Focused ultrasonic acoustic processing is used to prepare formulations particles ranging between approximately 10 nm and approximately 50 microns (e.g., between 1 micron and 20 microns), or between approximately 10 nm approximately 400 nm (e.g., between 10 nm and 100 nm). Formulations (e.g., nanoformulations) may include a suspension (e.g., nanosuspension), an emulsion (e.g., nanoemulsion) or another small particle system. Formulations may be used as delivery systems for therapeutic agents, e.g., a formulation may include a bioactive agent and a carrier compound such as a surfactant that encapsulates the bioactive agent.