Method for fabricating nanoparticles

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for filtering a fluid containing nanoparticles. The systems and methods generally include introducing a stream of the nanoparticle-containing fluid into a holding vessel, and extracting at least a part of a nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the holding vessel. The extracted nanoparticle-containing fluid is passed through a filtration module to separate a nanoparticle-containing retentate from a permeate, and the retentate is returned to the vessel. The filtration cycle can be repeated until a desired concentration of the nanoparticles is achieved in the holding vessel. In many embodiments, the generation of the nanoparticle-containing fluid and its filtration are performed concurrently.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for filtering nanoparticles contained in a fluid, comprising:
 a holding vessel adapted for receiving a nanoparticle-containing fluid stream,   a filtration module fluidly connected to the vessel to receive at least a portion of a nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the holding vessel to separate a nanoparticle-containing retentate from a permeate, and   a return path providing a fluid passage for the nanoparticle-containing retentate to the holding vessel.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a drainage port for removing said permeate from the filtration module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of claim  2 , further comprising a pump coupled to the drainage port for facilitating the removal of the permeate from the filtration module. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said pump is configured to remove the permeate from the filtration module at a rate substantially equal to a rate at which the holding vessel receives the nanoparticle-containing fluid stream. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir for containing a replacement fluid, said reservoir being in fluid coupling with the vessel to provide a flow of the replacement fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for transferring the nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the holding vessel to the filtration module. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said filtration module provides tangential flow filtration (TFF). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a port for draining fluid accumulated in the holding vessel. 
     
     
         10 . A system for generating nanoparticles, comprising:
 a device for generating a plurality of nanoparticles contained in a fluid stream flowing,   a holding vessel in fluid communication with the device to receive the nanoparticle-containing fluid stream,   a filtration module in fluid communication with the holding vessel to receive at least a portion of a nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the vessel to separate a nanoparticle-containing retentate from a permeate,   a return path providing a fluid passage for the nanoparticle-containing retentate to the holding vessel.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said filtration module comprises a port for removing said permeate therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a port for draining fluid accumulated in the holding vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said filtration module provides tangential flow filtration (TFF). 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said device for generating nanoparticles is configured to generate polymeric nanoparticles by introducing a polymer solution into a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said device comprises a reservoir for storing the polymer solution and a reservoir for storing the anti-solvent. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said device comprises a conduit having a first input port for receiving the anti-solvent, and at least one static mixer disposed in the conduit to generate a mixed flowing stream of the anti-solvent. 
     
     
         17 . The system of claim  20 , wherein said conduit further comprises a second input port disposed relative to the static mixer so as to allow introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing stream of the anti-solvent to generate polymeric nanoparticles.