Abstract: Disclosed are an improved guide device capable of being easily replaced for damage, and a detector having the same. The guide device includes a first plate configured to have a plurality of grooves disposed in one surface thereof; and a second plate configured to be in contact with the first plate, wherein the second plate is in contact with the first plate to separate a plurality of channels, wherein the first plate is configured so that the plurality of microdroplets pass through any one of the plurality of channels, the fluid passes through channels facing each other among the plurality of flow channels, and the microdroplets are regularly spaced apart by the fluid that is discharged from the channels facing each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the field of energy materials, and relates to a preparation method of a solid electrolyte, in particular to a method for forming a membrane by using an electrolyte to activate a porous powder material prepared by in-situ polymerization of a polymer on the surfaces of cellulose nanocrystals, and then hot-pressing. According to the technical solution of the present disclosure, cellulose nanocrystals are used as templates, the powder material with a porous structure is prepared by in-situ polymerization growth of the polymer on the surfaces of the cellulose nanocrystals, a small amount of electrolyte is used to activate the powder, and the solid electrolyte is prepared by hot-pressing membrane formation. The solid electrolyte prepared by the present disclosure has excellent electrochemical performance and mechanical performance, and a broad application prospect.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel screw elements for multi-screw extruders with screw profiles co-rotating in pairs and being fully self-wiping in pairs, to the use of the screw elements in multi-screw extruders and to a process for extruding plastic compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing polymer agglomerates, comprising a compounder (2) having a housing (21) and a twin screw (22) arranged therein as well as a plurality of material inlets (3, 4) for admission of a polymer and additives, tempering units for heating the mix comprising polymer and additives, at least one degassing unit (5) and an outlet (23) and an agglomerating vessel (11) having an agglomerating tool (8) and a cooling tool (10). The agglomerating vessel (11) is connected via a connection channel (6) to the outlet (23) of the compounder (2), wherein the twin screw (22) of the compounder (2) is designed as a co-rotating twin Screw (22) and the agglomerating tool (8) of the agglomerating vessel (11) is arranged in the fall direction of the mix below the connection channel (6) and comprises mutually engaging rotors (81) and stators (82) for producing agglomerates of defined particle size. The invention further relates to a method for producing polymer agglomerates.

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 reactor for conducting vapor phase deposition process is disclosed. The reactor includes a reactive precursor reservoir beneath a powder reservoir and separated from it by valve means. A reactive precursor is charged into the reactive precursor reservoir and a powder is charged into the powder reservoir. The pressures are adjusted so that the pressure in the reactive precursor reservoir is higher than that of the powder reservoir. The valve means is opened, and the vapor phase reactant fluidized the powder and coats its surface. The powder falls into the reactive precursor reservoir. The apparatus permits vapor phase deposition processes to be performed semi-continuously.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for forming particles or droplets of at least one substance comprising the steps of providing a foamed medium, which foamed medium comprises said substance, and forming particles or droplets of said substance at least partly by electrostatic processing. The use of foamed medium in electrostatic processing enables higher production speeds and increases the evenness of a coating layer formed by electrospinning or electrospraying the particles or droplets on a substrate.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a synthetic organ suitable for transplantation into a biological organism is provided. This synthetic organ includes a three-dimensional polymer scaffold, wherein the shape and dimensions of the polymer scaffold are based on a native organ, wherein the polymer scaffold further includes at least one layer of polymer fibers that have been deposited by electrospinning, and wherein the orientation of the fibers in the scaffold relative to one another is generally parallel, random, or both; and wherein the polymer scaffold has been preseeded with at least one type of biological cell prior to implantation into a biological organism, and wherein the at least one type of biological cell is operative to facilitate integration of the polymer scaffold into the organism so that the polymer scaffold may function in a manner significantly similar to or the same as the native organ.

