Abstract: An optical modulator includes a first layer that is transparent or semitransparent over a range of optical wavelengths; a modulation layer made from nanoparticles embedded in a matrix; a first electrode and a second electrode that create an electrical field that passes through the modulation layer. A method for forming a nanoparticle modulator includes obtaining and preparing a substrate; forming sub-layers on the substrate; forming a nanoparticle modulator layer, where the nanoparticle modulator layer is an electrical insulator and has a thickness of less than the wavelength of light the nanoparticle QCSE modulator is designed to modulate.

Abstract: A method for preparing highly dense functional oxides with crystallite size in the range of 10-20 nm. Using a high pressure modification of a the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique, rapid thermal cycles (<10 min) coupled with very rapid pressure increase up to 1 GPa can be obtained allowing high degree of compaction and very limited grain growth. This combination of techniques was employed to produce the finest-grained ceramics ever prepared in bulk form in the case of fully stabilized zirconia and Sm-doped Ceria.

Abstract: The ultrafine particle producing process introduces materials for producing ultrafine particles into a thermal plasma flame under reduced pressure to form a vapor-phase mixture, introduces a reactive gas and a cooling gas toward an end portion of the thermal plasma flame in supply amounts sufficient for quenching the vapor-phase mixture to generate the ultrafine particles and allows the resultant ultrafine particles to come into contact with the reactive gas so as to produce the ultrafine particles whose surfaces are coated with a thin film including one or more components compound derived from decomposition and/or reaction of the reactive gas, for example, an elementary carbon substance and/or a carbon. According to the process, thin film-coated ultrafine particles having high level uniformity in particle size and shape can be produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoscale rutile or oxide powder that is obtained by producing amorphous TiO2 by mixing an alcoholic solution with a titanium alcoholate and with an aluminum alcohalate and adding water and acid. The amorphous, aluminum-containing TiO2 is isolated by removing the solvent, and is redispersed in water in the presence of a tin salt. Thermal or hydrothermal post-processing yields rutile or oxide that can be redispersed to primary particle size. The n-rutile or the obtained oxide having a primary particle size ranging between 5 and 20 nm can be incorporated into all organic matrices so that they remain transparent. Photocatalytic activity is suppressed by lattice doping with trivalent ions. If the amorphous precursor is redispersed in alcohol, or not isolated, but immediately crystallized, an anatase is obtained that can be redispersed to primary particle size.

Abstract: The present invention includes pure single-crystalline metal oxide and metal fluoride nanostructures, and methods of making same. These nanostructures include nanorods and nanoarrays.

Abstract: Metal and semiconductor nanoshells, particularly transition metal nanoshells, are fabricated using dendrimer molecules. Metallic colloids, metallic ions or semiconductors are attached to amine groups on the dendrimer surface in stabilized solution for the surface seeding method and the surface seedless method, respectively. Subsequently, the process is repeated with additional metallic ions or semiconductor, a stabilizer, and NaBH4 to increase the wall thickness of the metallic or semiconductor lining on the dendrimer surface. Metallic or semiconductor ions are automatically reduced on the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles causing the formation of hollow metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles. The void size of the formed hollow nanoparticles depends on the dendrimer generation. The thickness of the metallic or semiconductor thin film around the dendrimer depends on the repetition times and the size of initial metallic or semiconductor seeds.

