The invention provides silane-treated forsterite microparticles having a specific surface area of 5 to 100 m.sup.2/g, wherein 1 to 5 silyl groups are bound to 1 nm.sup.2 of the surface area thereof.

The invention provides silane-treated forsterite microparticles having a specific surface area of 5 to 100 m.sup.2/g, wherein 1 to 5 silyl groups are bound to 1 nm.sup.2 of the surface area thereof.

Disclosed is a substantially flat nanosheet with a first side and a second side, the first side having substantially different properties than the second side. The nanosheet may have self-assembly properties under certain anisotropic conditions such as phase separation boundaries, sheer stresses, friction, temperature gradients, viscosity, density, and/or combinations therein.

Disclosed is a substantially flat nanosheet with a first side and a second side, the first side having substantially different properties than the second side. The nanosheet may have self-assembly properties under certain anisotropic conditions such as phase separation boundaries, sheer stresses, friction, temperature gradients, viscosity, density, and/or combinations therein.

Nanoparticles and method for producing uniform silicate-based nanoparticles are disclosed. The method comprises a step of injecting into tubular branched elements comprising static mixers a first aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble silicate compound and a second aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble compound releasing cationic species in solution, and allowing the reaction between the first and the second aqueous solutions in a micro-mixing regime, the method being characterized in that the overall mixing time is kept below 10.sup.5 s. A further step of allowing the solution obtained in the micro-mixing regime to mix in a macromixing regime. Nanoparticles obtained through the present method are also disclosed.

Nanoparticles and method for producing uniform silicate-based nanoparticles are disclosed. The method comprises a step of injecting into tubular branched elements comprising static mixers a first aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble silicate compound and a second aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble compound releasing cationic species in solution, and allowing the reaction between the first and the second aqueous solutions in a micro-mixing regime, the method being characterized in that the overall mixing time is kept below 10.sup.5 s. A further step of allowing the solution obtained in the micro-mixing regime to mix in a macromixing regime. Nanoparticles obtained through the present method are also disclosed.

Polished talc microbeads, i.e. polished talc particles with a largest average diameter of less than 500 m and methods for the preparation thereof, which microbeads are especially suitable to be use as an alternative for plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and personal hygiene products. Body scrubs, tooth pastes and soaps comprising the present polished talc microbeads. The use of polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 70% (w/w) and a largest diameter of less than 500 m as a substitute for plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal hygiene products.

Polished talc microbeads, i.e. polished talc particles with a largest average diameter of less than 500 m and methods for the preparation thereof, which microbeads are especially suitable to be use as an alternative for plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and personal hygiene products. Body scrubs, tooth pastes and soaps comprising the present polished talc microbeads. The use of polished talc microbeads with a talc content of more than 70% (w/w) and a largest diameter of less than 500 m as a substitute for plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal hygiene products.

An olivine-type positive active material for a lithium battery, a lithium battery having the olivine-type positive active material, and a method of manufacturing the olivine-type positive active material are provided. The olivine-type positive active material includes a plurality of particles represented by Li.sub.xM.sub.yM.sub.zXO.sub.4-wB.sub.w. M and M are independently an element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Zr, Nb, Cu, V, Mo, Ti, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, B, and the combination thereof, X is one element selected from the group consisting of P, As, Bi, Sb, and the combination thereof, B is one element selected from the group consisting of F, S, and the combination thereof, 0<x1, 0<y1, 0<z1, 0<x+y+z2, and 0w0.5. The particle is a secondary particle having a plurality of primary particles, a first carbon coating layer is on the surface of the primary particle and a second carbon coating layer is on the surface of the secondary particle, and carbon is dispersed inside the primary particle.

An olivine-type positive active material for a lithium battery, a lithium battery having the olivine-type positive active material, and a method of manufacturing the olivine-type positive active material are provided. The olivine-type positive active material includes a plurality of particles represented by Li.sub.xM.sub.yM.sub.zXO.sub.4-wB.sub.w. M and M are independently an element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Zr, Nb, Cu, V, Mo, Ti, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, B, and the combination thereof, X is one element selected from the group consisting of P, As, Bi, Sb, and the combination thereof, B is one element selected from the group consisting of F, S, and the combination thereof, 0<x1, 0<y1, 0<z1, 0<x+y+z2, and 0w0.5. The particle is a secondary particle having a plurality of primary particles, a first carbon coating layer is on the surface of the primary particle and a second carbon coating layer is on the surface of the secondary particle, and carbon is dispersed inside the primary particle.