Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing product particles having a uniform size using a microwave plasma process. More particularly, methods of the present technology are used to manufacture product particles having a core at least partially surrounded by a shell. The core and shell of the product particles are chemically distinct. Methods of the present technology occur within a plasma chamber of a microwave plasma reactor and a microwave formed plasma is utilized to vaporize core precursor material.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing core-shell particles having a uniform size using a microwave plasma process. More particularly, methods of the present technology are used to manufacture core-shell particles having a core at least partially surrounded by a shell. The core and shell of the core-shell particles are chemically distinct. Methods of the present technology occur within a plasma chamber of a microwave plasma reactor and a microwave formed plasma is utilized to vaporize core precursor material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of doped and undoped spherical or spheroidal lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) powder products, and methods of production using microwave plasma processing, which can be incorporated into solid state lithium ion batteries. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed LLZO powder display a high quality, high purity stoichiometry, small particle size, narrow size distribution, spherical morphology, and customizable crystalline structure.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing product particles having a uniform size using a microwave plasma process. More particularly, methods of the present technology are used to manufacture product particles having a core at least partially surrounded by a shell. The core and shell of the product particles are chemically distinct. Methods of the present technology occur within a plasma chamber of a microwave plasma reactor and a microwave formed plasma is utilized to vaporize core precursor material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing quantum particles (e.g., quantum dots) having a uniform size by vaporization of molten precursor droplets. More particularly, the present technology produces quantum dots by melting or liquefying solid and substantially pure precursor materials followed by production of uniformly sized droplets of molten precursor by use of a droplet maker into a microwave generated plasma torch.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and devices are provided for producing metal spheroidal powder products. Dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are prepared using a process including introducing a metal hydride feed material into a plasma torch. The metal hydride feed material is melted within a plasma in order to dehydrogenate and spheroidize the materials, forming dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are then exposed to an inert gas and cooled in order to solidify the particles into dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The particles are cooled within a chamber having an inert gas.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and devices are provided for producing metal spheroidal powder products. By utilizing a microwave plasma, control over spheriodization and resulting microstructure can be tailored to meet desired demands.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of doped and undoped spherical or spheroidal lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) powder products, and methods of production using microwave plasma processing, which can be incorporated into solid state lithium ion batteries. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed LLZO powder display a high quality, high purity stoichiometry, small particle size, narrow size distribution, spherical morphology, and customizable crystalline structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and system for producing powders for lithium ion batteries utilizing plasma processing during the manufacture of the powders. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed methods can significantly reduce the manufacturing time, the overall number of steps, and the harmful byproducts of conventional lithium ion battery processing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing quantum particles (e.g., quantum dots) having a uniform size by vaporization of molten precursor droplets. More particularly, the present technology produces quantum dots by melting or liquefying solid and substantially pure precursor materials followed by production of uniformly sized droplets of molten precursor by use of a droplet maker into a microwave generated plasma torch.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing quantum particles (e.g., quantum dots) having a uniform size by vaporization of molten precursor droplets. More particularly, the present technology produces quantum dots by melting or liquefying solid and substantially pure precursor materials followed by production of uniformly sized droplets of molten precursor by use of a droplet maker into a microwave generated plasma torch.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and devices are provided for producing metal spheroidal powder products. By utilizing a microwave plasma, control over spheriodization and resulting microstructure can be tailored to meet desired demands.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing quantum particles (e.g., quantum dots) having a uniform size by vaporization of molten precursor droplets. More particularly, the present technology produces quantum dots by melting or liquefying solid and substantially pure precursor materials followed by production of uniformly sized droplets of molten precursor by use of a droplet maker into a microwave generated plasma torch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for generating lithium ion battery materials. Starting materials are combined to form a homogeneous precursor solution including lithium, and a droplet maker is used to generate droplets of the precursor solution having controlled size. These droplets are introduced into a microwave generated plasma, where micron or sub-micron scale lithium-containing particles are formed. These lithium-containing particles are collected and formed into a slurry to form lithium ion battery materials.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing substantially uniform droplets. The system includes a fluid reservoir vessel defining a fluid reservoir, a separation membrane at one end of the fluid reservoir, at least one capillary channel at an opposite end of the fluid reservoir, a solution dispenser, and a piezo actuator in contact with a separation membrane. The separation membrane has a thickness greater than about 0.2 mm, and the solution dispenser maintains the fluid reservoir filled with fluid such that the fluid simultaneously contacts the separation membrane and the capillary channel. The solution dispenser maintains the fluid reservoir under pressure to create a fluid stream exiting the capillary. The piezo actuator is in contact with the separation membrane on a side opposite that in contact with the fluid, and the piezo actuator transfers a pressure wave through the fluid in the fluid reservoir to break up the fluid stream into uniform droplets.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and devices are provided for producing metal spheroidal powder products. Dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are prepared using a process including introducing a metal hydride feed material into a plasma torch. The metal hydride feed material is melted within a plasma in order to dehydrogenate and spheroidize the materials, forming dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are then exposed to an inert gas and cooled in order to solidify the particles into dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The particles are cooled within a chamber having an inert gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for producing substantially uniform droplets. The system includes a fluid reservoir vessel defining a fluid reservoir, a separation membrane at one end of the fluid reservoir, at least one capillary channel at an opposite end of the fluid reservoir, a solution dispenser, and a piezo actuator in contact with a separation membrane. The separation membrane has a thickness greater than about 0.2 mm, and the solution dispenser maintains the fluid reservoir filled with fluid such that the fluid simultaneously contacts the separation membrane and the capillary channel. The solution dispenser maintains the fluid reservoir under pressure to create a fluid stream exiting the capillary. The piezo actuator is in contact with the separation membrane on a side opposite that in contact with the fluid, and the piezo actuator transfers a pressure wave through the fluid in the fluid reservoir to break up the fluid stream into uniform droplets.