The present invention relates to the field of methods of manufacturing of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) tags. The manufacturing method according to the present invention is reproducible and versatile and enables the production in an expedient manner of high quantities of SERS tags characterized by a narrow size distribution and a high ratio of low-number aggregates. SERS tags manufactured by the inventive manufacturing method described herein provide increased ensemble SERS responses.

Methods of making permeable aerogels (100) can include providing a sol mixture (110) comprising an organic scaffold, an inorganic aerogel precursor, and a first solvent. The organic scaffold can be insoluble in the first solvent. The sol mixture can react to form a gel (120) such that an interconnected channel network is formed which is at least partially defined by the organic scaffold. The first solvent in the gel can be exchanged (130) with a second solvent. The second solvent can dissolve the organic scaffold to expose the interconnected channel network. The gel can be dried (140) to form the permeable aerogel.

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a colloidal aqueous suspension of stable zeolite nanocrystals having framework structures comprising at least one cation selected from Gd, Fe, Cu and Ce, said structures being loaded with a gas selected from O.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof, to the colloidal aqueous suspension of zeolite nanocrystals obtained by such a process, and to the use of said suspension in therapy, more particularly in cancer therapy and hypoxia-related diseases and/or in diagnosis.

An antimicrobial coating composition comprising a nanoparticle composite having a core and at least one shell, wherein the core comprises a silver nanoparticle having an antimicrobial action. The at least one shell is formed by a doped semiconductor providing a photocatalytic action and increasing the stability of silver nanoparticle core by controlling the releasing of Ag ions. The nanoparticle composite comprises a nanoparticle of a noble metal providing surface plasmon under the presence of electromagnetic radiation.

Provided herein is a method of preparing a ceramic material, the method including: providing a ceramic gel including a plurality of metal salts and compressing the ceramic gel thereby inducing stress-induced mineralization of the ceramic gel and formation of the ceramic material, wherein the ceramic gel exists in isolated form.

Methods of inducing or controlling particle motion in suspensions and colloids are described. In one aspect, a method of inducing particle motion in a suspension comprises contacting the suspension with a gas phase to establish at least one interface between the gas phase and continuous phase of the suspension. One or more gases of the gas phase are transferred across the interface to provide a solute gradient in the continuous phase, the solute gradient inducing motion of the suspended particles.

Methods and systems for manufacturing a mixed-metal part by preparing a mixed-metal sol-gel as a feed material and using an additive manufacturing technique to form the mixed-metal part from the mixed-metal sol-gel feed material.

The invention discloses a biologically active zirconia denture has a gradient structure, the gradient structure consisting of a biomimetic nano-gradient biologically active outer surface layer, the nano-gradient outer surface layer is composed of zirconia nanocrystals and a plurality of nanopores penetrating gradiently through the layer, a micron-gradient biocompatible inner layer, the micron-gradient inner surface layer is composed of zirconia microncrystals and a plurality of micronpores penetrating gradiently through the layer, a dense micron-gradient biocompatible matrix structure, a uniform gradient transition is formed at the interface between the nano-gradient outer layer and the micron-gradient inner layer, and the micron-gradient inner layer and the matrix. The invention has the advantages of high strength, high toughness, low friction coefficient, low abrasion to the teeth, good biocompatibility and biological activity.

Methods of inducing or controlling particle motion in suspensions and colloids are described. In one aspect, a method of inducing particle motion in a suspension comprises contacting the suspension with a gas phase to establish at least one interface between the gas phase and continuous phase of the suspension. One or more gases of the gas phase are transferred across the interface to provide a solute gradient in the continuous phase, the solute gradient inducing motion of the suspended particles.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a colloid comprising functionalised liquid colloidal particles. The invention also relates to such a colloid and to the uses thereof.