Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a zirconia-based porous body which can be pulverized in a relatively short time and in which performance deterioration caused by pulverization is suppressed. The present invention pertains to a zirconia-based porous body in which the total pore volume is at least 1.0 ml/g, the pore volume of pores having a diameter of 20-100 nm (exclusive of 100) is at most 0.3 ml/g, and the pore volume of pores having a diameter of 100-1000 nm is at least 0.5 ml/g.

Abstract: Chalcogen-grafted carbon material as well as their functionalized forms are described along with processes for their preparation. More specifically, the chalcogen is covalently linked to the carbon scaffold of a polyaromatic carbon via C?X and/or C—X—C bonds. Processes for their preparation include a single thermal treatment without the use of strong acids or anhydrous solvents.

Abstract: Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, the separators described herein may include a nanofiber mat including at least one nanofiber having a continuous matrix material.

Abstract: A nanofiber mat comprises metal oxide nanoparticles distributed on surface of metal oxide nanofibers, wherein the nanofiber mat has a surface area at least 150 m2/g, and the metal oxide is selected from titanium monoxide TiOx, wherein 0.65<x<1.25, niobium monoxide NbOx, wherein 0.982<x<1.008, vanadium (II) oxide VOx, wherein 0.79 <x <1.29, iron (II) oxide FexO, wherein 0.833<x<0.957, manganese (II) oxide MnxO, wherein 0.848<x<1.000, titanium suboxide, TiOnO2n?1, wherein n>1, molybdenum suboxide, MonO3n?1, wherein n>1, MonO3n?2, wherein n>1, and vanadium suboxide, VnO2n?1, wherein n>1. Cathodes, anodes and batteries are made using the nanofiber mat. Processes for producing the metal oxide nanofiber mat and an electrode including it are also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in chemical looping combustion is provided. The catalyst includes a mixture of metal oxides dispersed on a ceramic support. The mixture of metal oxides forms a nickel tungsten oxide (NiWO4) interaction complex which functions as an oxygen carrier in the chemical looping combustion reaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include electrospinning apparatus and techniques in which a precursor solution is allowed to descend onto, rather than through, needles, and fibers are formed from the precursor solution proximate the needles and deposited on a collector.

Abstract: A cerium-zirconium based mixed oxide composition have: (a) a Ce:Zr molar ratio of 1 or less, and (b) a cerium oxide content of 10-50% by weight. The composition has (i) a surface area of at least 18 m2/g, and a total pore volume as measured by N2 physisorption of at least 0.11 cm3/g, after ageing at 1100° C. in an air atmosphere for 6 hours, (ii) a surface area of at least 42 m2/g, and a total pore volume as measured by N2 physisorption of at least 0.31 cm3/g, after ageing at 1000° C. in an air atmosphere for 4 hours, and (iii) Dynamic Oxygen Storage Capacity (D-OSC) value as measured by H2-TIR of greater than 500 ?mol/g at 600° C. after aging at 800° C. in an air atmosphere for 2 hours. A process contacts the exhaust gas with the composition Another process is for preparing the composition.

Abstract: Provided are metal oxide ceramic materials and intermediate materials thereof (e.g., nanozirconia gels, nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles). The nanozirconia gels are formable gels. Also provided are methods of making and using the metal oxide materials and intermediate materials. The nanozirconia gels can be made using, for example, osmotic processing. The nanozirconia gels can be used to make nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental article. The nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles have desirable properties (e.g., optical properties and mechanical properties).

Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric element having high stability, which operates with high efficiency, and a method for manufacturing the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element (10) has a laminate structure in which a first electrode (14), a first piezoelectric film (16), a second electrode (18), an adhesion layer (20), an interlayer (22), a third electrode (24), a second piezoelectric film (26), and a fourth electrode (28) are laminated in this order on a silicon substrate (12). The interlayer (22) is formed of a material different from that of the second electrode (18) and has a thickness of 0.4 ?m to 10 ?m. A device having a diaphragm structure or a cantilever structure is formed by removing a part of the silicon substrate (12). The respective layers (14 to 28) laminated on the silicon substrate (12) can be formed using a thin film formation method represented by a vapor phase epitaxial method.