Abstract: A method for producing fine particles, including: discharging a fine particle material liquid, where solid materials to be formed into fine particles are dissolved or dispersed in a solvent or are melted, from two or more discharge holes in a downward vertical direction, to thereby form liquid droplets; and solidifying the liquid droplets discharged to form fine particles, wherein in the discharging a fine particle material liquid, gas flow is supplied at angle of greater than 0° but 90° or smaller to the downward vertical direction, and wherein an initial discharge velocity of the liquid droplets discharged from the discharge hole located at an upstream side of the gas flow in a flowing direction thereof is equal to or higher than an initial discharge velocity of the liquid droplets discharged from the discharge hole located at a downstream side of the gas flow in the flowing direction thereof.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for forming powder are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber having a head plate and an array of aerosol and burner nozzles attached to the head plate for generating aerosols and flames respectively. Powder is produced by atomizing a liquid composition to project an aerosol of droplets into the chamber and heating the aerosol with flames projected by the burner nozzles.

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: A system for metal powder atomisation comprising a refractory lined melting furnace (1) configured to melt metal into a liquid metal bath (6), in which furnace (1) a drain (3) is arranged for draining liquid metal from the bottom of the furnace. The drain (3) is configured to be closed by a stopping member. The system comprises an atomisation chamber (2) configured to receive and atomise liquid metal from the melting furnace (1). The system also comprises removal means controllable from the bottom region of the furnace (1) for removing the stopping member without interfering with the surface of the liquid metal bath (6). The removal means and the stopping member are configured such that the stopping member is removable independently of the temperature of the liquid metal bath (6) using the removal means.

Abstract: Provided is a metal ball fabricating apparatus for fabricating a metal ball by melting a material. The metal ball fabricating apparatus includes: a fabricating unit configured to fabricate a metal ball; and a collecting unit configured to collect the metal ball. The fabricating unit includes: a chamber configured to receive and store a material; a heating unit configured to apply heat to melt the material in the chamber; an orifice disposed at a lower portion of the chamber to which a metal ball droplet drops; a piston disposed over the orifice to generate a metal ball droplet; and a purifying system configured to remove a foreign substance from the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a nicotinamide powder, comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of nicotinamide and spray drying the solution. The invention also relates to a nicotinamide powder, devices for its production and uses.

Abstract: A droplet formation device 1 includes: a base member 2 formed of stacked substrates including a middle substrate 21 and a lower substrate 23; a passage structure 211 formed on the middle substrate 21 and including droplet formation passages through which a liquid dispersed-phase material and a liquid continuous-phase material flow to form droplets of the dispersed-phase material using a shear force of the continuous-phase material; a liquid storage part 231 formed on the lower substrate 23 and storing the liquid dispersed-phase material 200 and the liquid of the continuous-phase material 100; dispersed-phase material supply parts through which the liquid dispersed-phase material 200 is supplied from the liquid storage part 231 to the droplet formation passages of the passage structure 211; and continuous-phase material supply parts through which the continuous-phase material 100 is supplied from the liquid storage part 231 to the droplet formation passages of the passage structure 211.

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: Systems and methods in which the flow of fluid is electrically driven, including electrospinning and electrospraying systems and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: Method of spray-drying a high-viscosity fluid, e.g. comprising a food product. The method comprises providing a nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle is provided, said nozzle plate having an inner main surface and an outer main surface. The method comprises providing the high-viscosity fluid in a reservoir that is in fluidum connection with the at least one nozzle. The method comprises pressurizing the high-viscosity fluid in the reservoir, wherein the fluid flows, as a result of said pressurizing, towards the nozzle plate, thus creating a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle so that the fluid flows out of the at least one nozzle, thereby passing the outer main surface after passing the inner main surface. A cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface exceeds a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a material comprising one or more semiconductive substances is vaporized to generate a vapor phase condensate. The vapor phase condensate is allowed to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are annealed to yield substantially spherical nanoparticles.

Abstract: A plasma device for production of metal powder includes a reaction vessel, a plasma torch, a carrier gas supply unit and a cooling tube. A metal starting material is supplied to the vessel. The torch produces plasma between the torch and the metal starting material to evaporate the metal starting material and produce a metal vapor. The supply unit supplies into the vessel a carrier gas for carrying the metal vapor. The cooling tube is provided with indirect and direct cooling sections and cools the metal vapor transferred from the vessel to produce the metal powder. The metal vapor and/or the metal powder are indirectly cooled in the indirect cooling section and directly cooled in the direct cooling section. A projection and/or a recess are disposed at least on a part of an inner wall of the indirect cooling section.

