Abstract: This disclosure concerns the production of ZnO (zinc oxide) coated particles for use in rubber as a substitute for bulk ZnO particles. Compared to bulk oxide, oxide coated particles offer the advantage of a higher specific surface per mass unit of ZnO. This implies both ecological and economical benefits. An enhanced process is presented for the synthesis of aggregate particles, comprising a core of CaCO3, which is at least partially coated with ZnO, comprising the steps of: heating a metallic Zn bath, thereby evaporating Zn and forming a Zn-vapor atmosphere; injecting CaCO3 particles as core compound in the Zn-vapor atmosphere; injecting air in the Zn-vapor atmosphere in an amount in excess of the stoechiometric need for the oxidation of the Zn vapor to ZnO. This process is clean and sustainable, producing no unnecessary phases.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal-treated particles, methods for their preparation and methods for using metal-treated particles for, e.g., remediation of process waste-water, sewage, contaminated groundwater aquifers, and soil containing harmful contaminants. Another aspect of the invention relates to a metal-treated particle comprising a ferrosoferric oxide core and a metal supported on the core, where the average diameter or other largest transverse dimension of the core is from about 75 nm to about 990 nm and the amount of metal supported on the core is from about 8% to about 22% by weight, based on the weight of the metal-treated particle.

Abstract: An electroless plating bath composition for plating particulate matter is provided. The plating bath composition includes a metal-containing component and a reducing component. The particulate matter is plated with at least one metal layer including at least two metals by electroless metal deposition in order to provide cutting and grinding tools with improved wear resistance.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube film includes the steps of: (a) adding a plurality of carbon nanotubes into a solvent containing metallic ions, and flocculating the carbon nanotubes to get a floccule structure with the metallic ions therein; (b) reducing the metallic ions into metallic atoms, thereby the metallic atoms being attached onto outer surfaces of the carbon nanotubes to form a floccule structure of carbon nanotubes compounded with metal atoms; and (c) separating the floccule structure compounded with metal atoms from the solvent; and (d) shaping the floccule structure compounded with metal atoms to obtain/get the carbon nanotube film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a surface modifier for metal oxide particles and a method of modifying the surface of metal oxide particles using the same. The surface modifier consists either of an alkylsilanepolyol containing a cyclic alkyl group capable of imparting steric hindrance or of a mixture of said alkylsilanepolyol with alkylalkoxysilane, and the method of modifying the surface of metal oxide particles comprises coating the surface modifier on the hydrophilic surface of the metal oxide particles through chemical bonding so as to impart hydrophobicity or amphiphilicity (hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity) and reactivity to the surface of the metal oxide particles.

Abstract: CIGS absorber layers fabricated using coated semiconducting nanoparticles and/or quantum dots are disclosed. Core nanoparticles and/or quantum dots containing one or more elements from group 13 and/or IIIA and/or VIA may be coated with one or more layers containing elements group IB, IIIA or VIA. Using nanoparticles with a defined surface area, a layer thickness could be tuned to give the proper stoichiometric ratio, and/or crystal phase, and/or size, and/or shape. The coated nanoparticles could then be placed in a dispersant for use as an ink, paste, or paint. By appropriate coating of the core nanoparticles, the resulting coated nanoparticles can have the desired elements intermixed within the size scale of the nanoparticle, while the phase can be controlled by tuning the stoichiometry, and the stoichiometry of the coated nanoparticle may be tuned by controlling the thickness of the coating(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of encapsulating microcapsules containing relatively high temperature phase change materials and the microcapsules so produced. The microcapsules are coated with an inorganic binder, film former and an inorganic filler. The microcapsules may include a sacrificial layer that is disposed between the particle and the coating. The microcapsules may also include an inner coating layer, sacrificial layer and outer coating layer. The microcapsules are particularly useful for thermal energy storage in connection with, e.g., heat collected from concentrating solar collectors.

Abstract: A method of forming rhenium coated metal particles, the method including directly mixing ammonium perrhenate with metal particles and converting the ammonium perrhenate to a rhenium coating on the metal particles, is disclosed. Methods of forming rhenium coated cubic boron nitride particles and rhenium coated diamond particles are also disclosed. Methods of manufacturing components of tools using the rhenium coated metal particles, the rhenium coated cubic boron nitride particles and/or rhenium coated diamond particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a magnetic particle, which comprises attaching a transition metal-containing organic compound to a surface of a hard magnetic particle and then thermally decomposing the transition metal-containing organic compound to obtain the magnetic particle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a core-shell nano particle for a metal ink. The method includes forming a metal oxide nano particle core, and forming a metal shell on a surface of the metal oxide nano particle core to form a core-shell nano particle.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing branched gold nanoparticles is described, starting from an aqueous solution of gold nanoparticle spherical seeds, which is subjected to a growth treatment with an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylamine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as an agent that directs the shape of the nanostructure, and by subsequent addition of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4). The structural features and the properties of the branched gold nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: In the method of embodiments of the invention, the metal seeded carbon allotropes are reacted in solution forming zero valent metallic nanowires at the seeded sites. A polymeric passivating reagent, which selects for anisotropic growth is also used in the reaction to facilitate nanowire formation. The resulting structure resembles a porcupine, where carbon allotropes have metallic wires of nanometer dimensions that emanate from the seed sites on the carbon allotrope. These sites are populated by nanowires having approximately the same diameter as the starting nanoparticle diameter.

