Abstract: The broad applicability of at least certain aspects of the present invention derives from the ability to determine the critical location where secondary satellite formation occurs for any atomization system or design and allows for the rapid assessment of the effectiveness of various satellite reduction strategies, including but not limited to several embodiments detailed herein. Aspects of this invention can be utilized during initial atomization system design in order to evaluate effective chamber geometries and enabling strategies which reduce/eliminate satelliting, or can be retrofit to existing systems and allows for economic evaluation of effectiveness based off of initial capital expenditures versus increased operating requirements/expenses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductive ink composition and a manufacturing method thereof. The composition includes about 50 to about 99 wt % copper nanoparticles and about 1 to about 50 wt % tin. Copper nanoparticles are atomized and suspended in a tin bath, wherein the copper nanoparticles are evenly dispersed within the bath through sonification. The composition is cooled, extracted, and formed into a filament for use as a conductive ink. The ink has a resistivity of about 46.2×E?9 ?*m to about 742.5×E?9 ?*m. Once in filament form, the tin-copper mix will be viable for material extrusion, thus allowing for a lower cost, electrically conductive traces to be used in additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A production method for water-atomized metal powder includes: in a region in which the average temperature of a molten metal stream having an Fe concentration of 76.0 at % or more and less than 82.9 at % is 100° C. or more higher than the melting point, spraying primary cooling water at a convergence angle of 10° to 25°, where the convergence angle is an angle between an impact direction on the molten metal stream from one direction and an impact direction on the molten metal stream from any other direction; and in a region in which 0.0004 seconds or more have passed after an impact of the primary cooling water and the average temperature of metal powder is the melting point or higher and (the melting point+100° C.) or lower, spraying secondary cooling water on the metal powder under conditions of an impact pressure of 10 MPa or more.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a system, methods, and apparatus configured for generating singulated metal droplets and collecting powder metal. The system comprises crucible apparatus each including a crucible housing, a gas inlet, and an alloy nozzle. The crucible housing is operatively coupled to an induction heating element and power supply to provide induction heating of the crucible housing and electromagnetically levitate a mass of molten metal. The gas inlet is operatively coupled to a gas supply and configured to receive a pressurized gas pulse via the gas supply, the pressurized gas pulse being directed at the mass of molten metal. The alloy nozzle is configured to release a metal droplet singulated from the mass of molten level due to the pressurized gas pulse. The system includes a powder collection unit configured to collect powder from one or more dispensing channel configured to catch the falling singulated liquid metal droplet.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for producing polymer particles with a solid state polycondensation reactor and an underwater pelletization unit. The apparatuses use a pre-conditioning zone to adjust a temperature, crystallization in addition to dust, acetaldehyde and water content of the particles from a crystallization bin. Various inert gas streams can be provided from a purification unit to remove dust, acetaldehyde, water and adjust temperature and crystallinity of the particles, as also move the particles. The precondition zones have stages that allow for the particles to accurately achieve the desired SSP reactor inlet conditions.

Abstract: In-situ vitrification of hazardous waste occurs within human-made caverns. The human-made caverns may be located at distal (terminal) ends of substantially vertical wellbores and the human-made caverns may be located within deep geological rock formations, that are located at least two thousand feet below the Earth's surface. The hazardous waste that is vitrified into glass within such human-made caverns may be radioactive. The vitrification within a given human-made cavern is accomplished by at least one heater that operates according to a predetermined heating and cooling profile. During vitrification the heater may be reciprocated up and down to introduce currents into the waste liquid for uniform temperature dispersion. The heater may be removable, reusable, single use, and/or disposable. Cold caps and/or insulating blankets may be used over a given layer of vitrified waste product within the given human-made cavern. Heater weights, mixing vanes, and/or downhole sealing packer may also be used.

Abstract: A method for processing coir comprising processing dry coir by shredding, hydrating the coir up to a specified moisture content, and pelletizing the coir. An apparatus for pelletizing coir comprising a metal disk having flat, cylindrical openings. A soil additive composition comprising coir, seed, basalt, root stimulant, lime, worm castings, fish meal, molasses, and polymer.

