Abstract: A precursor solution composition is provided for making highly pure, fine barium-containing silicate glass powders and specifically barium aluminoborosilicate (BABS) glass powders. An atomized precursor solution containing colloidal silica, a water soluble source of barium, boric acid, and aluminum nitrate is used to make the powders. After mixing, the liquid precursor solution is formed into fine droplets, classified for size, and pyrolyzed into fine powders. The resulting spherical particles of the BABS glass is in the 0.1 to 10 micrometer size range.

Abstract: An economical process and associated hardware for commercial manufacture of controllable submicrometer size metallic powders for electronic and other applications. The method is based on the preparation of a stable high concentration precursor solution, production of a high density aerosol mist of the precursor solutions, selection of mist droplets with upper and lower size bounds, controlled drying of the droplets, their conversion to metallic powder in a high temperature gaseous atmosphere and the separation of the powders from carrier gases without significant loss inside the process hardware.