An apparatus for disintegration (or mixing) of a solid in a receptacle containing liquid, has a control unit and an ultrasound transducer generating ultrasonic energy under control of the control unit. An annular coupling element in communication with the ultrasound transducer is adapted to receive the receptacle. Ultrasonic energy is transferred to the receptacle contents through the annular coupling element. In use, the ultrasonic energy transferred to the receptacle contents causes disintegration of the solid into the liquid. A method for disintegration of a solid in a receptacle is also described.

A beverage mixing system/method allowing faster mixing/blending of frozen beverages is disclosed. The system/method in various embodiments utilizes inductive coupling to introduce heat into the frozen beverage during the mixing/blending process via a rotating driveshaft and attached mechanical agitator to speed the mixing/blending process. Exemplary embodiments may be configured to magnetically induce heat into the driveshaft and/or mechanical agitator mixing blade to affect this mixing/blending performance improvement. This heating effect may be augmented via the use of high power LED arrays aimed into the frozen slurry to provide additional heat input. The system/method may be applied with particular advantage to the mixing of ice cream type beverages and other viscous beverage products.

The invention provides a process for the production of nanoparticles as well as a device that is disposed for the production of the nanoparticles. The process is especially characterized in that the nanoparticles are pure, especially free from organic carbon compounds, preferably carbon-free, and are obtained continuously. The nanoparticles which are obtainable by the process of the invention are characterized in that they are present without an organic ligand in suspension and are especially preferred stable as a suspension against agglomeration, wherein the medium having the particles suspended therein is free from organic carbon compounds, especially carbon-free.

An ionic liquid can disperse graphene at a high concentration. The ionic liquid can be represented by general formula (1): ##STR00001##
in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.5 may be the same or different and each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted C1-7 linear or branched alkyl group; R.sub.2 is represented by formula (2): ##STR00002##
in which R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be the same or different and each independently represents a C1-4 linear or branched alkylene group, and m represents an integer of 1-5; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be the same or different and each independently represent a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted C1-4 linear or branched alkyl group; X.sup. represents a counter ion; and n represents 0-30.

An apparatus, comprising a magnetically conductive conduit having a fluid entry port, a fluid impervious boundary wall and a fluid discharge port defining a fluid impervious flow path through the magnetically conductive conduit, at least one end of the conduit having a taper forming a planar surface extending from an outer to an inner surface; an electrical conductor comprising a length of an electrical conducting material having a first and second conductor lead, the electrical conductor coiled with at least one turn to form an uninterrupted coil of electrical conductor encircling a section of the outer surface of the magnetically conductive conduit; and an electrical power supply operably connected to at least one of the first and second conductor leads, wherein the at least one coiled electrical conductor is thereby energized to provide a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit.

A nutrient system includes at least one nutrient feed line for introducing at least one nutrient into a water inlet or supply to form a circulation stream: an eductor injector for introducing a powder comprising at least one dry nutrient into the circulation stream; an ultrasonic cavitation reactor for applying at least one frequency to the circulation stream; and a nanobubble generator module for introducing nanobubbles of at least one gas into the circulation stream. The system may also include a cooling/ultraviolet disinfection module for cooling and disinfecting the circulation stream. The system may be used to obtain a nutrient composition for a plant growing environment.

A beverage mixing system/method allowing faster mixing/blending of frozen beverages is disclosed. The system/method in various embodiments utilizes inductive coupling to introduce heat into the frozen beverage during the mixing/blending process via a rotating driveshaft and attached mechanical agitator to speed the mixing/blending process. Exemplary embodiments may be configured to magnetically induce heat into the driveshaft and/or mechanical agitator mixing blade to affect this mixing/blending performance improvement. This heating effect may be augmented via the use of high power LED arrays aimed into the frozen slurry to provide additional heat input. The system/method may be applied with particular advantage to the mixing of ice cream type beverages and other viscous beverage products.