Abstract: A nozzle for producing microparticles includes a nozzle body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The nozzle body further includes a through-hole extending from the first end through the second end. A fluid passageway is defined in the through-hole and forms a filling port in the first end of the nozzle body and a plurality of outlet ports in the second end of the nozzle body. The nozzle body further includes an oscillating device and an amplifying portion. The oscillating device is connected to the amplifying portion. The amplifying portion surrounds the fluid passageway and is located adjacent to the second end of the nozzle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an encapsulating device (100), which is designed to encapsulate a sample (1, 2) in a polymer capsule, comprising a drop generator (10), which is designed to provide a drop (3) of a suspension, which drop contains the sample (1), and a cross-linking device (20), which is designed to polymerize the drop (3), wherein the drop generator (10) has a retaining device (11), which is designed to accommodate the drop (3) in a hanging state, and the cross-linking device (20) is designed to feed a polymerization substance to the hanging drop (3) on the retaining device (11) and to form the polymer capsule. The invention further relates to a method for encapsulating a sample (1, 2) in a polymer capsule.

Abstract: A seamless capsule manufacturing apparatus (1) manufactures a seamless capsule by means of nozzles (2a-2d). A core liquid (5) and a coating liquid (6) are supplied to each of the nozzles (2a-2d) from pumps (16, 18) through distributors (21, 22). The distributors (21, 22) and the nozzles (2a-2d) are connected to each other by core liquid distributing tubes (23a-23d) and coating liquid distributing tubes (25a-25d), and each of the core liquid distributing tubes (23a-23d) and each of the coating liquid distributing tubes (25a-25d) have the same length. A vibrator (24) is mounted to the distributor (21), and the core liquid (5) is supplied to the nozzles (2a-2d) while being vibrated. Each of the distributors (21, 22) is provided with an air vent device (35), and air vent is performed appropriately.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro particle for a thermal control material capable of being applied as a highly thermal conductive material for thermal control, and an apparatus and a method of producing the micro particle for the thermal control material by using an ultrasonic high-temperature vibration scheme. More specifically, a Boron Nitride (BN) particle having a plate shape and an excellent thermal conductivity is coated on a PCM having a shape of a micro bead, to increase the thermal conduction to the inside PCM, so that a phase change is easily generated, and which allows an easy treatment of the PCM in a liquid state at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the PCM.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner is provided wherein a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by the shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and tools for preparing a population of monodisperse polymer microparticles, which are of particular interest in the field of drug delivery.

Abstract: A granulator, having a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or having: the bottom; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid each of which are provided in an opening in the bottom of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, with the spray nozzles being provided in a triangular arrangement.

Abstract: A method of and system for recirculating a fluid in a particle production system. A reactor produces a reactive particle-gas mixture. A quench chamber mixes a conditioning fluid with the reactive particle-gas mixture, producing a cooled particle-gas mixture that comprises a plurality of precursor material particles and an output fluid. A filter element filters the output fluid, producing a filtered output. A temperature control module controls the temperature of the filtered output, producing a temperature-controlled, filtered output. A content ratio control module modulates the content of the temperature-controlled, filtered output, thereby producing a content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output. A channeling element supplies the content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output to the quench chamber, wherein the content-controlled, filtered output is provided to the quench chamber as the conditioning fluid to be used in cooling the reactive particle-gas mixture.

Abstract: In a method and system for forming concentrated volumes of microbeads, a polymer solution and/or suspension includes a polymer dissolved and/or dispersed in a medium. Streams of a focusing fluid and of the polymer solution and/or suspension flow towards a fluid bath, and into intersection with one another, so as to focus the polymer solution and/or suspension. The polymer solution and/or suspension stream forms microbeads in the fluid bath Some of the focusing fluid is drawn from the fluid bath, so as to concentrate the microbeads in the fluid bath. The system includes a flow focusing apparatus and a liquid-containing cell. The focusing apparatus includes polymer and focusing nozzles. The cell contains the fluid bath and has an outlet port, through which the focusing fluid is drawn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an impact modifier and a device and a method for the production thereof, as well as to a method for preparing a thermoset material, or a thermoset material precursor, from the impact modifier. The impact modifier comprises at least one copolymer selected from A-B-A, A-B, and A-B-C block copolymers in which: each block is linked to the other by means of a covalent bond or an intermediate molecule that is connected to one of the blocks by a covalent bond and to the other block by another covalent bond; A is a PMMA homopolymer or a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, A preferably being compatible with the resin; C is either (i) a PMMA homopolymer or a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, or (ii) a polymer based on monomers or a mixture of vinyl monomers, and blocks A and C are identical; and B is incompatible or partially compatible with the thermoset resin and incompatible with block A and optional block C.

