerosol is pyrolyzed to form particles, which are then cooled and collected. The invention also provides powders made by the method and devices made using the powders.

Abstract: An Al2O3 and ZrO2 based abrasive grain containing titanium compounds in a reduced form, especially in the form of oxides and/or suboxides and/or carbides and/or oxycarbides and/or oxycarbonitrides and/or suicides, corresponding to a proportion of 0.510 wt. %, expressed as TiO2, containing 20–50 wt. % ZrO2, wherein more than 75 wt. % of the ZrO2 is present in a tetragonal crystal form, having an overall carbon content of 0.03–0.5 wt. %, a proportion of impurities caused by raw materials of less than 3.0 wt. %, wherein the rare earth content calculated in the form of oxides is less than 0.1 wt. %, having an Si-compound content of 0.05–1.0 wt. %, expressed as SiO2, and an Al2O3 content of 50–80 wt.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing pellets from hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene, in accordance with the present invention, includes flow means that supplies the hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene through a conduit to its outlet; and pellet producing medium or means that breaks up the liquid stream of the hot asphaltene flowing out of the outlet of the conduit and produces pellets of asphaltene. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a reservoir or container that collects the pellets of heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene together with some fluid producing a slurry; and transporting means that transports the slurry to the required location. Preferably, the fluid is liquid water. In addition, the pellet producing medium preferably is liquid water.

Abstract: A high efficiency fluid filter arrangement wherein a combined layer of scrim and filter media applications is of empirically relatively estimated weight size and depth with intermediate pleat spacing so as to arrive at a combined filtration capability value in keeping with selected approved test standards.

Abstract: Metal-carbon composite powders and methods for producing metal-carbon composite powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology and preferably have a small average particle size. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of powder precursors. The invention also includes novel devices and products formed from the composite powders.

Abstract: Processes of manufacturing polymeric microspheres facilitate the generation of polymeric microspheres of size ranges smaller than 600 microns diameter by forming beads of a predetermined size from a starting material which may include a template polymer, and subsequently contacting the beads with a structural polymer. After crosslinking of the structural polymer has taken place, the template polymer may be removed to form the finished microspheres.

Abstract: A method for producing powders that consist of substantially spherical particles from a material such as glass, ceramics or plastic that produces a highly viscous melt that solidifies at a glass transition temperature Tg or at a solidification temperature Ts. The inventive method comprises the following steps: (a) producing a melt of a viscosity ? in the range of from 0.1 to 100 Ns/m2; (b) atomizing the melt using a first gas, the first gas having a temperature TA?Tg or ?0.5Ts at the outlet of the nozzle and (c) cooling off the particles produced by atomization in a cooling section downstream of the nozzle using a coolant, the temperature of the coolant being smaller than Ts or Tg.

Abstract: A method for producing a preparation containing a bioactive substance, characterized in that it comprises forming a solid material containing the bioactive substance and a polymer, and contacting the solid material with a high pressure gas. The method allows the production of a preparation which is suppressed in excessive initial release of the bioactive substance immediately after the administration thereof, is capable of releasing a predetermined amount of the bioactive substance over a long period of time, and is extremely reduced in the deterioration of the bioactive substance and in the amount of a residual organic solvent.

Abstract: Provided is an aerosol method, and accompanying apparatus, for preparing powdered products of a variety of materials involving the use of an ultrasonic aerosol generator (106) including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (120) underlying and ultrasonically energizing a reservoir of liquid feed (102) which forms droplets of the aerosol. Carrier gas (104) is delivered to different portions of the reservoir by a plurality of gas delivery ports (136) delivering gas from a gas delivery system. The aerosol is pyrolyzed to form particles, which are then cooled and collected. The invention also provides powders that include particles made by the method and devices made using the particles.

Abstract: Nanometer particles of poorly water-soluble or substantially water-insoluble compound are produced by finely-spraying a non-aqueous solution of said compound into a heated and fluidized bed of carrier excipient. The resulting product consists of a free flowing mixture of relatively large particles of carrier excipient and nanometer sized particles (less than 3 ?m)) of compound.

