Abstract: A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. Carbon aerogels can be coated with sol-gel silica and the silica can be converted to silicon carbide, improving the thermal stability of the carbon aerogel.

Abstract: Silicone polyethers and a process for preparation thereof wherein polyethers modified laterally with methylidene groups are reacted with hydrosiloxanes in a hydrosilylation reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dispersing method of a carbon nanotube comprising: the first step of mixing a carbon nanotube aggregate, a magnetic material and a dispersant; and the second step of applying a magnetic field to the mixture obtained in the first step to disperse the carbon nanotube aggregate, a dispersing apparatus of a carbon nanotube, and a carbon nanotube dispersion obtained thereby. A carbon nanotube aggregate can be more effectively dispersed without damaging a carbon nanotube by the dispersing method of a carbon nanotube according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: An aqueous colorant dispersion including a colorant (A), a polymer (B), and an aqueous liquid medium (I), wherein the polymer (B) is a copolymer including a hydrophilic structural unit and a hydrophobic structural unit, the content of the hydrophobic structural unit in the polymer (B) being more than 80% by mass but less than 100% by mass, the hydrophobic structural unit includes a hydrophobic structural unit (a) having an aromatic ring linked via a linking group to an atom included in the main chain of the polymer (B), the content of aromatic rings in the polymer (B) is 10% by mass or more but less than 20% by mass with respect to the mass of the polymer (B), the hydrophilic structural unit includes a hydrophilic structural unit (b) including an ionic group, and the polymer (B) includes a structural unit (c) different from the hydrophobic structural unit (a) and from the hydrophilic structural unit (b), the content of the structural unit (c) in the polymer (B) being more than 15% by mass but less than 90% by

Abstract: A fine polymer particle production method includes producing an emulsion in a liquid prepared by dissolving and mixing a polymer A and a polymer B in organic solvents in which a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer A and a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer B are formed as separate phases, and bringing it into contact with a poor solvent for the polymer A to precipitate the polymer A. This method serves for easy synthesis of fine polymer particles with a narrow particle size distribution and the method can be effectively applied to production of highly heat-resistant polymers that have been difficult to produce with the conventional methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating droplets with a high level of uniformity in liquid systems that present a low interfacial tension. This method and apparatus utilize the breakup of the dispersed phase in a controlled fashion by periodically varying the pressure that drives the fluids so as to successfully generate emulsions with a good control over the size. The method and apparatus can be used for the formation of simple emulsion or double emulsion where a larger droplet contains one or more smaller droplets.

Abstract: A method producing a surfactant from glycerol by converting glycerol, in a first step, to glycidol, polymerizing glycidol to an aliphatic alcohol and finally substituting a hydroxyl group with a substitute anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymatically hydrophobicised protein hydrolysates, their production and use, and to cosmetic preparations comprising these.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing crystalline carbon nanostructures and/or a network of crystalline carbon nanostructures, comprising: (i) providing a bicontinuous micro-emulsion containing metal nanoparticles having an average particle size between 1 and 100 nm; (ii) bringing said bicontinuous micro-emulsion into contact with a substrate; and (iii) subjecting said metal nanoparticles and a gaseous carbon source to chemical vapor deposition, thus forming carbon nanostructures and/or a network of carbon nanostructures. Therewith, it is now possible to obtain crystalline carbon nanostructures networks, preferably carbon nanotubes networks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to omega-3 diglyceride emulsions characterized in that the lipid phase comprises at least about 40 wt.-% of diglycerides. Preferably about 70 wt.-% of the acyl-groups of said diglycerides, are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) groups and/or docosahexaenoic (DHA) groups. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using the omega-3 diglyceride emulsions.