Abstract: A hybrid capacitor with further increased energy density, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. This hybrid capacitor is configured from a positive electrode which is a polarizable electrode that has double-layer capacitance, and a negative electrode which has a negative electrode active material which can occlude and release lithium ions and which is formed from metal compound particles having a three-dimensional network structure, wherein, as an electrolyte, the electrolytic solution contains lithium salts in a molar concentration greater than or equal to 1.6 M.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cesium tungsten bronze-based self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material, and method of preparing the same. Cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles are prepared by hydrothermal method using WCl6 and CsOH.5H2O as raw materials, PVP as a surfactant and acetic acid as an acid catalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared from TiCl4. Subsequently ball milling and dispersing of the cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles, the TiO2 nanoparticles, and a silane coupling agent with water to obtain an aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO2 composite particles is performed. The concentration of the aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO2 composite particles is adjusted to obtain a self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of lacing resistant, titanium dioxide particles for use in photodurable thin film production. Said process involves dewatering titanium dioxide particles that have been encapsulated with a layer of amorphous alumina in continuous fashion at temperatures in excess of 100° C.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide powder has excellent red light-selective transmission function while maintaining hiding power. A cosmetic formulated therewith provides a natural finish and makes skin irregularities (pores) inconspicuous while having good covering properties. A titanium dioxide powder is obtained by firing titanium dioxide having acicular projections on the particle surface at 500-800° C. The titanium dioxide powder for the cosmetic is characterized by an apparent average particle size is 100-500 nm, an average crystallite size measured by X-ray diffraction is 15-30 nm, and a specific surface area is 10-30 m2/g.

Abstract: There is provided a shape memory ceramic structure including an aggregate population of crystalline particles. Each crystalline particle in the population, of crystalline particles comprises a shape memory ceramic particle material. Each crystalline particle in the population of crystalline particles has a crystalline particle extent that is between about 0.5 microns and about fifty microns. At least a portion of the population of crystalline particles has a crystalline structure that is either oligocrystalline or monocrystalline.

Abstract: A composite plate having a thickness of no more than 2 mm, and having laminated therein a zirconia sintered body, an adhesive layer, and a base material, the elasticity of the base material being no more than 100 GPa, and the apparent density of the composite plate being no more than 4.3 g/cm3.

Abstract: A composite plate has a thickness of 2 mm or less, which is obtained by laminating and closely fixing a zirconia sintered body and a fiber-reinforced plastic with each other, and the thickness ratio of the zirconia sintered body to the fiber-reinforced plastic is 0.01 to 1, and the apparent density of the composite plate is 4.3 g/cm3 or less. A composite plate has a thickness of 2 mm or less, which is obtained by laminating and closely fixing a zirconia sintered body and a fiber-reinforced plastic with each other, and the maximum roughness depth of the surface of the zirconia sintered body is 50 ?m or less per 1 cm2.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, the nanoparticles comprising, on an oxide basis: (a) 85-100 wt % ZrO2+HfO2, (b) 0-15 wt % Y2O3, and (c) 0-2 wt % Al2O3, wherein the dispersion has a polydispersity index of 0.10-0.17. The invention also relates to a method of forming a ceramic article comprising the steps of: (a) pouring the aqueous dispersion into a mould, (b) drying the aqueous dispersion in the mould to form a green body, and (c) sintering the green body to form the ceramic article.

Abstract: Provided are novel titanium oxide particles, production method thereof, and applications which do not need a conductive aid or minimize the conductive aid. Novel titanium oxide particles 1 employ a three-dimensional network structure in which multiple crystallites 2 are coupled in sequence, and a magneli phase 2a is formed on the surface of the crystallites 2. The crystallites 2 are oriented at random, coupled with each other via pinacoid or end surface, and laminated as the three-dimensional network structure. A large number of spaces 3 in nano size is present in the titanium oxide particles 1, a grain boundary of the bonding interface is eliminated between the crystallites 2, while a large number of pores is present.

Abstract: Solar-reflective roofing granules having improved solar heat-resistance are formed by coating colored mineral particles with a coating composition including titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photocatalyst coated body which can realize a sufficient photocatalytic activity and adhesiveness with a substrate, without significantly impairing an appearance of a substrate, especially an exterior building material. The photocatalyst coated body has a structure including a substrate, an intermediate layer formed on the substrate, and a photocatalyst layer formed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes inorganic oxide particles having an average particle diameter of nanosize. The photocatalyst layer includes photocatalyst particles having an average particle diameter of more than 0 ?m to less than 10 ?m and inorganic oxide particles having an average particle diameter of nanosize. A sum of a film thickness of the intermediate layer and a film thickness of the photocatalyst layer is 0.3 ?m or more to 1.5 ?m or less.