Abstract: Described in example embodiments are nanocomposite powders including calcium phosphate and silver nanoparticles on the surface of the calcium phosphate. Other example embodiments, describe methods of forming nanocomposite powders comprising a) preparing a nanometric calcium phosphate by a sol-gel processing route; and b) depositing silver nanoparticles on the calcium phosphate surface. Compositions including nanocomposite powders and uses of those compositions are also described.

Abstract: A preparation method of a CIS-based or CIGS-based thin film for a light absorption layer of a solar cell, which uses a paste prepared by mixing precursors of Cu, In, Se, and optional Ga in a solvent, minimizes the raw material loss, does not produce a toxic gas during the process, and is suitable for producing a large scale film at a low production cost.

Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.

Abstract: A method for brazing a component in a power generation system, the brazed power generation system component, and braze are provided to improve repairing power generation systems. The method includes providing the component having a feature in a surface of the component and coating a particulate material with a filler material to obtain a coated particulate material. The method includes preparing the feature to obtain a treatment area and filling the treatment area in the surface of the component with the coated particulate material. The method includes heating the treatment area and surrounding component to a brazing temperature and applying oxidation protection to the treatment area. After the brazing temperature is obtained, the method includes brazing the treatment area and the screen and cooling the component to obtain a brazed joint.

Abstract: A cutting structure that includes a plurality of encapsulated particles dispersed in a first matrix material, the encapsulated particles comprising: an abrasive grit encapsulated within a shell, wherein the shell comprises a second matrix material different from the first matrix material is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a binder for an electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of an acid having nitrogen family element or chalcogen element or 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of salts of the acid per 100 g of the copolymer. The binder exhibits excellent dispersion of an active material for an electrode. The invention also provides an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, in which the active material layer formed by the composition for an electrode containing the above binder and the active material for an electrode is adhered to the current collector, in which the active material for an electrode is densely-filled, and which exhibits excellent surface smoothness.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to compositions including a copper/silica nanostructure, methods of making a copper/silica nanostructure, methods of using a copper/silica nanostructure, and the like.

Abstract: A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.