Abstract: A method of preparing a toner, including periodically dripping and discharging droplets of a toner constituent liquid comprising a resin and a colorant with a dripper comprising a thin film comprising plural nozzles configured to discharge the droplets, and an electromechanical converter configured to oscillate the thin film; and solidifying the droplets to form toner particles, wherein the nozzle has an aperture discharging the droplet, having a circular or an ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of another aperture contacting the toner constituent liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for making solid beads is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one liquid droplet generator operable to generate droplets comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent, and at least one flow channel for carrying a second liquid, at least one liquid droplet generator and at least one flow channel being spaced relative to one another so that, in use, liquid droplets pass through a gas into a second liquid provided in said flow channel, the solvent being soluble in the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads. A method of preparing solid beads is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of micro-particles of polysaccharides. The method includes preparing a feeding solution and a gelifying liquid to collect nebulized jets of the feeding solution. The feeding solution contains at least one polymer capable of forming micro-particle structures and at least one biologically active substance. The feeding solution is pressurized inside an air-less nebulizing unit and then nebulized through the unit itself so as to generate nebulized jets impacting the surface of the gelifying liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing gelled pearls includes: a housing with at least one opening into which a flavored liquid is provided; external components; and internal components. The external components include: a first ingress port through which a first refill pack is coupled; and a dispenser with tubing through which a processed solution is expelled into a gelling bath. The internal components include: a mixing tank for blending the flavored liquid with the first solution; a first flow valve fluidly coupled with the mixing tank and directing the flavored liquid into and out of the mixing tank; a second flow valve fluidly coupled with the mixing tank and directing flow of a proportional amount of the first solution into the mixing tank; and a microcontroller device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for micropelletization of a polymeric material, a melt thread of the polymeric material is formed by an extruder. A flowing gas is directed to the melt thread to form Rayleigh disturbances in the melt thread and break up the melt thread into discrete microdroplets. The discrete microdroplets are then solidified to form micropellets.

Abstract: A liquid coolant supply pipe and an over flow pipe are provided on the outer side of a capsule forming pipe through which a liquid coolant flows and into which liquid droplets are dropped from a nozzle. The liquid coolant is supplied to the liquid coolant supply pipe by a low pulsatory motion type pump, and the flow is regulated by a flow straightening block in the liquid coolant supply pipe. The cooling liquid passes through a liquid coolant introducing section having a curved surface, and then flows into the capsule forming pipe from an upper portion opening in a cap mounted to the upper part of the capsule forming pipe. The liquid coolant flows into the capsule forming pipe, and the excess flows into the overflow pipe.

Abstract: A system for producing microbeads includes a microfluidic device defining a supply channel and a shearing channel, a microbead precursor material disposed in the supply channel, a carrier fluid disposed in the shearing channel, and a pressure distribution system fluidly connected to each of the supply channel and the shearing channel to control at least relative pressures of the microbead precursor material and the carrier fluid. The supply channel includes a check valve adapted to be subjected to a bias pressure that is sufficient to close the check valve to flow of microbead precursor material when a supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is below a threshold pressure and is open to flow of the microbead precursor material when the supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is greater than the threshold pressure.

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: Methods and systems are provided for converting molten sulfur to powder sulfur by gas cooling of atomized sprays of molten sulfur. Certain embodiments contemplate a vertical tower that allows molten sulfur to produce an atomized spray or mist of molten sulfur descending from the top of the vertical tower. Gas introduced to the bottom of the vertical tower flows upward intimately interfacing with the descending atomized molten sulfur spray. The molten sulfur in the form of an atomized sulfur spray is cooled by the gas to form a sulfur powder. In certain embodiments, the sulfur powder formed is sufficiently small to be suitable for combination with a base fluid for producing a slurry for convenient transport of the sulfur particulates. Advantages of certain embodiments include higher efficiencies, lower cost, and production of much smaller solid sulfur average particulate sizes, which in turn allows for easier sulfur transport.

Abstract: Sulfur seeds may be produced by spraying liquid molten sulfur from a sulfur spray nozzle into a moving stream of liquid. Some of the sulfur may pass through the liquid and some of the sulfur may be entrained in and transported by the stream of liquid, or all of the sulfur may be entrained in the stream of liquid. The sulfur droplets that are entrained in the stream of liquid may be carried by the liquid to a cooling tank, which may be a spiral dewaterer tank with an angled bottom and a screw conveyor. An opening may be made in the bottom surface of the screw conveyor housing of the spiral dewaterer tank for liquid to drain from the screw conveyor as it moves sulfur seeds from the tank to a the drum. A screen may be disposed across the opening, and a drain trough attached to the screw conveyor housing to capture any liquid and solids that move through the screen. A wash line may assist in moving solids that pass through the screen.

