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A general and reproducible heterocoagulation method is presented to prepare sub-micron sized zein protein particles, loaded with negatively charged nanoparticles. These composite carrier particles can be obtained in three different morphologies, and each morphology can be prepared using nanoparticles of various size, shape and composition. An important feature of the zein composites is their long-term stability in water even in conditions where free nanoparticles often aggregate within days. Additionally, we modify the composite particles by coating them with a thin layer of silica via condensation of sodium silicate, opening possibilities for highly specific, functionalized carrier particles. Finally, the formation of hollow silica shells containing negatively charged nanoparticles is demonstrated, using the zein composites as a template.

We have measured double differential cross sections (DDX) for emission of hydrogen- and helium-isotopes in the interaction of 175 MeV quasi-monoenergetic neutrons with Fe and Bi using the Medley setup at the The Svedberg Laboratory (Uppsala, Sweden). We compared experimental DDX with calculations with the TALYS code, which includes exciton model and Kalbach systematics; the code fails to reproduce the emission of complex light ions, generally overestimating it. We propose an correction for the application of the Kalbach phenomenological model in the TALYS code by introducing a new energy dependence for the nucleon transfer mechanism in the pre-equilibrium emission region. Our results suggest also evidence for multiple pre-equilibrium emission of composite particles at 175 MeV., QC 20140909

Sediment transport in oscillatory boundary layers is a driving mechanism of coastal geomorphologic change. Most formulae for bed-load transport in near-shore regions subsume the smallest-scale physics of the phenomena by parameterizing interactions between particles. In contrast, the authors directly simulate granular physics in the wave-bottom boundary layer using a discrete-element model consisting of a three-dimensional particle phase coupled to a one-dimensional fluid phase via Newton's Third Law through forces of buoyancy, drag, and added mass. The particulate sediment phase is modeled using discrete, non-spherical particles formed to approximate natural grains by overlapping two spheres. Both the size of each sphere and the degree of overlap can be varied for these composite particles to generate a range of non-spherical grains. Simulations of particles having a range of shapes showed that the critical angle - the angle at which a grain pile will fail when tilted slowly from rest - increases from approximately 26 degrees for spherical particles to nearly 39 degrees for highly non-spherical composite particles having a dumbbell shape. Simulations of oscillatory sheet flow were conducted using composite particles with an angle of repose of approximately 33 degrees and a Corey shape factor greater than about 0.8, similar to the properties of beach sand. The results from the sheet-flow simulations with composite particles agreed more closely with laboratory measurements than similar simulations conducted using spherical particles. The findings suggest that particle shape may be an important factor for determining bed-load flux, particularly for larger bed slopes. (5 figures, 18 refs.), Published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, p04TA2210-1 to 04TA2210-15, 2004.

A new kind of lipid/polymer composite particle, consisting of a biodegradable polymer matrix with well-defined lipid domains, has been created. The lipid used is the water-swelling lipid monoolein (MO), which forms a reversed bicontinuous cubic diamond structure in aqueous solutions. The polymer is poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), which degrades into water-soluble monomers through hydrolysis. This new particle might be a good alternative for encapsulation of active substances intended to be released over a longer period of time, i.e. sustained/retained/controlled release. To prepare such particles can be difficult. Suitable phase behaviour and a solvent with the right properties are needed. For this reason, the phase behaviours of several different lipid/polymer/solvent/water systems have been explored. From the phase behaviour of a suitable system (i.e. MO/PLG/ethyl acetate/water), a route for formation of lipid/polymer composite particles has been deduced. Particles have been formed and distinct, water-swelling, lipid domains have been confirmed by characterization by means of confocal laser scanning probe microscopy (CLSM). The sample preparation process has been automated and a method based on using a robotic liquid handler has been developed. Phase diagrams have been determined by examination of macroscopic behaviours and the microstructures of the phases have been studied by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (L3, V2, Lα, L), nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion (L, L3), viscosimetry (L) and rheology (L). Several different theoretical models have been applied for interpretation of the results. For example, the swelling of the reversed bicontinuous cubic phases and the sponge phase have been modelled by applying the theory of infinite periodical minimal surfaces, the sponge phase has been shown to be bicontinuous according to the theory of interconnected rods and the phase behaviour of the polymer has been described by the Flory-Huggins theory. Th

A new kind of lipid/polymer composite particle, consisting of a biodegradable polymer matrix with well-defined lipid domains, has been created. The lipid used is the water-swelling lipid monoolein (MO), which forms a reversed bicontinuous cubic diamond structure in aqueous solutions. The polymer is poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), which degrades into water-soluble monomers through hydrolysis. This new particle might be a good alternative for encapsulation of active substances intended to be released over a longer period of time, i.e. sustained/retained/controlled release. To prepare such particles can be difficult. Suitable phase behaviour and a solvent with the right properties are needed. For this reason, the phase behaviours of several different lipid/polymer/solvent/water systems have been explored. From the phase behaviour of a suitable system (i.e. MO/PLG/ethyl acetate/water), a route for formation of lipid/polymer composite particles has been deduced. Particles have been formed and distinct, water-swelling, lipid domains have been confirmed by characterization by means of confocal laser scanning probe microscopy (CLSM). The sample preparation process has been automated and a method based on using a robotic liquid handler has been developed. Phase diagrams have been determined by examination of macroscopic behaviours and the microstructures of the phases have been studied by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (L3, V2, Lα, L), nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion (L, L3), viscosimetry (L) and rheology (L). Several different theoretical models have been applied for interpretation of the results. For example, the swelling of the reversed bicontinuous cubic phases and the sponge phase have been modelled by applying the theory of infinite periodical minimal surfaces, the sponge phase has been shown to be bicontinuous according to the theory of interconnected rods and the phase behaviour of the polymer has been described by the Flory-Huggins theory. Th