Abstract: An adhesion bond strength enhancer for cementitious adhesive mortar is disclosed. The adhesion enhancer improves bond strength between the mortar and relatively hydrophobic plastic material, such as extruded polystyrene boards and expanded polystyrene boards of the type generally employed in Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (“EIFS”). Preparation of non-caking, free-flowing, solid dialkyl sulfosuccinate compositions for use as the adhesion enhancer is also disclosed. The adhesion enhancer is attractive for large-scale application in mineral mortar dry-mixes or other solid construction materials. The invention can be used to improve the strength of an adhesive bond between a) gypsum based plaster or stucco and concrete or bricks, b) tile adhesives and concrete, and c) mineral mortars on polystyrene boards, among others.

Abstract: A process for recovering waste latex material from a manufacturing plant, treating the recovered waste latex material, and subsequently utilizing the recovered and treated waste latex material in a manufacturing plant. Waste latex material is recovered and treated to provide a fine, sand-like material that is suitable for reintroduction into a latex adhesive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a nanomaterial synthesis process from the decomposition and subsequent reaction among common and economical insoluble precursors, or precursors which hydrolyze in contact with water, which are incorporated in the internal phase of an emulsion. These insoluble precursors are introduced in the internal phase of an emulsion, then being subject to decomposition and subsequent reaction in the solid state, under shockwave effect during the detonation of the emulsion, the nanomaterial with the intended structure being in the end obtained. The process of the present invention therefore allows obtaining a wide range of nanomaterial as composites or binary, ternary structures or higher structures, with small-sized homogenous primary particles, applicable to several technological fields.

Abstract: Use of a Maillard reaction product as an adjuvant in a variety of applications including solid-liquid separations, corrosion inhibition, emulsification, dust suppression, slow release fertilization, viscosity modification and others and especially as a depressant or collector in separation processes, including the selective separation of solids and/or ionic species from aqueous media, such as in the process of froth flotation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for deparaffinizing paraffin-embedded biological samples for subsequent tissue staining. The compositions are microemulsions that may include water/oil/surfactant microemulsions, and optionally a cosurfactant. The microemulsions enable deparaffinization without the use of xylene or toluene, and also enable solvent exchange without the use of intermediary alcohol dehydration or alcohol rehydration compositions.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition capable of imparting surface effects to a liquid by contacting the liquid with a partially fluorinated phosphate with an ammonium cation (NH2R1R2)+ wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched organic groups containing at least one carboxylate moiety and one amino moiety, and optionally be substituted, interrupted, or both with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen-containing moieties, or with cyclic alkyl or aryl moieties containing up to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Use of a Maillard reaction product as an adjuvant in a variety of applications including solid-liquid separations, corrosion inhibition, emulsification, dust suppression, slow release fertilization, viscosity modification and others and especially as a depressant or collector in separation processes, including the selective separation of solids and/or ionic species from aqueous media, such as in the process of froth flotation.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that include electrokinetic pumping an emulsion comprising an ionic fluid and a nonpolar fluid to promote flow of the ionic fluid by electro-osmotic flow and drag the nonpolar fluid by viscous drag forces. In some examples, the electrokinetic pump may be utilized to deliver one or more reagents within a fluidic reactor system, such as a micro-scale reactor system. In some additional examples, a reagent may be dissolved in the nonpolar fluid of a first emulsion and pumped through the electrokinetic pump to a mixing channel to allow the reagent of the first emulsion to react with a reagent of second emulsion to form a reactive product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to omega-3 diglyceride emulsions characterized in that the lipid phase comprises at least about 40 wt.-% of diglycerides. Preferably about 70 wt. -% of the acyl-groups of said diglycerides, are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) groups and/or docosahexaenoic (DHA) groups. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using the omega-3 diglyceride emulsions.

Abstract: A mixing or dispersing element (1, 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70) includes a passage (2) in which an insertion element (3, 4. 33, 34) is arranged which contains a foam structure. A static mixing element (5, 6, 35, 36) for macro mixing or predispersing or macro dispersing is arranged in the passage (2) in addition to the insertion element (3, 4, 33, 34) for micro mixing or dispersing. Furthermore, a method is described of producing a dispersion using such a mixing or dispersing element.