Abstract: A facility that is especially suited for the freezing of juices and similar products, which includes a cooling tank that supplies the product by means of an impelling pump to a freezing chamber that receives a supply of a liquefied gas at a temperature of around ?140° C., preferably nitrogen, and pressurized air through an electro-valve to transform the juice into micro-drops or pellets and to freeze the droplets or the pellets inside the freezing chamber, which then exit the chamber through one or more dispensing valves, said freezing not affecting the original characteristics of the juice, in terms of its vitamin, protein and enzyme content.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and tools for preparing a population of monodisperse polymer microparticles, which are of particular interest in the field of drug delivery.

Abstract: A drop pelletizing device and method for producing pellets from a low-viscosity plastic melt are provided. The drop pelletizing device can include a die plate with holes, in which the plastic melt can be subjected to a harmonic pressure oscillation such that the plastic melt emerging from the holes forms individual pellet droplets, a pressure vessel, in which prevails an overpressure above the ambient pressure, a discharge device adapted to discharge the individual pellet droplets from the pressure vessel and to reduce the overpressure, a separator adapted to separate the individual pellet droplets from the coolant; and at least one circulating device adapted to agitate the coolant to separated and unclump the individual pellet droplets in the coolant and for producing turbulence within the coolant.

Abstract: A device for producing granules has a water-cooled granulating mechanism for producing plastics material granules. A discharge line arranged downstream of the granulating mechanism discharges a starting mixture flow and a granule heat exchanger arranged downstream of the discharge line controls the temperature of the mixture containing the plastics material granules and cooling water using parallel fluid passages. The granule heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for a transmission heat exchanger medium. A drying mechanism arranged downstream of the granule heat exchanger dries the plastics material granules. The device also may have an energy recovery mechanism arranged downstream of the discharge line for recovering energy from a recovery cooling water flow, containing at least a part of the cooling water of the starting mixture flow. The device uses waste heat, transmitted to the cooling water to increase the performance of the device and improve the energy efficiency thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing nanoparticles, in which method starting materials for nanoparticles are mixed at least as liquid droplets and optionally also as gases and/or vapors with at least combustion gases in a premixing chamber and the mixture is separated for liquid drops larger than size d, whereafter the mixture is conducted to at least one burner, in which the combustion gases are ignited such that a heavily mixing flame is generated, in which the starting materials react and optional solvents evaporate and generate through nucleation and/or sintering and/or agglomeration particles having a diameter of 1 to 1000 micrometers.

Abstract: Systems 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 method for the production of micro-particles of polysaccharides. The method includes preparing a feeding solution and a gelifying liquid to collect nebulized jets of the feeding solution. The feeding solution contains at least one polymer capable of forming micro-particle structures and at least one biologically active substance. The feeding solution is pressurized inside an air-less nebulizing unit and then nebulized through the unit itself so as to generate nebulized jets impacting the surface of the gelifying liquid.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises using a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent, e.g., by introducing a liquid anti-solvent into a static mixer, and introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing anti-solvent stream such that controlled precipitation of polymeric nanoparticles occurs. The nanoparticles can then be separated from the anti-solvent stream.

Abstract: In a method and system for forming microbeads, a polymer solution includes particles and a polymer dissolved in a solvent. A stream of the polymer solution flows into a chamber. A focusing fluid contacts and focuses the polymer stream in the chamber. The focusing fluid and the focused polymer stream flow, as a single flow stream, out from the chamber. Pendant droplets detach from a leading end of the single flow stream to form the microbeads. The focusing fluid reacts with the polymer solution to form functional groups at a surface of the microbeads for binding with biorecognition molecules. In the system, a flow focusing apparatus includes a flow focusing body shaped to define the chamber. Microbeads formed according to the methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A granulator, having a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom floor of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or a granulator, having: the bottom floor; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid each of which are provided in an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, wherein, in each granulator, the spray nozzles are provided in a triangular arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores.

Abstract: Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.

Abstract: A particle generator is able to generate pure particles for solid or liquid materials with melting points over several hundred degrees Celsius. The material is heated to generate the vapor in a small chamber. Heated nitrogen or some inert gas is used as the carry gas to bring the mixture into a dilution system. As the super saturation ratio of the material is large enough and over a critical value, particles are formed in the dilution system by homogenous nucleation, and grown in the same dilution system as well. The different size distributions and concentrations of the particles can be obtained by varying dilution parameters, such as residence time and dilution ratio.

