Continuous methods for treating liquids and manufacturing certain constituents (e.g., nanoparticles) in liquids, apparatuses and nanoparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) resulting therefrom

Inventors

Pierce, David K. • Mortenson, Mark G. • Bryce, David A.

Assignees

Clene Nanomedicine Inc

Abstract

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a substantially continuous process for modifying at least one liquid by flowing the liquid through at least one trough member having an upper surface and a flow direction. At least one electrode control device contains at least one plasma-forming electrode, and at least one plasma is created between the plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface of the flowing liquid. At least one second electrode control device contains at least one set of metallic-based electrodes located downstream from the plasma-forming electrode-containing electrode control device.

The plasma-forming electrode is spaced apart from a surface of the liquid while at least one plasma is formed between the plasma-forming electrode and the surface, with at least one constituent from the plasma-forming electrode present in the liquid. The downstream metallic-based electrodes contact the liquid after the liquid has flowed past the plasma-forming electrode, and the set of metallic-based electrodes is caused to react with at least a portion of the liquid to produce at least some constituents within the liquid.

For water specifically, the invention provides a substantially continuous process for creating at least one metallic constituent in water by flowing water through a trough member having an upper surface. A plasma-forming electrode-containing electrode control device is provided with the plasma-forming electrode spaced apart from the upper surface of the water, and at least one plasma is formed between the plasma-forming electrode and the upper surface. The process further includes contacting metallic-based electrodes housed in a second electrical control device with the water and causing an electrochemical reaction to occur with the metallic-based electrodes and the water to produce at least some additional constituents within the water.

Claims Coverage

The provided portion includes three independent claims. Across these claims, there are three core inventive features: forming a plasma adjacent to a flowing liquid surface using a plasma-forming electrode, providing downstream metallic-based electrodes to conduct an electrochemical reaction with the liquid to produce constituents, and in water-focused embodiments creating metallic constituents in water by plasma introduction followed by electrochemical reaction with metallic-based electrodes.

The claim set centers on substantially continuous plasma formation adjacent to a flowing liquid surface using a plasma-forming electrode, followed by contacting downstream metallic-based electrodes to conduct an electrochemical reaction that produces constituents within the liquid. In the water-focused independent claim, the process is limited to creating metallic constituents in water by plasma formation and subsequent electrochemical reaction with metallic-based electrodes housed in a second electrical control device.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications