A particle comprises an inner part and an outer coating. The inner part comprises CaO and the outer coating comprises hydrophobic nanoparticles of a size less than 1 μm. The particle has an average size of from 1 to 1000 μm. A device adapted to perform an absorption process comprises at least one such particle. A method for manufacturing such a particle comprises mixing CaO with hydrophobic nanoparticles, and mixing with sufficient energy to obtain particles comprising CaO coated with the hydrophobic nanoparticles.

Methods of producing graphene nanoplatelets by exposing graphite to a medium to form a dispersion of graphite in the medium. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of graphene nanoplatelets from the graphite. In some embodiments, the medium includes the following components: (a) an acid; (b) a dehydrating agent; and (c) an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure result in the formation of graphene nanoplatelets at a yield of more than 90%. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure result in the formation of graphene nanoplatelets in bulk quantities that are more than about a 1 kg of graphene nanoplatelets. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to the formed graphene nanoplatelets. In some embodiments, the graphene nanoplatelets include a plurality of layers, such as from about 1 layer to about 100 layers.

The present invention refers to a mineral matter powder preparation by wet process without acrylic additive or other grinding aid additives and to Me use of said mineral matter after an optional hydrophobic treatment. Said mineral material Having superior dispersing properties.

A method for gas atomization of a titanium alloy, nickel alloy, or other alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3)-forming alloy wherein the atomized particles are exposed as they solidify and cool in a very short time to multiple gaseous reactive agents for the in-situ formation of a passivation reaction film on the atomized particles wherein the reaction film retains a precursor halogen alloying element that is subsequently introduced into a microstructure formed by subsequent thermally processing of the atomized particles to improve oxidation resistance.

Disclosed are: a polyalkylene terephthalate resin composition comprising (A) a polyalkylene terephthalate resin and (B) an acrylic-based core-shell polymer which has an average particle size of 2 μm or greater and in which an amount of the core layer component is more than 80% by mass but less than 100% by mass relative to a total mass of the core layer component and a shell layer component; and a molded article which is obtained by molding the polyalkylene terephthalate resin composition.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Proppants having added functional properties are provided, as are methods that use the proppants to track and trace the characteristics of a fracture in a geologic formation. Information obtained by the methods can be used to design a fracturing job, to increase conductivity in the fracture, and to enhance oil and gas recovery from the geologic formation. The functionalized proppants can be detected by a variety of methods utilizing, for example, an airborne magnetometer survey, ground penetrating radar, a high resolution accelerometer, a geophone, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultra-sound, impedance measurements, piezoelectric activity, radioactivity, and the like. Methods of mapping a subterranean formation are also provided and use the functionalized proppants to detect characteristics of the formation.

This disclosure relates to particles conjugated to therapeutic nucleic acids. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a sequence that catalytically cleaves RNA, e.g., DNAzyme or RNAzyme. In certain embodiments, the particles contain nucleic acids with both DNAzyme and/or RNAzyme and siRNA sequences. The cleaving nucleic acids optionally comprise a sequence functioning to hybridize to a target of interest and/or the particles are further conjugated to a targeting moiety. In certain embodiments, conjugated particles are used in the treatment or prevention of cancer or viral infections or bacterial infections. In certain embodiments, conjugated particles are used in detecting metal ions and other small molecule analytes.

An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material. The containment structure may be a microcapsule or a particulate confinement material

The present invention provides for the surface plasmon-enhancement of long lived luminescent compounds, thereby providing for methods and systems having enhanced and controllable rates of the radiative emission of such relaxation of long lived luminescent compounds. The present invention achieves acceleration of the radiative processes by the interaction of the long lived luminescent compounds with surface plasmons of the metal surfaces.