CONTINUOUS, SEMICONTINUOUS AND BATCH METHODS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS AND MANUFACTURING CERTAIN CONSTITUENTS (E.G., NANOPARTICLES) IN LIQUIDS, APPARATUSES AND NANOPARTICLES AND NANOPARTICLE/LIQUID SOLUTION(S) AND COLLOIDS RESULTING THEREFROM

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s)(e.g., colloids). 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 and/or the liquid is predisposed to their presence (e.g., conditioned)) 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. Processing enhancers can be utilized alone or with a plasma. Semicontinuous and batch processes can also be utilized. The continuous processes cause 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 ions, micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition, concentration, zeta potential and certain other novel properties present in a liquid. Cette invention se rapporte de manière générale à de nouveaux procédés et à de nouveaux dispositifs destinés à la fabrication continue de nanoparticules, de microparticules et de solutions liquides/nanoparticules (par exemple, colloïdes). Les nanoparticules (et/ou particules de la taille du micromètre) comprennent diverses compositions, tailles et formes possibles. Les particules (par exemple, nanoparticules) sont amenées à être présentes (par exemple, créées et/ou le liquide est prédisposé à leur présence (par exemple, conditionné)) dans un liquide (par exemple, de l'eau), par exemple, grâce à l'utilisation, de préférence, d'au moins un plasma ajustable (par exemple, créé par au moins une source d'alimentation CA et/ou CC), ledit plasma communiquant avec au moins une partie d'une surface du liquide. Au moins une technique de traitement électrochimique réglable suivante et/ou sensiblement simultanée est également préférée. De multiples plasmas et/ou techniques de traitement électrochimique réglables so