Abstract: A process for the salt-free coagulation of polymer dispersions in a rotor/stator assembly is disclosed. The rotor/stator assembly includes a casing, a rotor shaft rotatably mounted within the casing, a rotor having a conical surface affixed to the rotor shaft, and a stator affixed to the casing and concentrically associated with the rotor. The conical surface faces a surface of the stator to form an adjustable shear gap, which is surrounded by an annular space. A polymer dispersion is fed into the assembly and conveyed through the shear gap. During this conveyance, the polymer dispersion is precipitated at a predetermined shear rate and a predetermined shear deformation. The polymer dispersion is discharged from the assembly through an outlet neck, and the assembly is flushed with water using one or more ports formed in at least one of a pipeline coupled to the axial feed neck, the stator, and the casing.

Abstract: The present invention is related to asphalt and asphalt-mineral compositions including at least one cationic organosilicon compound selected from a group consisting of: Y3-aSi(R1a)R2N+R3R4R5X?, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2P+R3R4R5X?, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2ZX?; or mixtures thereof, wherein in each formula Y is independently selected from a group consisting of OR, O(CH2CH2O)nH, (CH3OCH2CH2O), and (CH3CH2OCH2CH2O); a has a value selected from 0, 1 or 2; n is a value from 1 to 10; R is C1-C4 alkyl; R1 is either methyl or ethyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkylene group; R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from a group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl wherein at least one such group has more than 8 C-atoms, —CH2C6H5, —CH2CH2OH, —CH2OH and —(CH2)yNHC(O)R6 wherein y has a value of from 2 to 10 and R6 is a C1-C12 perfluoroalkyl radical; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate; and Z is pyridinium ring of formula C5H5N+.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making composite materials comprising combining particles of crosslinked rubber with coagulated aqueous polymer dispersions to form a mixture in aqueous dispersion, and subjecting the aqueous dispersion mixture to solid state shear pulverization to form materials that can be processed as thermoplastics at crosslinked rubber concentrations of from 10 to as high as 95 wt. %, based on the total solids of the material. The method may further comprise kneading the pulverized product to form useful articles, such as roofing membranes and shoe soles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making shapeable composites in the form of finely divided materials or articles and the materials and articles produced by the methods, the methods comprising forming mixtures by (i) treating an aqueous thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer to increase the particle size thereof to a weight average particle size of 1 ?m or more, and, optionally, dewatering to form a crumb mixture; and (ii) combining a thermoplastic acrylic or vinyl polymer with one or more waste rubber vulcanizate having a sieve particle size ranging from 10 to 600 ?m in the amount of from 15 to 95 wt. %, based on the total weight of polymer and rubber to form a crumb slurry, such that (ii) can take place before, during, after (i) but before any dewatering, or after any dewatering; and (iii) thermoplastic processing the mixture. Thermoplastic processing can directly form articles, like sheets or films. The shapeable composites have excellent adhesion to other materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making composite materials comprising combining particles of crosslinked rubber with one or more aqueous polymer dispersion of a suspension polymer to form a mixture in aqueous dispersion, and, optionally, subjecting the aqueous dispersion mixture to solid state shear pulverization to form materials that can be processed as thermoplastics at crosslinked rubber concentrations of from 10 to as high as 95 wt. %, based on the total solids of the material. The method may further comprise kneading and/or compression molding the pulverized product to form useful articles, such as roofing membranes and shoe soles.