Abstract: A spinneret is used to reduce filament breakage during spinning of multifilament yarn being stretched at a high stretch ratio. The spinneret has a first group of spinning holes with capillaries and a second group of spinning holes with capillaries. The capillaries of the second group of spinning holes have a lower length to diameter (L/D) ratio than the capillaries of the first group of spinning holes. All of the capillaries have the same diameter, which is 100 ?m or less.

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 method of producing fibres includes continuously drawing a fibre out of a solution, and pulling it to a rotary set of n electrodes by means of an electrostatic field. The individual electrodes of the set are arranged at regular spacing to each other and at the same distance from the set's rotation axis, and parallel with it. The fibre is wound on the set of electrodes by rotating the set of electrodes. The electrostatic field is disconnected and rotation of the set of electrodes is stopped. A layer of the fibres formed in the field between two adjacent electrodes is removed. The rotating set of electrodes turns through an angle of 360/n, the layer of the fibres formed between two adjacent electrodes in the field adjacent to the field from which the layer was removed, is removed, and this step is repeated in total n-times.

Abstract: A particulate production apparatus, including a droplet discharger to discharge a liquid including a particulate element which is solidified to become a particulate; and a pressure controller to feed the liquid including a particulate element to the droplet discharger at a pressure within a desired range.

Abstract: A melt spinning device produces a plurality of multi-filament threads which includes a spinning apparatus, a cooling apparatus, a drawing apparatus and a winding apparatus. The drawing apparatus has a plurality of godet units entwined by threads, each of said units having a plurality of godets, which are axially rectified to a coil spindle of the winding device. The transition of the threads as yarn from the drawing device to the winding device is executed by a guide godet which is aligned axially crosswise to the godets of the godet units and under the drawing device, so that the threads can be guided by simple partial wrapping after rotation of the thread running plane of the yarn by 90°.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing 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. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.

Abstract: Methods of and devices for forming edge chamfers and through holes and slots on a material that is machined using a laser, such as an ultrafast laser. The shaped material has predetermined and highly controllable geometric shape and/or surface morphology. Further, a method of and a device for preventing re-deposition of the particles on a material that is machined using a laser, such as an ultrafast laser. A fluid is used to wash off the particles generated during the laser machining process. The fluid can be in a non-neutral condition, with one or more chemical salts added, or a condition allowing the coagulation of the particles in the fluid, such that the particles can be precipitated to avoid the reattachment to the machined substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for fabricating an antimicrobial hybrid material of a natural antimicrobial particle and a carbon nanomaterial, capable of fully utilizing the antimicrobial property of a natural antimicrobial material and a carbon nanomaterial by maximizing adsorption of the natural antimicrobial material on the carbon nanomaterial.

Abstract: Embodiments of a continuous-flow injection reactor and a method for continuous material synthesis are disclosed. The reactor includes a mixing zone unit and a residence time unit removably coupled to the mixing zone unit. The mixing zone unit includes at least one top inlet, a side inlet, and a bottom outlet. An injection tube, or plurality of injection tubes, is inserted through the top inlet and extends past the side inlet while terminating above the bottom outlet. A first reactant solution flows in through the side inlet, and a second reactant solution flows in through the injection tube(s). With reference to nanoparticle synthesis, the reactant solutions combine in a mixing zone and form nucleated nanoparticles. The nucleated nanoparticles flow through the residence time unit. The residence time unit may be a single conduit, or it may include an outer housing and a plurality of inner tubes within the outer housing.

Abstract: Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The tank may also he used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members.

Abstract: The variable hydraulic press and distillation reservoir process scientific formula non ionic or electrolyte mechanically refined and nanoparticle dispersion preform slurry extrusion with or without ionic suspension Preform slurry high wear-heat resistant parts electronic composite coils, windings, annealing, drawn, spun, coils, windings, wire, woven textile mesh, shielding, parts brushes, inductors, antinode couplers, electric rheostats, starters, motors, alternators, generators, ionic suspension enhanced composite coils, composite windings, spun wound coils and windings beryllium Be4, magnesium Mg12, copper Cu29 and carbon nanofoam C6, electronic parts capacitors, ionic suspension circuit battery cells, electronic parts rheostats, resistors, transformers, transducers, rectifiers, power supplies, or heat sinks Preform slurry high wear-heat resistant parts aerospace, automotive, and transportation brake calipers, rotors, pads, and bushings Preform slurry non ionic or electrolyte mechanically refined and nanopa