Abstract: A nozzle for producing filaments or fibers of thermoplastic synthetic resin has at the nozzle end one or more bores, preferably opening at a flat surface and receiving respective inserts or shaped bodies which are formfitting in the bores and have along their peripheries respective nozzle channels opening at orifices through which the synthetic resin is discharged. Air streams may be directed at the strand at an acute angle when fibers are to be produced.

Abstract: A method for producing fine or ultra fine powder particles comprising mixing a metal alkoxide with a non-metallic hydride in an organic solvent, agitating the mixed solution, and then burning the mixed solution. The burning process comprises igniting the solution directly or burning the solution in situ. A self-sustaining flame will result. When the precursor solution burns, the metallic compound will be co-fired with the organic solvent. As a result, fine or ultra fine particles of mixed metal will burst from the flame, or thrust through the flame and be synthesized.

Abstract: Artificial particles known as calcium phosphate nanoclusters, which contain high concentrations of calcium, particularly for use in nutritional products, neutraceuticals and pharmacological preparations. There is also provided a simple mixing method for producing nanoclusters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming microparticles of a material from microdroplets of a solution, wherein the solution comprises the material dissolved in a solvent. The method includes the steps of directing the microdroplets into a freezing zone, wherein the freezing zone is surrounded by a liquified gas, and wherein the microdroplets freeze. The frozen microdroplets are then mixed with a liquid non-solvent, whereby the solvent is extracted into the non-solvent, thereby forming the microparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing fused alumina-zirconia grits includes mixing raw materials suitable to produce grits with the following chemical composition, in % by weight: ZrO2+HfO2: 10–60%, Al2O3: 38–90%, SiO2: <0.8%, and Impurities: <1.2%. The process also includes adding carbon and aluminum metal to the mixture of raw materials to obtain a charged batch containing, in % by weight,: Carbon: 0.4–1% Aluminum metal: 0.5–2.5%. The process further includes melting the charged batch in an electric arc furnace with a voltage of 175–205 V and a delivered specific electrical energy of 2.5 to 4 kWh per kg of charge.

Abstract: A method for forming polymer microspheres includes dispensing polymeric material from an orifice of a drop-on-demand ink jet printhead while the orifice is immersed in a solvent extraction media.

Abstract: A method of producing microparticles and nanoparticles of a solute via the extraction of solvent, having the solute dissolved therein, from an emulsion using a supercritical fluid. The solute to be precipitated is dissolved in the solvent to form a solution, and the solution is dispersed in an immiscible or partially miscible liquid to form an emulsion. The particles are produced via the extraction of the solvent from the emulsion using the supercritical fluid. The process can produce an aqueous suspension of particles that are substantially insoluble in water, and the solvents used in the process to form the emulsion initially can be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming particles using supercritical fluid. The method includes the steps of mixing a load material with a first flow of a supercritical fluid in a first mixing chamber having a primary mixing device disposed therein to form a melt, transferring the melt from the first mixing chamber to a second mixing chamber having a secondary mixing device disposed therein, mixing the melt with a second flow of the supercritical fluid in the second mixing chamber to form a lower viscosity melt, expanding the lower viscosity melt across a pressure drop into an expansion chamber that is at a pressure below the critical pressure of the supercritical fluid to convert the supercritical fluid to a gas and thereby precipitate the load material in the form of particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a suspension of a pharmaceutically-active compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first organic solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous. The process includes the steps of: (i) dissolving a first quantity of the pharmaceutically-active compound in the water-miscible first organic solvent to form a first solution; (ii) mixing the first solution with the second solvent to precipitate the pharmaceutically-active compound; and (iii) seeding the first solution or the second solvent or the pre-suspension.

