Disclosed herein are methods for making glass, comprising forming a slurry comprising at least one fining agent; adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value ranging from about 3 to about 12; combining the slurry with glass batch materials to form a batch composition; and melting the batch composition. Methods for reducing agglomerates in a glass melt are also disclosed herein. Further disclosed herein are systems for making glass, the systems comprising a pre-mixing vessel for preparing a slurry comprising at least one fining agent; an ultrasonic vessel for applying ultrasonic energy to the slurry; a mixing vessel for combining the slurry with glass batch materials to form a batch composition; and a melting vessel for melting the batch composition.

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for treating skin. In some embodiments, the method uses an exfoliation tool. In some embodiments, the method uses an exfoliation tool together with selected skin care agents or compositions.

The invention provides an organic solvent dispersion of titanium oxide particles in a content of 10% by weight or more in an organic solvent except methanol and ethanol, wherein the titanium oxide particles are surface-treated with a surface treating agent comprising a silane coupling agent having the general formula (I)
(RO).sub.nSiX.sub.4-n(I)
wherein R is an alkyl group having carbon atoms of 1-4, n is 2 or 3, X is an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl, a vinyl or a (meth)acryloyloxyalkyl group, and 12-hydroxystearic acid, and wherein the titanium oxide particles in the organic solvent have a D50 in a range of 1 to 30 nm, and wherein the organic solvent dispersion has a transmittance of 2% or more at a wavelength of 500 nm and a transmittance of 70% or more at a wavelength of 800 nm, a viscosity of 10 mPa.Math.s or less at a temperature of 25 C. immediately after production while the increase in the viscosity is 40 mPa.Math.s or less seven days after production as compared to that of the dispersion immediately after production.

This invention provides methods and technology related to increased hiding power of a coating through mediating the interaction of the pigment with other system components including but not limited to other pigment particles, latex paint particles, latex binding particles, and organic or inorganic hollow particles. Organization and spacing are tailored via pH sensitive functionalities hosted on ligands or polymeric spacers that are located at/within the surface of one of the components.

Described is a treated inorganic particle having an organic treatment layer, which can provide crystallization benefits to polymer resins. The treated inorganic particle has a mean particle size of about 0.1-10 m, and the organic treatment layer is an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of an acid; where the acid is an aromatic acid or organic diacid. The treated inorganic particles increase crystallization temperature, increase crystal formation rate, and/or decrease cooling time needed for the solidification of the polymer compared with pigmented resins using other inorganic particles.

The present disclosure provides an example where a non-Newtonian white ink can include an aqueous ink vehicle, from 5 wt % to 60 wt % of white colorant, and from 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % of amphoteric alumina particles dispersed in the aqueous ink vehicle. The white colorant can include white metal oxide pigment having an average particulate size from 100 nm to 2,000 nm, an alumina coating on the white metal oxide pigment forming an alumina-coated pigment, and a polymeric dispersant associated with a surface of the alumina-coated pigment. The amphoteric alumina particles can have an average particles size from 2 nm to less than 100 nm.

The present invention is in the field of nanoparticles, their preparation and their use as pinning centers in superconductors. In particular the present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising an oxide of Sr, Ba, Y, La, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, or Ta, wherein the nanoparticles have a weight average diameter of 1 to 30 nm and wherein an organic compound of general formula (I), (II) or (III) or an organic compound containing at least two carboxylic acid groups on the surface of the nanoparticles (I) (II) (III) wherein a is 0 to 5, b and c are independent of each other 1 to 14, n is 1 to 5, f is 0 to 5, p and q are independent of each other 1 to 14, and e and f are independent of each other 0 to 12.

##STR00001##

Methods for of synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can comprise: attaching an anchoring compound to a nanoparticle; attaching a RAFT agent to the anchoring compound; and polymerizing a plurality of butadiene-derived monomers on the anchoring compound to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the anchoring compound. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that include a nanoparticle defining a surface; a butadiene-derived polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of such polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix.

The invention provides an organic solvent dispersion of titanium oxide particles in a content of 10% by weight or more in an organic solvent except methanol and ethanol,

wherein the titanium oxide particles are surface-treated with a surface treating agent comprising a silane coupling agent having the general formula (I)

(RO).sub.nSiX.sub.4-n (I)

wherein R is an alkyl group having carbon atoms of 1-4, n is 2 or 3, X is an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl, a vinyl or a (meth)acryloyloxyalkyl group, and 12-hydroxystearic acid, and

wherein the titanium oxide particles in the organic solvent have a D50 in a range of 1 to 30 nm, and

wherein the organic solvent dispersion has a transmittance of 2% or more at a wavelength of 500 nm and a transmittance of 70% or more at a wavelength of 800 nm, a viscosity of 10 mPa.Math.s or less at a temperature of 25 C. immediately after production while the increase in the viscosity is 40 mPa.Math.s or less seven days after production as compared to that of the dispersion immediately after production.

Disclosed are a titanium dioxide nano ink having such a strong dispersibility as to be applicable by inkjet printing and having adequate viscosity without requiring printing several times, and a titanium dioxide nano particle modified by a surface stabilizer included therein. Inkjet printing of the titanium dioxide nano ink enables printing of a minute electrode. In addition, efficiency of a solar cell may be maximized since occurrence of pattern cracking is minimized.