Inventors:
Darrell Velegol - State College PA, US
Allison M. Yake - State College PA, US
Joseph J. McDermott - State College PA, US
Assignee:
The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA
International Classification:
C08L 33/02, C01B 33/14, C22B 1/14
Abstract:
Methods of producing a plurality of particle aggregates having a specified number of member particles are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. Specific methods include stimulating a plurality of particles with an aggregation stimulus to form a plurality of particle aggregates and then quenching the aggregation stimulus in order to inhibit further particle aggregation. An individual particle aggregate of the produced plurality of particle aggregates has member particles including at least a first member particle and a second member particle. Member particles of particle aggregates are optionally subjected to fusion to stabilize the particle aggregates. Produced particle aggregates having a specified number of member particles may be purified to enrich for particular aggregates.