A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

A method for obtaining at least one particle, including: (a) preparing solution A including at least one precursor of at least one of Si, B, P, Ge, As, Al, Fe, Ti, Zr, Ni, Zn, Ca, Na, Ba, K, Mg, Pb, Ag, V, Te, Mn, Ir, Sc, Nb, Sn, Ce, Be, Ta, S, Se, N, F, and Cl; (b) preparing aqueous solution B; (c) forming droplets of solution A; (d) forming droplets of solution B; (e) mixing droplets; (f) dispersing mixed droplets in a gas flow; (g) heating dispersed droplets to obtain the at least one particle; (h) cooling the at least one particle; and (i) separating and collecting the at least one particle. The aqueous solution is acidic, neutral, or basic. In step (a) and/or step (b) at least one colloidal suspension of a plurality of nanoparticles is mixed with the solution. Also, a device for implementing the method.

Graphene oxide aerogel beads (GOABs) are formed that have a core/shell structure where a smooth shell covers a multi-layer core. The smooth shell and the layers of the multilayer core comprise graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide. The GOABs can include a phase-change material encapsulated within the multi-layer core. The GOABs can be combined or decorated with Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 nanoparticles or MoS.sub.2 microflakes for various applications. The GOABs are formed from aqueous slurries of graphene oxide that is extruded as drops into an aqueous solution of a coagulant where GOABs are formed. The GOABs are washed and freeze dried, after which, the GOABs can be reduced as desired by chemical or thermal means. Impregnation can be carried out with the phase-change material.

This disclosure describes particles and techniques for storing oligonucleotides that provide stable, long-term protection yet are also compostable. A core is coated with a layer of oligonucleotides and encapsulated under an outer layer of non-porous, hydrolyzed organosilicon disulfide. The hydrolyzed organosilicon disulfide protects the oligonucleotides from oxidative and thermal damage under typical storage conditions. One suitable organosilicon disulfide is bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (BTSPD). The oligonucleotides may be retrieved by contacting the particles with a reducing agent that degrades the disulfide bonds in the outer layer. The disulfide bonds enable removal of the protective encapsulation without the use of dangerous chemicals such as hydrogen fluoride. Instead of retrieving the oligonucleotides, the particles may be disposed of in a composting environment. In an implementation, the oligonucleotides are artificially synthesized and encode digital information.

There is provided a method of preparing a hybrid capsule, the method comprising heterocoagulating organic polymer latex particles with a primary capsule to form an organic polymer coating layer over a shell of the primary capsule.

A device for preparation of liquid marbles that has a belt conveyor for carrying a layer of solid particles, the belt conveyor being provided, successively in the direction of movement of the belt with at least one solids dispenser with a reservoir for solid particles, at least one liquid dispenser with a reservoir for liquid, and a separator for separating the prepared liquid marbles from solid particles, is disclosed.

A device for preparation of liquid marbles that has a belt conveyor for carrying a layer of solid particles, the belt conveyor being provided, successively in the direction of movement of the belt with at least one solids dispenser with a reservoir for solid particles, at least one liquid dispenser with a reservoir for liquid, and a separator for separating the prepared liquid marbles from solid particles, is disclosed.

Various examples of systems and methods for making microspheres, microparticles, and emulsions are provided. In one example, a system and method for forming microspheres comprises: pumping a dispersed phase liquid and a continuous phase liquid into a levitating magnetic impeller pump to subject the dispersed phase liquid and continuous phase liquid to a high shear environment within the impeller pump's pump chamber. In another example, a system and method for forming an emulsion comprises: pumping a dispersed phase liquid and an inner aqueous phase liquid into a levitating magnetic impeller pump to subject the dispersed phase and the inner aqueous phase to a high shear environment within the impeller pump's pump chamber.

A composite phase-change material (PCM) has a non-polymeric solid-solid PCM and a solid-liquid PCM. The solid-liquid PCM occupies an internal volume of the solid-solid PCM. The composite material takes full advantage of the latent heat of both PCMs, while avoiding seepage of the inner solid-liquid PCM. A method is for the preparation of the composite PCM. A thermal energy storage device includes the composite PCM.