Abstract: A process for recovering waste latex material from a manufacturing plant, treating the recovered waste latex material, and subsequently utilizing the recovered and treated waste latex material in a manufacturing plant. Waste latex material is recovered and treated to provide a fine, sand-like material that is suitable for reintroduction into a latex adhesive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for deparaffinizing paraffin-embedded biological samples for subsequent tissue staining. The compositions are microemulsions that may include water/oil/surfactant microemulsions, and optionally a cosurfactant. The microemulsions enable deparaffinization without the use of xylene or toluene, and also enable solvent exchange without the use of intermediary alcohol dehydration or alcohol rehydration compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of emulsifiers E1 which are obtained by (a) reacting a polyol with propylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, to give an intermediate Z1, (b) reacting the intermediate Z1 with epichlorohydrin, forming an intermediate Z2, (c) reacting the intermediate Z2 with an adduct of ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, with a C1-C22 monoalcohol, provided that on average at least one epoxide function of the intermediate Z2 is reacted and on average at least one epoxide function originating from the intermediate Z2 is retained. Compounds E1 are suitable as emulsifiers for preparing aqueous emulsions or dispersions of epoxy resins.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that include electrokinetic pumping an emulsion comprising an ionic fluid and a nonpolar fluid to promote flow of the ionic fluid by electro-osmotic flow and drag the nonpolar fluid by viscous drag forces. In some examples, the electrokinetic pump may be utilized to deliver one or more reagents within a fluidic reactor system, such as a micro-scale reactor system. In some additional examples, a reagent may be dissolved in the nonpolar fluid of a first emulsion and pumped through the electrokinetic pump to a mixing channel to allow the reagent of the first emulsion to react with a reagent of second emulsion to form a reactive product.

Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic C-glycoside derivatives, to methods of using them and to processes for synthesizing them. Specifically, the invention relates to novel cyclic and linear enone-glycolipids and cyclic ketone-glycolipids.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing and/or sorting biological materials (e.g., molecules such as polynucleotides and polypeptides, including proteins and enzymes; viruses and cells) and methods for its use are provided. The device and methods of the invention are useful for sorting particles, e.g. virions. The invention is also useful for high throughput screening, e.g. combinatorial screening. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and an inlet region in communication with the main channel at a droplet extrusion region. Droplets of solution containing the biological material are deposited into the main channel through the droplet extrusion region. A fluid different from and incompatible with the solution containing the biological material flows through the main channel so that the droplets containing the biological material do not diffuse or mix.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a demulsifying composition comprising a blend of a) an emulsion; and b) a demulsifying-effective amount of a non-crosslinked silicon polyether. The present invention also provides for a method for separating emulsions using the demulsifying composition discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsified composition containing a sphingosine represented by the following formula (1): (R1 represents a hydrocarbon group optionally having a substituent; Y represents methylene, methine or O; X1, X2 and X3 each represent H, OH or acetoxy group; X4 represents H, acetyl group or the like; R2, R3 each represents H, OH or the like; R represents H, amidino group or the like; and a stands for 2 or 3), (B) a C6-30 fatty acid, and (C) an oil component. This water-in-oil emulsified composition has excellent stability and provides a good feeling to skin upon use.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion that includes a brine continuous phase; and an oleaginous discontinuous phase stabilized by an emulsifier blend, the emulsifier blend comprising: an emulsifier having an HLB greater than 11; and an amphoteric chemotrope is disclosed. Emulsifier blends comprising an emulsifier having an HLB greater than 11 and an amphoteric chemotrope and methods of using emulsifier blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyglycerol alkyl ether nonionic surfactant which is a nonionic surfactant composed of polyglycerol alkyl ethers and has a polyglycerol monoalkyl ether content of 75 percent by weight or more and a polyglycerol dialkyl ether content of 5 percent by weight or less. This nonionic surfactant is an aliphatic nonionic surfactant, is thereby environmentally friendly, has a superior surface activity equivalent to those of aromatic nonionic surfactants, exhibits a superior emulsifying activity stably over time, and is satisfactorily usable in general purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sol of spinous silica-based particles in which silica-based particles having peculiar forms, spinous forms are dispersed in a solvent. The spinous silica-based particles have verrucous projections formed on surfaces of spherical silica-based particles. In the spinous particles, a value of the surface roughness (SA1/SA2, SA1 indicating a specific surface area measured by the BET method or the Sears method and SA2 indicating a specific surface area converted from an average particle diameter (D2) measured by the image analysis method) is in the range from 1.7 to 10. Furthermore the average diameter (D2) measured by the image analysis method is in the range from 7 to 150 nm.

