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

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 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. 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, zeta potential and properties present in a liquid.

1 . A method for treating a patient with a bacterial infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising:
 water;   silver constituents comprising silver ions and silver nanoparticles in said water, said silver constituents being present in an amount of 1 ppm to 20.6 ppm;   zinc constituents comprising zinc ions in said water, said zinc constituents being present in an amount of 0.5 ppm to 20 ppm, wherein a ratio of the amount of said zinc constituents to said silver constituents varies from 8:1 to 0.5:1; and   nitrogen oxides in said water.   
     
     
         2 . A method for treating a patient with a bacterial infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising:
 water;   silver constituents in said water, said silver constituents comprising silver species selected from the group consisting of silver ions and silver nanoparticles, said silver constituents being present in an amount of 7.13 ppm to 20.6 ppm; and   zinc constituents in said water, said zinc constituents comprising zinc ions, said zinc constituents being present in an amount of 12.7 ppm to 20 ppm, wherein a ratio of the amount of said zinc constituents to said silver constituents varies from 8:1 to 0.5:1.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein constituents comprising nitrogen oxides are also present in said water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the amount in parts per million of said silver constituents present relative to said zinc constituents present is within the range of 21.7% to 56.5% and the amount in parts per million of zinc constituents present is within the range of 43.57% to 70.3%. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a pH of the liquid is within a range of 3.2 to 3.83. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said silver constituents comprise both silver ions and silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating a patient with a microbial infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising:
 water;   silver constituents comprising silver ions and silver nanoparticles in said water, said silver constituents being present in an amount of 1 ppm to 20.6 ppm;   zinc constituents comprising zinc ions in said water, said zinc constituents being present in an amount of 0.5 ppm to 20 ppm, wherein a ratio of the amount of said zinc constituents to said silver constituents varies from 8:1 to 0.5:1; and   nitrogen oxides in said water.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered orally. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is administered orally. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is administered orally. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the amount in parts per million of said silver constituents present relative to said zinc constituents present is within the range of 21.7% to 56.5% and the amount in parts per million of zinc constituents present is within the range of 43.57% to 70.3%. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a pH of the liquid is within a range of 3.2 to 3.83. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said silver constituents comprise both silver ions and silver nanoparticles.