Abstract: There is provided a touch sensitive element including an electroactive layer, and an electrode disposed on at least one surface of the electroactive layer. The electroactive layer has a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion which has a second thickness different from the first thickness and is in contact with the first portion at an outside of the first portion.

Abstract: Articles and methods in which an electric field is used to actuate a material are generally described. Provided in one embodiment is a method including applying an electric field to a ceramic material. Applying the electric field to the ceramic material can transform the ceramic material from a first solid phase to a second distinct solid phase. The applied electric field is less than a breakdown electric field of the ceramic material, according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: A photocatalytic functional film has a structure of a substrate, a barrier layer and a photocatalytic layer stacked one on another. The barrier layer is an amorphous TiO2 film, the photocatalyst layer comprises an amorphous TiO2 film, and particles of visible light responsive photocatalytic material formed on the surface of the amorphous TiO2 film. A method for producing a photocatalytic functional film includes: adding an alcohol solvent and an acid to a titanium precursor to obtain a TiO2 amorphous sol by dehydration and de-alcoholization reaction; applying and drying the TiO2 amorphous sol on a substrate to form a barrier layer; and applying and drying a composition formed by mixing particles of visible light responsive photocatalyst material with the TiO2 amorphous sol on the barrier layer, to form a photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Provided is a zirconia powder that has excellent moldability and a high sintered density, and that can produce a zirconia sintered product in a simple manner; also provided is a method for producing the zirconia powder. The zirconia powder according to the present invention comprises 2 to 6 mol % of yttria, has a volume of pores with a pore diameter of 200 nm or less of 0.14 to 0.28 mL/g, and has a relative molding density of 44 to 55% when the zirconia powder is molded at a molding pressure of 1 t/cm2, wherein the relative molding density is represented by the following formula (1): relative molding density (%)=(molding density/theoretical sintered density)×100??(1).

Abstract: A composition of zirconium oxide and at least one oxide of a rare earth other than cerium is described. The zirconium oxide has a weight proportion of at least 50% and, after calcination at a temperature of 900° C. for 4 hours, the composition exhibits two populations of pores of which their respective diameters are centered. The diameter of the first pore has a value of from 20 nm to 40 nm and in the second pore has a value of from 80 nm to 200 nm. Further described is how the composition can be used for treating the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to an eyeglass lens comprising a lens substrate and a vapor-deposited film either directly or indirectly on the lens substrate, wherein the vapor-deposited film is an oxide film of metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and tantalum, with an average grain size observed in a planar image obtained by a transmission electron microscope of equal to or greater than 3.5 nm and a proportion accounted for by grain boundaries, which are boundaries separating grains from regions outside of the grains, in a planar image obtained by a transmission electron microscope of less than 15%.

Abstract: This invention provides a zirconia-based porous body having a pore diameter suitable for supporting catalytic active species, such as precious metals, small variability in pore diameter, and a sufficient specific surface area even after 12-hour heating at 1000° C. Specifically, the invention provides a zirconia-based porous body in particle form having (1) a pore diameter peak at 20 to 100 nm in the pore distribution by BJH method, a P/W ratio of 0.05 or more wherein W represents half width of the peak and P represents height of the peak in the measured pore distribution curve, and a total pore volume of 0.5 cm3/g or more; and (2) a pore diameter peak at 20 to 100 nm, the P/W ratio of 0.03 or more, a specific surface area of at least 40 m2/g, and a total pore volume of 0.3 cm3/g or more, after heat treatment at 1000° C. for 12 hours.

Abstract: Provided are metal oxide ceramic materials and intermediate materials thereof (e.g., nanozirconia gels, nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles). The nanozirconia gels are formable gels. Also provided are methods of making and using the metal oxide materials and intermediate materials. The nanozirconia gels can be made using, for example, osmotic processing. The nanozirconia gels can be used to make nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental article. The nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles have desirable properties (e.g., optical properties and mechanical properties).

Abstract: Provided are metal oxide ceramic materials and intermediate materials thereof (e.g., nanozirconia gels, nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles). The nanozirconia gels are formable gels. Also provided are methods of making and using the metal oxide materials and intermediate materials. The nanozirconia gels can be made using, for example, osmotic processing. The nanozirconia gels can be used to make nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental article. The nanozirconia green bodies, pre-sintered ceramic bodies, zirconia dental ceramic materials, and dental articles have desirable properties (e.g., optical properties and mechanical properties).