Abstract: In a seamless capsule manufacturing apparatus that ejects a droplet from a nozzle into hardening liquid to manufacture a seamless capsule SC, tube passages which are synthetic resin tubes are provided as flexible sections between pumps and the nozzle. The vibration caused by the pumps is absorbed in the flexible sections and thus is not transmitted to the nozzle, whereby eyes or the like of the seamless capsule caused by vibration noises can be suppressed. Instead of a synthetic resin tube, a vibration absorbing block formed of an elastic member may be attached to the tube passages. Alternatively, a vibration absorbing unit, which is provided with a pad formed of an elastic member and for holding the tube passages, may be provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises using a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent, e.g., by introducing a liquid anti-solvent into a static mixer, and introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing anti-solvent stream such that controlled precipitation of polymeric nanoparticles occurs. The nanoparticles can then be separated from the anti-solvent stream.

Abstract: Systems 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: Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.

Abstract: A liquid coolant supply pipe (23) and an over flow pipe (24) are provided on the outer side of a capsule forming pipe (3) through which a liquid coolant (12) flows and into which liquid droplets (13) are dropped from a nozzle (2). The liquid coolant (12) is supplied to the liquid coolant supply pipe (23) by a low pulsatory motion type pump such as a rotary pump. The flow of the liquid coolant (12) is regulated by a flow straightening block (26) provided in the liquid coolant supply pipe (23), passes through a liquid coolant introducing section (31) having a curved surface, and then flows into the capsule forming pipe (3) from an upper portion opening (34) in a cap (29) mounted to the upper part of the capsule forming pipe. The liquid coolant (12) flows into the capsule forming pipe (3) and the excess of the liquid coolant (12) flows into the overflow pipe (24) from the entire periphery of the liquid coolant supply pipe (23).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread preparation process from silk proteins including an apparatus which is appropriate for performing the method. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the threads obtained therewith as well as the use thereof. The invention uses a diffusion unit leading to the production of high-quality silk threads with high yield.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing nanoparticles. A source of a carrier fluid is connected to an inlet of a flow conduit, such as an intravenous solution administration tube with injection ports, such that the carrier fluid flows through the conduit. A substance (e.g., a drug solution or other substance solution) is introduced into the conduit at a first location causing substance nanoparticles to form within and continue to flow thought he conduit. A stabilizer is introduced into the conduit at a second location to cause a stabilizing effect on the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the stabilizer may limit or deter agglomeration or growth of the nanoparticles, thereby limiting the size of the nanaparticles produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making substantially uniformly sized liposomes and other small particles are provided. Droplets of a first liquid are ejected into a laminar flow of a second liquid, each droplet having a volume of from 0.97V to 1.03V, where V is the mean droplet volume and 1 fL?V?50 nL, wherein the first and second liquids are no more than sparingly soluble in one another, and wherein the first liquid contains a solute dissolved, dispersed, or suspended therein; and the first liquid is then removed to form a plurality of substantially uniformly sized particles. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes liquid inlet and outlet channels, a plurality of transverse liquid channels extending from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet channel, a plurality of nozzles in liquid flow communication with the plurality of transverse liquid channels, one or more nozzle actuators coupled to the plurality of nozzles, and an evaporator coupled to the liquid outlet channel.

Abstract: The high-throughput fabrication of microparticles based on the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique for screening and optimizing microparticle formulations for particular characteristics allows for the preparation of multiple microparticle formulations in parallel. The system involves the formation of an emulsion containing aqueous bubbles with the payload in an organic phase containing the polymer or polymer blend being used for the microparticles. This first emulsion is then transferred to a larger aqueous phase, and a second waterin-oil-in water emulsion is formed. The organic solvent is then removed, and the resulting particles are optionally washed and/or freeze dried. The resulting microparticles are similar or better than microparticles prepared using the traditional one formulation at a time approach. The high-throughput fabrication of microparticles is particularly useful in optimizing microparticles formulations for drug delivery.

Abstract: Cryogranulation systems with improved dispenser assemblies are provided for use in manufacturing frozen pellets of pharmaceutical substances in a fluid medium. Methods of cryogranulating the pharmaceutical substance in the fluid medium are also provided. In particular embodiments, the dispenser assembly is used with suspensions or slurries of pharmaceutical compositions including biodegradable substances, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical substance can be adsorbed to any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier particles suitable for making pharmaceutical powders. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical carrier can be, for example, diketopiperazine-based microparticles. The dispenser assembly improves the physical characteristics of the cryopellets formed and minimizes product loss during processing.