Abstract: Elevated temperature electrospinning apparatus comprises a pump upstream of or containing a resistance heater, means to shield applied electrostatic field from the resistance heater, and a temperature modulator for modulating temperature in the spinning region.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a toner, including a liquid droplet-forming unit configured to discharge a toner composition liquid containing at least a resin and a colorant at a uniform discharge speed from a plurality of discharge holes some of which have different shapes from each other to thereby form liquid droplets, and a particle-forming unit configured to solidify the liquid droplets of the toner composition liquid to thereby form particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a toner, including ejecting a toner composition liquid containing at least a resin and a colorant periodically from a plurality of nozzles into a chamber using a vibration unit, so as to form droplets in a gas phase; and solidifying the droplets, wherein the droplets are transported by transport air flow selected from at least one of vertical downward air flow and rotational air flow, and the method can prevent toner particles from aggregation.

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two vertically stacked and heated calender rolls through application of the polyolefin powder to the apex of the topmost of the two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip until a coherent sheet of polyolefin sheet is produced: and c) once a coherent polyolefin sheet exits the nip adjusting the temperature in the nip to obtain specific tensile and elongation properties. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel technology for forming fine particles with a size of 0.0˜23 microns from a solid that can be dissolved in a liquid solvent and is not decomposed by heat. The particle preparation technology according to the present invention may be applicable to the fields of food, cosmetics, biopolymer, polymer compositions, and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The particulate material production method includes vibrating a particulate material composition liquid in a liquid column resonance chamber having at least one nozzle to form a standing wave in the particulate material composition liquid caused by liquid column resonance, so that droplets of the particulate material composition liquid are ejected in a droplet ejection direction from the nozzle so as to fly in a space in a flight direction; feeding a gas in a direction substantially perpendicular to the droplet ejection direction to change the flight direction of the ejected droplets; and solidifying the droplets in the space to produce a particulate material. The particulate material composition liquid includes at least a solvent and a component of the particulate material dissolved or dispersed in the solvent, and the nozzle is located at a location corresponding to an anitnode of the standing wave.

Abstract: A collector device of a non-woven fabric manufacturing apparatus electrostatically attracts and stacks fibers charged at a first electrical polarity on a front surface of a base sheet. The collector device comprises an electrode disposed to face a back surface of the base sheet at a distance, the electrode is supplied with a voltage having a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity or grounded, and a plurality of charge holding members positioned between the base sheet and the electrode. The charge holding members serially come in contact with and get away from the back surface of the base sheet at random.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for devices, methods for forming non-spherical particles, and the like.

Abstract: A method of production of Zinc dust which includes melting Zinc products in a melting furnace on a semi-continuous basis, transferring at least a part of the molten Zinc products to a vaporizing furnace, vaporizing the molten Zinc in the vaporizing furnace into Zinc vapour on a substantially continuous basis, transferring Zinc vapour from the vaporizing furnace to a condenser, and condensing the Zinc vapour to form Zinc dust.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming particles from a liquid, including a rotor assembly having at least one surface sized and shaped so as to define at least one capillary. Each capillary has an inner region adjacent an axis of rotation of the rotor assembly, an outer region distal from the axis of rotation, and an edge adjacent the outer region. The rotor assembly is configured to be rotated at an angular velocity selected such that when the liquid is received in the inner region of the at least one capillary, the liquid will move from the inner region to the outer region, adopt an unsaturated condition on the at least one surface such that the liquid flows as a film along the at least one surface and does not continuously span the capillary, and, upon reaching the edge, separates from the at least one surface to form at least one particle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for application of liquid polymeric material onto the active spinning zone of the cord of the spinning member of the spinning electrode, where the application means moving reversibly along the active spinning zone of the cord in the device for production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of liquid material in electrostatic field of high intensity between at least one spinning electrode and against it arranged collecting electrode. The liquid polymeric material is applied onto the cord around its whole circumference without any contact with gaseous environment in the spinning space, where the application means reversibly moves, whereas while the cord is leaving the application means the thickness of the layer of the liquid polymeric material is being reduced and immediately after leaving the application means the process of electrostatic spinning of the liquid polymeric material applied on the cord is started.