Abstract: Molten grains include titanium suboxides of the formulation TinO2n-1, in which the phases are principally Ti5O9 or Ti6O11 or a mixture of these two phases, the phases Ti5O9 and/or Ti6O11 representing, in total, more than 60% of the weight of the grains, the grains further including less than 30% by weight of Ti4O7.

Abstract: A metal suboxide having a specific surface area of greater than or equal to about 1.5 m2/g is prepared by preparing a metal suboxide precursor, and heat-treating the metal suboxide precursor.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the procurors following by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nanocrystalline metal oxide particles comprising the steps of a) the introduction of a starting compound into a reaction chamber by means of a carrier fluid, b) the subjecting of the starting compound in a treatment zone to a pulsating thermal treatment, c) the forming of nanocrystalline metal oxide particles, d) the removal of the nanocrystalline metal oxide particles obtained in steps b) and c) from the reactor, wherein the starting compound is introduced into the reaction chamber in the form of a solution, slurry, suspension or in solid aggregate state. Further, the present compound relates to a catalyst material, obtainable by the process according to the invention, in particular a catalyst material for use in the preparation of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material includes monoclinic system titanium dioxide having an average pore diameter falling within a range of 8 nm to 25 nm. A volume of pores having a diameter of 10 nm or less falls within a range of 10% to 30% of a total pore volume.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing low valence titanium oxides in a steady supply manner acceptable in industrial production. The low valence titanium oxides are produced by electrical discharge between two electrodes in an aqueous medium, wherein at least one of the electrodes is a titanium-containing electrode.

Abstract: Polymerizable resin compositions and microstructures comprising the reaction product of such polymerizable resin compositions are described. The microstructures comprise the reaction product of a polymerizable resin composition comprising an organic portion having a refractive index of at least 1.56 wherein the polymerizable resin composition comprises a fluorene-containing monomer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element including a step of preparing a green sheet A including a portion which becomes a fired piezoelectric body later, by use of a piezoelectric material; a step of joining, to at least one surface of the green sheet A, a green sheet B having an opening in a portion facing the portion which becomes the fired piezoelectric body later, followed by firing to obtain the fired piezoelectric body provided with a reinforcing plate to which the reinforcing plate formed owing to the firing of the green sheet B is attached; and a step of forming a film-like electrode in a portion obtained by the firing of the green sheet A in the fired piezoelectric body provided with the reinforcing plate.

Abstract: Zirconia sintered body having similar appearance to natural tooth. On straight line extending in first direction from one end to the other end of zirconia sintered body, when chromaticity (L*, a*, b*) by a L*a*b* colorimetric system of first point positioned in section from the one end to 25% of the whole length is (L1, a1, b1) and chromaticity (L*, a*, b*) by L*a*b* colorimetric system of second point positioned in section from the other end to 25% of whole length is (L2, a2, b2), L1 ranges from 58.0 to 76.0, a1 ranges from ?1.6 to 7.6, b1 ranges from 5.5 to 26.3, L2 ranges from 71.8 to 84.2, a2 ranges from ?2.1 to 1.8, b2 ranges from 1.9 to 16.0, L1<L2, a1>a2, b1>b2, and tendency to increase or decrease chromaticity by the L*a*b* colorimetric system from first point to second point does not change.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas catalyst carrier made of a composite of ?-alumina and a zirconia-titania solid solution, an exhaust-gas catalyst employing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, and a method of manufacturing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier are provided.

Abstract: Supported catalyst particles, which can be incorporated in the tobacco cut filler, cigarette wrapper and/or cigarette filter of a cigarette, are useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis of carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide. The supported catalyst comprises catalyst particles that are supported on particles of an electrically conductive support selected from the group consisting of graphitic carbon and a partially reduced oxide.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a nanostructured material comprising nanoparticles bound to its surface. The nanostructured material comprises nanoparticles which are bound to the surface, wherein the nanoparticles have a maximal dimension of about 20 nm. Furthermore, the nanostructured material comprises pores having a maximal dimension of between about 2 nm to about 5 ?m. The nanoparticles bound on the surface of the nanostructured material are noble metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles or mixtures thereof. The present invention also refers to a method of their manufacture and the use of these materials as electrode material.

