A method for encapsulating or sorting colloidal objects, comprising the step of flowing said objects in a first flow stream partly or fully surrounded by at least one second flow stream in a channel comprising a narrow strait, wherein along an elongated part of the path of said first flow stream either (a) the bidimensional size of said first flow stream is smaller than the largest bidimensional size of at least some of said objects, either (b) the smallest unidimensional size of said first flow stream is smaller than the largest unidimensional size of at least some of said objects, either (c) said first flow stream is splitting, in the absence of said objects, into droplets with a volume smaller than the volume of at least some of said objects, or (d) said first flow stream would have in the absence of said particles, a shape that cannot entirely encompass some of said objects.

A reactor for forming fully coated particles having a solid core, the reactor comprises a reactor vessel which is configured to receive particles, and a gas phase coating mechanism that is configured to selectively introduce pulses of gas phase materials that form a coating on the particles. The reactor also includes a sieve (16) that is located within the reactor vessel, and a forcing means that is configured to force the particles through the sieve (16) in use. The sieve is configured to deagglomerate any particle aggregates formed in the reactor vessel upon forcing of the particles by the forcing means through the sieve.

Polynucleotides such as DNA are stored inside vesicles formed from self-assembling membranes. The vesicles may be protocells, liposomes, micelles, colloidosomes, proteinosomes, or coacervates. The vesicles may include surface functionalization to improve polynucleotide encapsulation and/or to bind polynucleotides having specific sequences. Encapsulation in vesicles provides protection for the polynucleotides. Additional protection is provided by addition of one or more stabilizers. The stabilizer may be nucleic-acid stabilizers that stabilize the polynucleotides or may be a protective structural layer around the vesicles such as a layer of silica. A process for stably storing polynucleotides in vesicles and a process for recovering stored polynucleotides from vesicles are both disclosed. The polynucleotides may be used for storage of digital information.

The present invention relates to a composition, comprising at least one micelle in non-aqueous solution, wherein the micelle encapsules one or more nanoparticle(s) and wherein the micelle comprises a cross-linked hydrophilic shell.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a composition and to methods for providing such a composition.

The present invention relates to a composition, comprising at least one micelle in non-aqueous solution, wherein the micelle encapsules one or more nanoparticle(s) and wherein the micelle comprises a cross-linked hydrophilic shell.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a composition and to methods for providing such a composition.

A dispersion of capsules in critical or supercritical carbon dioxide is provided. The capsules include an aqueous solution encapsulated by covalent organic framework particles. Also provided is a method of making a dispersion of aqueous solution capsules. The method includes providing a medium of critical or supercritical carbon dioxide, introducing the aqueous solution into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium, and introducing a covalent organic framework particle into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium. Associated methods of using the disclosed dispersions in hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also provided.

A dispersion of capsules in critical or supercritical carbon dioxide is provided. The capsules include an aqueous solution encapsulated by covalent organic framework particles. Also provided is a method of making a dispersion of aqueous solution capsules. The method includes providing a medium of critical or supercritical carbon dioxide, introducing the aqueous solution into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium, and introducing a covalent organic framework particle into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium. Associated methods of using the disclosed dispersions in hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also provided.

A nanocomposite for detection and treatment of a target of interest including tumor cells or pathogens includes at least one nanostructure, each nanostructure having a core and a shell surrounding the core; a reporter assembled on the shell of each nanostructure; and a layer of a treating agent and a targeting agent conjugated to the reporter. In use, the nanocomposite targets to the target of interest according to the targeting agent and releases the treating agent and the nanostructure therein for therapeutic treatment of the target of interest, and the target of interest transmits at least one signature responsive to the reporter for detection of the target of interest.

A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprises combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.

A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprises combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.