Abstract: A reinforced molded article having reinforced protrusions extending from the surface of the article is suitable for molding into automobile trim. The article comprises at least one thermoplastic; about 2% to about 15% by volume reinforcing particles having one or more layers of 0.7 nm–1.2 nm thick platelets, wherein more than about 50% of the reinforcing particles are less than about 20 layers thick; whereby the reinforcing particles reinforce a protrusion from the surface of the molded article, the protrusion having a thickness of less than 1/10 inch. A method of producing reinforced articles comprising this reinforced protrusion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing composite particles using a supercritical fluid extraction technique on an emulsion. First and second materials (for example; a polymer and a biologically active material) are dissolved or suspended in a preferably solvent to form a solution or dispersion. The solution or dispersion is emulsified in a polar solvent to form an oil-in-water or water-in-oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion is contacted with a supercritical fluid to extract the solvent. Removal of the solvent by the supercritical fluid from the emulsion supersaturates at least the first material in the solution causing the first material to precipitate out of the solution as composite particles that include both the first and second materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of less than about 2 ?m.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method by which a fluid heat reactive resin system is formulated below the melting point of the resin. This permits the application of coatings and the formation of shapes and powders from the fluid heat reactive system. Liquefied gases are used to solvate resins so that curing agents, hardeners, pigments and flow control agents, and especially curing agents which are too reactive to be mixed with the resins above the melting point of the resins may be dispersed in the resins. After dispersion, the fluid heat reactive resin system remains in a deformable state under ambient conditions for a transient processing time. The transient processing time is established and maintained by the inclusion of plasticizers and high boiling solvents in the heat reactive resin system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermosetting coating mass, comprising a carboxyl functional polyester, and/or a carboxyl functional polyacrylate, a ?-hydroxyalkylamide, in which a portion of the hydroxyl groups are chemically blocked and/or fillers and/or heat stabilisers and/or triboadditives and/or further additives, such as, for example, dispersing and degassing agents.

Abstract: A binder B for inorganic powders comprises a mixture of b1 from 80 to 99.5% by weight of a polyoxymethlene homopolymer or copolymer B1 and b2 from 0.5 to 20% by weight of a polymer system B2 which is not miscible with B1 and comprises b21 from 5 to 100% by weight of polytetrahydrofuran B21 and b22 from 0 to 95% by weight of at least one polymer B22 of C2-8-olefins, vinylaromatic monomers, vinyl esters of aliphatic C1-8-carboxylic acids, vinyl C1-8-alkyl ethers or C1-12-alkyl (meth)acrylates.

Abstract: The present invention involves using a melt-blowing process to make a filter medium defining pores having a pore size of between 3 and 12 microns. The filter medium is made of a thermoplastic polymer and is adapted for use in an internal combustion engine air filter. A profile is used in the melt-blowing process to mold melt blown fibers into the filter medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are invented for producing fine particles, which can readily realize the formation of fine particles of sub-?m order to 100 micron order as well as fine particles of several micrometer which cannot be realized by a conventional method and apparatus available for producing fine particles, and a large quantity of fine particles having the desired particle diameter can be obtained with a high yield. A molten material (1), which is a molten raw material to be fragmented into fine particles, is supplied into a liquid coolant (4), boiling due to spontaneous-bubble nucleation is generated, and the molten material (1) is cooled and solidified while forming fine particles thereof by utilizing a pressure wave generated by this boiling.

Abstract: While blowing out cooling air to a preform which is biaxially stretched and blow molded into a bottle shape, heat sources are made operative by a high power and the first heating process as quick heating is performed to the preform. Subsequently, the heated preform is left as it is and a temperature adjusting process to reduce a temperature difference between an outer surface temperature and an inner surface temperature of the preform to a predetermined value or less is executed. The second heating process to heat the preform until the outer surface temperature is equal to a temperature which is slightly lower than a crystallization temperature of the PET is executed to the preform obtained after completion of the temperature adjusting process while blowing out the cooling air to the preform. Thus, the quick heating of the preform is safely accomplished without causing an overheating state.

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.