Abstract: A photocatalyst coated body includes a base and a photocatalyst layer provided on the base. The photocatalyst coated body is characterized in that photocatalyst layer contains 1-20 (inclusive) parts by mass of photocatalyst particles, 30-98 (inclusive) parts by mass of silica particles and 1-50 (inclusive) parts by mass of zirconia particles, so that the total all of these particles is 100 parts by mass. The photocatalyst coated body is also characterized in that the zirconia particles are at least one kind of particles selected from the group consisting of crystalline zirconia particles having an average crystallite diameter of 10 nm or less and amorphous zirconia particles. Such photocatalyst coated body has excellent photocatalytic degradation function and excellent weather resistance; and also it is capable of suppressing the formation of intermediate products such as NO2, while increasing the amount of NOx removed during removal of NOx in the air.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode contained a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes a monoclinic ?-type titanium-based oxide or lithium titanium-based oxide. The monoclinic ?-type titanium-based oxide or lithium titanium-based oxide has a peak belonging to (011), which appears at 2?1 in a range of 24.40° or more and 24.88° or less, in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by wide angle X-ray diffractometry using CuK? radiation as an X-ray source.

Abstract: A microstructure that can develop non-conventional and novel physical properties and a method for producing the same are provided. Ethanol is added to a mixture solution produced by adding a surfactant solution to a peroxotitanic acid aqueous solution to produce precipitates, and the precipitates collected from the mixture solution are let dried to produce precursor powders 5. The precursor powders 5 are calcined at a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, a microstructure 2 can be produced which is formed of monophasic Ti4O7 in nano size. The microstructure 2 of monophasic Ti4O7 produced in this fashion can be fine-grained in nano size unlike prior-art crystals.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for production of powder of perovskite compound which comprises: the first step for obtaining an aggregate of perovskite compound which comprises at least one A group element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Pb and at least one B group element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf and Sn, and which is represented by the general formula ABO3 wherein A is at least one A group element and B is at least one B group element; and the second step for heating the aggregate of perovskite compound obtained in the first step in a solvent at a temperature in a range from 30° C. to 500° C. whereby disintegrating the aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for continuously preparing mineral particles by means of the thermolysis of mineral precursors in an aqueous medium, comprising contacting: a reactive flow, including mineral precursors at a temperature lower than the conversion temperature thereof; and a heat transfer flow that is countercurrent to said reactive flow and contains water at a temperature that is sufficient to bring the precursors to a temperature higher than the conversion temperature thereof, the mixture flow that results from said reactive flow and said heat transfer flow then being conveyed into a tubular reactor, inside of which particles are formed by gradually converting the precursors, and where the reactive flow and the heat transfer flow are placed in contact with each other inside a mixing chamber, inside of which the reactive flow and the heat transfer flow are fed by supply pipes having outlet cross-sections that are smaller than the maximum cross-section of said mixing chamber.

Abstract: Known processes for the production of nanoparticles of compounds of the transition metals Zr, Ti, Ta, rare earths (RE), Mn, and Fe via microemulsions lead to products that contain impurities from the reactants, particularly water, which make the further use of said nanoparticles difficult, for instance in high-temperature super conductors (HTSC). It is proposed that the nanoparticles be produced via anhydrous microemulsions having an outer phase composed of a nonpolar solvent and inner phase composed of a polar anhydrous solvent. The nanoparticles thus obtained exhibit good monodispersity and can be used in the production of REBa2Cu3O7 super conductors by incorporation into the precursor coating solution.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Metal oxide may be deposited over a first electrode, with the deposited metal oxide having a relatively low degree of crystallinity. The degree of crystallinity within the metal oxide may be increased after the deposition of the metal oxide. A dielectric material may be formed over the metal oxide, and a second electrode may be formed over the dielectric material. The degree of crystallinity may be increased with a thermal treatment. The thermal treatment may be conducted before, during, and/or after formation of the dielectric material.

Abstract: Provided are a macroporous titanium compound monolith and a production method thereof, the macroporous titanium compound monolith having a framework that is composed of a titanium compound other than titanium dioxide, having controlled macropores, and having electron conductivity, the titanium compound being oxygen-deficient titanium oxide, titanium oxynitride, or titanium nitride.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the procurors following precursors to form nucleates followed by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.