Abstract: A hydrogel having a floatability where from 40% to 90% of a solution and/or suspension to be thickened are thickened starting from the surface of the liquid and the rest of the solution and/or suspension to be thickened is thickened starting from the bottom of the container, a process for preparing the hydrogel and also its use for absorbing blood and/or body fluids, especially in hygiene articles, or for thickening aqueous solutions and/or suspensions, especially for thickening medical wastes.

Abstract: Fluids and associated methods useful in subterranean applications are provided. More particularly, methods of reducing drill string sticking are provided, which include: providing a spotting fluid composition comprising a water insoluble external phase fluid, a water soluble internal phase fluid, and an ether carboxylic acid emulsifying agent; introducing the spotting fluid to the vicinity of a desired portion of a drill string; and allowing the spotting fluid to interact with a portion of material surrounding the desired portion of the drill string spotting fluid. Compositions are provided that may be useful in subterranean applications for addressing, among other things, drill string sticking problems. Additional optional components may be used, such as viscosifiers, weighting agents, and wetting agents.

Abstract: Fluids and associated methods useful in subterranean applications are provided. Compositions are provided that may be useful in subterranean applications for addressing, among other things, drill string sticking problems. More particularly, spotting fluid compositions are provided having a water insoluble external phase fluid; a water soluble internal phase fluid; and an ether carboxylic acid emulsifying agent. Additional optional components may be used, such as viscosifiers, weighting agents, and wetting agents.

Abstract: A continuous phase liquid and a dispersed phase liquid are permitted to flow together through a co-flow channel. Preferably, the dispersed phase liquid is arranged to flow within the flowing body of the continuous phase liquid in the co-flow channel so that the dispersed phase liquid is sheathed by the continuous phase liquid. The continuous phase and dispersed phase liquids are comminuted into microparticles in the co-flow channel by intermittently blocking the co-flow channel.

Abstract: An emulsion including a continuous phase, a discontinuous phase which is immiscible in the continuous phase, and optionally a surfactant, the surfactant has a first part which is compatible with the continuous phase and a second part which is compatible with the discontinuous phase. The continuous phase has a high volume resistivity and the discontinuous phase is electrically charged. The discontinuous phase can be a reagent, a solvent which carries an active chemical reagent or a carrier liquid for a solid or insoluble liquid dispersed in the discontinuous phase. The surfactant, if present, is selected to not significantly reduce the volume resistivity of the continuous phase. The emulsion can also include a charge control agent. The emulsions can be used for the electrostatically controlled placement of matter in a spatially defined manner from the discontinuous phase for combinatorial chemistry and micrometer and nanometer scale deposition with or without reaction.

Abstract: There is described a method for forming an emulsion (1) containing at least one dispersed phase (3) and a continuous phase (2) in a fluidic microsystem (100), said method comprising the steps: forming flows (4, 5) of different liquids which flow towards a dispersion region (10), and forming the emulsion (1) from the liquids in the dispersion region (10), wherein the flows (4, 5) run through a common channel (20) to the dispersion region (10) and the flows (4, 5) are arranged next to one another relative to a first reference direction, and wherein the emulsion (1) is produced as the liquids flow through a cross-sectional widening (11) provided in the dispersion region (10), at which the cross section of the channel (20) widens in a second reference direction different from the first reference direction. A fluidic microsystem for forming an emulsion (1) containing a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3) is also described. A fusion of droplets in electric fields is also described.