Abstract: A mixing reactor for mixing efficiently streams of fluids of differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, one of the fluids is supercritical water, and the other is an aqueous salt solution. Thus, the reactor enables the production of metal oxide nanoparticles as a continuous process, without any risk of the reactor blocking due to the inefficient mixing inherent in existing reactor designs.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a fine powder of diamond particles of less than 50 nm with a narrow particle size range. The diamond is single crystalline and characterized with a lot of sharp edges and sharp points. Another object is to provide a method for efficiently producing such fine powder. The method comprises mechanically crushing a raw material of single crystalline diamond particles to prepare starting minute particles of diamond, then imparting hydrophilic quality to the surface of diamond particles. As hydrophilic the diamond particles are dispersed in water to form a slurry, which is set and kept weakly alkaline. The slurry is then subjected to a preliminary grading step, whereby the slurry is removed of a top particle size fraction of the diamond particles that has a D50 size of 60 nm or more. Eliminated of said top particle size fraction, the slurry is then diluted with water to regulate the diamond concentration to 0.1% (by weight) or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making silica nanoparticles using a flame reactor, which includes a droplet spray having a two-fluid nozzle and a burner of a quintuple tube structure. In this method, droplets of silicon alkoxide as liquid Si compound are sprayed through the droplet spray of the flame reactor. A flame is generated by the flow of inert gas, oxygen, hydrogen and air simultaneously into the burner of the flame reactor. The liquid Si compound is delivered through the flame of the burner to produce silica nanoparticles having a mean particle size ranging from 9 nm to 68 nm. Resultant nanoparticles are collected and recovered in a particle collector. The droplets sprayed under high pressure from a silicon alkoxide solution are directly oxidized in the flame, thereby producing spherical silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing amorphous atorvastatin calcium nanoparticles using a supercritical fluid process. Specifically, the method comprising the steps of: a) dissolving atorvastatin calcium in an organic solvent with/without a hydrophilic additive to prepare a drug solution; b) introducing the drug solution and carbon dioxide into a reactor, which maintains carbon dioxide at supercritical conditions, to produce atorvastatin calcium particles; and c) introducing carbon dioxide into the reactor to wash the particles through removal of the remaining organic solvent. The amorphous atorvastatin calcium prepared according to the method of the present invention has a particle size of nanometer order, large surface area and high solubility shows improved bioavailability, and thus can be formulated as various preparations for oral administration.

Abstract: A method for introducing one or more impurities into nano-structured materials. The method includes providing a nanostructured material having a feature size of about 100 nm and less. The method includes subjecting a surface region of the nanostructured material to one or more impurities to form a first region having a first impurity concentration within a vicinity of the surface region. In a specific embodiment, the method includes applying a driving force to one or more portions of at least the nanostructured material to cause the first region to form a second region having a second impurity concentration.

Abstract: Decomposition of methane to produce carbon monoxide-free hydrogen is accomplished using un-supported, nanometer sized, hydrogen reduced, nickel oxide particles made by a precipitation process. A nickel compound, such as NiCl2 or Ni(NO3) is dissolved in water and suitably precipitated as nickel hydroxide. The precipitate is separated, dried and calcined to form the NiO catalyst precursor particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods by which carbon nanotubes can be functionalized under solvent-free conditions. As extremely large quantities are typically required to dissolve or disperse carbon nanotubes, solvent elimination the processes more favorable for scale-up. Such processes are also amenable to a wide variety of chemical reactions are functionalizing agents.

Abstract: A kinetically controlled vapor reaction process for synthesizing silica areogel in a reaction container by injection of a precursor reagent vapor, a catalyst reagent vapor, super saturated steam as a component of the catalyst solution, and a hydrophobic reagent vapor amd continuously mixing vapor droplets of the precursor, catalyst and water reagents in a super saturated state to continuously nucleate in a hydrolysis/poly-condensation reaction and deposit as silica aerogel.

Abstract: A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures, includes in one embodiment, providing a substrate, providing a template having a plurality of pores on the substrate, and removing portions of the substrate under the plurality of pores of the template to form a plurality of cavities. A catalyst is provided in the plurality of cavities in the substrate, and the pores of the template are widened to expose the substrate around the catalyst so that the catalyst is spaced from the sides of the plurality of pores of the template. A plurality of elongated nanostructures is grown from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the pores of the template.

Abstract: Monodisperse nanoparticles are prepared with a high degree of reproducibility by controlling pH in size-selective photoetching. The nanoparticles have uniform optical properties and other properties.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a sensor or a NEMS. The electronic device comprises at least one substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate; and at least one nano-wire growing from an edge of a first electrode to an edge of a second electrode. A method for making an electrode structure by providing a substrate; forming a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; growing at least one nano-wire from the edge of a first electrode; and connecting the at least one nano-wire to the edge of a second electrode is also disclosed.