Abstract: By means of a series of wet multistage oxidation process comprising: Step 1 for adding an alkaline reagent to an aqueous solution of a manganese compound containing a divalent manganese thereby precipitating a manganese hydroxide; Step 2 for adding an aqueous hydrogen peroxide while keeping the temperature of the water of the aqueous solution comprising the manganese hydroxide at room temperature thereby converting into a manganese oxide; and also Step 3 for adding a dilute acid to the manganese oxide in a state where the water is coexisting, a nanometer-sized manganese dioxide having a ramsdellite-type crystal structure is obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing a thin layer, high-temperature superconductor strip is disclosed. In the method, a metal salt solution is formed and coated onto a substrate including a high-temperature superconductor layer. Heat is then applied directly or indirectly to the solution. The metal salt solution may contain a metal-organic salt solution or a metal inorganic metal salt solution. When an inorganic metal salt solution is utilized, a reducing solution may also be applied to the HTSC layer prior to heating. In addition, nano-sized metal particles may be added to the metal salt solution and/or the reducing solution.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing hydrogen spillover and storage are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes doping a hydrogen receptor with metal particles, and exposing the hydrogen receptor to ultrasonication as doping occurs. Another embodiment of the method includes doping a hydrogen receptor with metal particles, and exposing the doped hydrogen receptor to a plasma treatment.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are titanium dioxide-containing composite particles which can maintain whiteness of natural titanium dioxide even after calcination step, and can provide titanium dioxide-containing composite particles having excellent weather resistance. In each of the composite particles, at least one oxide layer containing silicon oxide and zirconium oxide is provided as coating components of titanium dioxide. That is, provided are composite particles including a base that contains titanium dioxide and at least one oxide layer that contains silicon oxide and zirconium oxide provided on the base, and a method of producing the composite particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode catalyst layer for a fuel cell which includes a polymer electrolyte, a catalyst material and carbon particles, wherein the electrode catalyst layer employs a non-precious metal catalyst and has a high level of power generation performance. The electrode catalyst layer is used as a pair of electrode catalyst layers in a fuel cell in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is interposed between the pair of the electrode catalyst layers which are further interposed between a pair of gas diffusion layers. The method of the present invention has such a feature that the catalyst material or the carbon particles are preliminarily embedded in the polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are core-shell type nanoparticles comprising nanoparticle cores made of a metal or semiconductor, and shells made of crystalline metal oxide formed on the surfaces of the nanoparticle cores, as well as a preparation method thereof. According to the disclosed invention, the core-shell nanoparticles, consisting of metallic or semiconductor cores and crystalline metal oxide shells, can be prepared by epitaxially growing metal oxide on the surfaces of the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticle cores. By virtue of the crystalline metal oxide shells, the core nanoparticle made of metal or semiconductor can ensure excellent chemical and mechanical stability, and the core-shell nanoparticles can show new properties resulting from the interaction between the metal cores and the metal oxide crystal shells.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film of magnetic nanocomposite particles including depositing isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles onto a substrate surface and coating the isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles with an insulator coating. The isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles have a dimension in the range between 1 and 300 nanometers and are separated from each other by a distance in the range between 1 and 50 nanometers. By employing PVD, ablation, and CVD techniques the range of useful film thicknesses is extended to 10-1000 nm, suitable for use in wafer based processing. The described methods for depositing the magnetic nanocomposite thin films are compatible with conventional IC wafer and Integrated Passive Device fabrication.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a display, in which a transparent plate is adhered to an outer surface of a screen provided on a display main body, includes the steps of setting the outer surface of the screen of the display main body and one surface of the transparent plate as respective adhesion surfaces, and performing a surface treatment at a peripheral edge region of one or both of the adhesion surfaces such that a surface energy of the peripheral edge region is smaller than a surface energy of a remaining region of the two adhesion surfaces and a surface energy of an adhesive used in the adhesion. The display main body and the transparent plate are disposed such that the two adhesion surfaces oppose each other via a gap, and the adhesive is injected into the gap. The surface treatment is performed within a width range of 1 mm to 3 mm from the edge regions of the adhesion surfaces.

Abstract: An electroless plating bath composition for plating particulate matter is provided. The plating bath composition includes a metal-containing component and a reducing component. The particulate matter is plated with at least one metal layer including at least two metals by electroless metal deposition in order to provide cutting and grinding tools with improved wear resistance.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide, which is excellent in discharge capacity, volume capacity density, safety, durability for charge and discharge cycles and an excellent rate property, at a low production cost. The present invention is characterized in that a process for producing a surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide, wherein a lithium titanium composite oxide is contained in the surface layer of particles of a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula: LipNxMyOzFa, where N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than Co, Mn and Ni, 0.9?p?1.3, 0.9?x?2.0, 0?y?0.1, 1.9?z?4.2, and 0?a?0.

Abstract: CIGS absorber layers fabricated using coated semiconducting nanoparticles and/or quantum dots are disclosed. Core nanoparticles and/or quantum dots containing one or more elements from group IB and/or IIIA and/or VIA may be coated with one or more layers containing elements group IB, IIIA or VIA. Using nanoparticles with a defined surface area, a layer thickness could be tuned to give the proper stoichiometric ratio, and/or crystal phase, and/or size, and/or shape. The coated nanoparticles could then be placed in a dispersant for use as an ink, paste, or paint. By appropriate coating of the core nanoparticles, the resulting coated nanoparticles can have the desired elements intermixed within the size scale of the nanoparticle, while the phase can be controlled by tuning the stochiometry, and the stoichiometry of the coated nanoparticle may be tuned by controlling the thickness of the coating(s).

Abstract: Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide that can be represented by the formula MnxVyTazOw, where 1?x?3, 0.001?y?3, 0.001?z?2, and w=7, and alternately, x=1.25?x?2.45, 0.1?y?2.39, 0.2?z?1.9, and w=7, methods of producing MnxVyTazOw, a pigment coated with MnxVyTazOw and a chalcogenide glass layer, and a method of producing the coated pigment are described. The disclosed manganese vanadium tantalum oxide has superior near-infrared reflective properties. The disclosed methods of producing the manganese vanadium tantalum oxide provide products with superior phase purity, appearance and performance and take health and safety into consideration. The construction of the disclosed coated pigment combines the reflective properties of the substrate with the near-infrared reflective properties of MnxVyTazOw, while the chalcogenide glass layer provides aesthetic appeal. The disclosed method of producing the coated pigment involves physical vapor deposition of MnxVyTazOw and the chalcogenide glass layer.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electrons and alkali ions exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, super capacitors and light modulating system of the super capacitor type.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide-polymer composites having a substrate comprising a metal oxide component, an aluminum oxide component, and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst component coupled to the substrate. The compositions can be used as thin films in an insulator device. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides technology for controlling, or tuning, the catalytic activity of gold provided upon nanoporous supports such as those derived from nanoparticulate titania. It has been discovered that the nature of the surfaces of the nanoparticles used to support a nano-metal catalyst, such as catalytically active gold, has a profound effect upon the catalytic properties of the supported catalyst. The support surface may be altered as desired to control the activity of the gold. The present invention teaches how thermal treatment of nanoparticulate media incorporated into a nanoporous support prior to deposition of catalytically active gold dramatically suppresses the ability of a resultant catalyst system to oxidize hydrogen. Yet, the system still readily oxidizes CO.