Abstract: Suppression or enhancement of various properties of a liquid fluid is aimed by improving uniform dispersion of nanoparticles by means of making a state in which no oxidized film exists on the surfaces of the nanoparticles to be dispersed in the liquid fluid. The location of the liquid fluid is confirmed with ease by enhancing the brightness of light emission of the fluid through uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles in the liquid fluid containing a material having a flame reaction. In this way, as to liquid fluids utilized in various industries, it is possible to offer a technology to desirably enhance or suppress a property desired to be enhanced and a property desired to be suppressed among various properties that its constituents have.

Abstract: Ethanolamine glyceryl ether condensation products of the formula (I) are described, in which R1, R2 and R3 may each independently be the same or different and are each hydrogen, a linear or branched, saturated alkyl chain having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a linear or branched unsaturated alkenyl group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, —CH2—CH2—OH or a radical of the formula (II), with the proviso that at least one of the R1, R2 and R3 radicals is a radical of the formula (II) and at least one further radical of the R1, R2 and R3 radicals is selected from —CH2—CH2—OH and radicals of the formula (II), wherein (O-A), (O-D), R4, R5, a, b, d, and e are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Reactor for carrying out chemical and physical materials transformations, which comprises a reaction space enclosed by a reactor housing, where the reactor housing has at least two lateral fluid inlets having adjustably mounted nozzles which include an angle of about 20-160 degrees and through which fluid jets which impinge on one another at a common collision point within the reaction space are passed and the reactor has a fluid outlet at the bottom of the reaction space, which is characterized in that—an exchangeable bottom plate•which has a hole as fluid outlet and•on which moveably supported spheres are located so as to block the original path of the individual fluid jets in the unaligned state rests on the bottom of the reaction space and—a half shell standing upright on the bottom of the reaction space is located between each moveably supported sphere and the wall of the reactor space and—bottom plate, half shell and moveably supported spheres comprise one or more hard materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new organodisilanes or carbodisilanes, a process for manufacturing the same and their use, in particular, as surface active agents, especially as spreading agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a nano-sized material such as in the form of a colloidal suspension of nano-sized particles and/or as a coating and/or as a thin film comprised by such nano-sized particles on the surface of a substrate. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A surfactant of formula 1 (Rf-A)a-Q-([B]k—R)b??Formula 1 wherein a and b are each independently 1 or 2; Rf is a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl radical having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted with at least one oxygen; R is a C1 to C20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, or a C6 to C10 aryl; B is —(CH2CHR1O)x—, k is 0 or 1, x is 1 to about 20, A is —(CH2)m[(CHR1CH2O)]s—[(CH2)m(CH)tCHOH(CH2)m]e—, wherein each m is independently 0 to 3, s is 0 to about 30, t is 0 or 1, and e is 0 or 1, R1 is H or CH3, Q is: —OP(O)(O?M+)(O)—, —O—, —S—(CH2)m—C(O)—O—, —SO2—O— —CH2CH2O—C(O)CH2C(OH)(V)CH2C(O)O—; —(CH2CH2O)xCH2CH(OH)—(CH2CH2O)x—(CH2)m—Si[OSi(R2)3]2—, —SO2NR2—, —(CH2CH2O)zC(O)CH(SO3?M+)CH2C(O)(OCH2CH2)z— wherein z is 1 to about 15, or a bond when s is a positive integer, V is —C(O)OR3 and R3 is H, CH3 or Rf; R2 is C1 to C4 alkyl, and M+ is a Group 1 metal or an ammonium (NHxR2y)+ cation wherein x+y=4, and R2 is C1 to C4 alkyl, provided that when Q is —OP(O)(O?M+)(O)— or when Q is —(

Abstract: A polymeric dispersant having an affinity with a supercritical fluid is provided, in which a substituent having an affinity with a supercritical fluid is attached to the terminal end of a block copolymer. The polymeric dispersant can disperse a dispersoid to particulate size by lowering surface tension between the dispersoid and the supercritical fluid to promote diffusion of the supercritical fluid into the dispersoid.

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.