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.

Abstract: A control method for a target supply device includes melting a target material by heating the target material within a target generator using a heating unit, pushing out the target material from a nozzle hole in a nozzle by pressurizing the interior of the target generator using a pressure control unit, determining whether or not the size of an adhering area of the target material that forms when the target material is pushed out from the nozzle hole and adheres to a leading end of the nozzle has reached a set size that covers the entire nozzle hole, stopping the pressurization of the interior of the target generator by the pressure control unit when the size of the adhering area has reached the set size, and hardening the target material in the target generator and the adhering area by stopping the heating of the target material by the heating unit.

Abstract: A particulate material production apparatus is disclosed. The particulate material production apparatus includes a droplet ejector to eject droplets of a particulate material composition liquid or a melted particulate material composition in a droplet ejection direction from nozzles; a solidifying device to solidify the droplets; a first airflow forming device to form a first airflow to feed the ejected droplets to the solidifying device with the first airflow; and a second airflow forming device to form a second airflow to apply the second airflow the droplets before the droplets are fed by the first airflow. The second airflow forming device forms the second airflow by supplying a pressed gas from a slit, and the traveling direction of the first airflow is substantially perpendicular to the droplet ejection direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing polymer agglomerates, comprising a compounder (2) having a housing (21) and a twin screw (22) arranged therein as well as a plurality of material inlets (3, 4) for admission of a polymer and additives, tempering units for heating the mix comprising polymer and additives, at least one degassing unit (5) and an outlet (23) and an agglomerating vessel (11) having an agglomerating tool (8) and a cooling tool (10). The agglomerating vessel (11) is connected via a connection channel (6) to the outlet (23) of the compounder (2), wherein the twin screw (22) of the compounder (2) is designed as a co-rotating twin Screw (22) and the agglomerating tool (8) of the agglomerating vessel (11) is arranged in the fall direction of the mix below the connection channel (6) and comprises mutually engaging rotors (81) and stators (82) for producing agglomerates of defined particle size. The invention further relates to a method for producing polymer agglomerates.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing finely powdered spherical magnesium includes a gas compressor that compresses argon gas, a gas heating unit that heats the compressed argon gas, and a tundish that receives molten magnesium. The device further includes a reactor having a nozzle injection unit that injects heated argon gas into the reactor, a recovery unit that recovers magnesium powder produced in the reactor, and a first gas cooler that cools the argon gas passing through the recovery unit. The device further includes a filtering unit that filters the cooled argon gas, a buffer tank that receives the filtered argon gas, and a compression blower that adiabatically compresses the argon gas. The device further includes a second gas cooler that cools the compressed argon gas, an adiabatic expansion duct that adiabatically expands the cooled argon gas, supplies the expanded argon gas to the reactor, and cools the magnesium powder.

Abstract: A method for producing particles, including: bringing a compressive fluid into contact with a pressure plastic material, so as to produce a melt of the pressure plastic material; and discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material by differential pressure to a space, so as to form particles, wherein the discharging includes at least one of (A) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material while a compressive fluid is supplied to the melt of the pressure plastic material, and (B) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material through one or more through-holes, to which vibration is applied, so as to change the shape of the melt of the pressure plastic material from a columnar shape, through the columnar shape with constrictions, into a particle shape.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing 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. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane-spinning nozzle that spins a hollow fiber membrane having a porous membrane layer and a support is provided in which the nozzle includes a resin flow channel through which a membrane-forming resin solution forming the porous membrane layer flows, the resin flow channel includes a liquid storage section that stores the membrane-forming resin solution and a shaping section that shapes the membrane-forming resin solution in a cylindrical shape and satisfies at least one of conditions (a) to (c): (a) the resin flow channel is disposed to cause the membrane-forming resin solution to branch and merge; (b) a delay means for delaying the flow of the membrane-forming resin solution is disposed in the resin flow channel; and (c) the liquid storage section or the shaping section includes branching and merging means for the membrane-forming resin solution therein.