Abstract: To smoothly deliver a thermal energy required in an active site of a catalyst carried on a carrier. A method of manufacturing a catalyst carrier of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a mixed thin film in which at least metal and ceramics are mixed on a metal base, by spraying aerosol, with metal powders and ceramic powders mixed therein, on the metal base; and making the mixed thin film porous, by dissolving the metal of the mixed thin film into acid or alkaline solution to remove this metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle includes flattening a hollow sphere made of a first material, annealing the flattened hollow sphere at a reference temperature above a predetermined maximum use temperature to set a stress minimum of the flattened hollow sphere, and forming a coating made of a second material on the flattened hollow sphere at the reference temperature, the second material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the first material, the negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle characterized by volumetric contraction when heated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparation of a hybrid comprising magnetite nanoparticles and carbon nitride nanotubes, comprising: preparing carbon nitride nanotubes by plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD); dissolving the prepared carbon nitride nanotubes in triethyleneglycol to form solution and adding Fe (acetylacetonate)3 to the solution to obtain a mixture; and heating and cooling the mixture to form a hybrid comprising magnetite nanoparticles and carbon nitride nanotubes, in which the carbon nitride nanotubes are doped with magnetite nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon-based particle/copper composite material in which carbon-based particles such as graphite and copper are mixed, the method including mixing a solution of a polymer organic compound having a main chain of carbon and a copper precursor in a solvent, with a dispersion solution of carbon-based particles in a first dispersion medium to produce a mixture, adding a first reducing agent to the mixture to form composite particles in which copper (I) oxide particles are attached to the surface of the carbon-based particles, and sintering the composite particles under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to the preparing method, a composition material is obtained, in which carbon-based particles and copper are well mixed.

Abstract: Disclosed are sorbent compositions that include a porous titanium dioxide support impregnated with a silver material. The sorbent compositions may be utilized in systems and methods for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon streams such as jet fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a preparation method and equipment of graphite and catalyst composite for a kind of synthetic diamond. Firstly, graphite particles shall be placed into the heating chamber for pre-heating; secondly, the heated graphite particle will be fed into the coating room with vibrator or agitator and steam of carbonyl metal complex is input for coating; finally, the coated graphite particles are fed into a cooling and passivation room for cooling and passivation of the discharging materials or enter a next round of heating and coating. The surface of each graphite particle is plated with metal layer which can promote the crystal nucleus growing into perfect diamond crystal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating a composite material comprising nano carbon and metal or ceramic, in more detail, a method for fabricating a composite material in which metallic or ceramic particles are uniformly dispersed on a nano carbon surface, the method including (1) coating a metal layer on nano carbon, (2) fabricating composite nano powders by performing a thermal treatment for the nano carbon coated with the metal layer, and (3) sintering the composite nano powders, whereby the composite nano powders, in which metallic or ceramic nano powders are uniformly mixed on the surface of the nano carbon, can be easily fabricated, and such composite nano powders can be sintered so as to fabricate the composite material, in which the nano carbon and the metallic or ceramic powders are uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: A method of production of conductive particles able to suppress growth of the conductive particles at the firing stage, able to effectively prevent spheroidization and electrode disconnection, able to effectively suppress a drop in electrostatic capacity, and able to efficiently produce core particles covered by thin coating layers without abnormal segregation of the coating layer metal particularly even when the internal electrode layers are reduced in thickness. A method of producing conductive particles comprising cores 51 having nickel as their main ingredients and coating layers 52 covering their surroundings. A core powder, a water-soluble metal salt containing a metal or alloy forming the coating layers 52, and a surfactant (or water-soluble polymer compound) are mixed to deposite by reduction a metal or alloy for forming the coating layers 52 on the outer surfaces of the core powder.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. Solutions containing the reactants for the buffer layer or layers may be dispensed separately to the substrate web, rather than being mixed prior to their application. The web and/or the dispensed solutions may be heated by a plurality of heating elements.