Patent ID: 7357948

Claim:
A process of preparing controlled release ceramic particles, comprising: (a) providing a precursor solution that is the product of combining a gel precursor selected from the group consisting of a silica-based gel precursor, an alumina-based gel precursor, a titanium dioxide-based gel precursor, an iron oxide-based gel precursor, a zirconium dioxide-based gel precursor and a combination thereof, an active material, and optionally a solvent; (b) providing a condensing solution that is the product of combining a catalyst, a condensing agent, and optionally a solvent, wherein said condensing solution is immiscible with said precursor solution; and then (c) combining said precursor solution and said condensing solution to form a mixture and spontaneously emulsifying said mixture in the absence of a surfactant, such that ceramic particles form that (i) contain said active material(s) and (ii) are porous to the extent of allowing controlled release of said active material(s), whereby the active material is substantially homogeneously dispersed within each of the particles and throughout the particles.