Abstract: Apparatus for producing molybdenum metal Apparatus includes a furnace that defines at least two heating zones of substantially equal length, the furnace maintaining each of the two heating zones at temperatures not greater than about 1200° C.; a supply of precursor material; a process tube extending through each of the two heating zones of the furnace, wherein the precursor material is introduced into the process tube and moved through the two heating zones of the furnace; a pressure regulator operatively associated with the process tube to maintain an interior region of the process tube at a substantially constant pressure greater than an ambient pressure; and a supply of process gas operatively associated with the process tube, whereby the process gas is introduced into the process tube such that the process gas reacts with the precursor material within the furnace to form the molybdenum metal.

Abstract: Densified molybdenum metal powder and method for producing same. Densified molybdenum powder has substantially generally spherical particles, surface area to mass ratio of no more than about 0.5 m2/g as determined by BET analysis, and a flowability greater than about 32 s/50 g as determined by a Hall Flowmeter. A method for producing densified molybdenum metal powder includes providing a supply of precursor material of molybdenum metal powder particles reduced from ammonium molybdate; providing a supply of reducing gas; densifying the precursor material in the presence of the reducing gas; and producing the densified molybdenum metal powder.

Abstract: Molybdenum metal powder, and method for production thereof. Molybdenum metal powder has surface-area-to-mass-ratios in a range of between about 1.0 meters2/gram (m2/g) and about 3.0 m2/g, as determined by BET analysis, in combination with a particle size wherein at least 30% of the particles have a particle size larger than a size +100 standard Tyler mesh sieve. In addition, molybdenum metal powder 10 may be further distinguished by flowability in a range of between about 29 seconds/50 grams (s/50 g) and about 64 s/50 g, as determined by a Hall Flowmeter. A method of producing molybdenum powder may comprise providing a supply of ammonium molybdate, heating the ammonium molybdate at an initial temperature in the presence of a reducing gas to produce an intermediate product, and heating the intermediate product at a final temperature in the presence of the reducing gas, producing molybdenum metal powder.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing silver nano-particle material comprises a furnace and a crucible positioned within the furnace, the crucible containing a quantity of precursor material, the furnace heating the quantity of precursor material contained in the crucible to vaporize the precursor material. A process gas supply operatively associated with the furnace provides a process gas to an interior region of the furnace. A conduit is operatively associated with the furnace so that an inlet end of the conduit is open to the interior region of the furnace. A particle separator system is operatively associated with an outlet end of the conduit.

Abstract: The claimed invention involves a novel preparation comprising a dispersion of wax and silver particles that is effective for reducing bacteria on surfaces. The surface preparation according to the present invention comprises particles of silver dispersed in wax. A method for making the surface preparation according to the present invention includes combining a supply of wax with a supply of silver particles.