Abstract: A production method for water-atomized metal powder includes: in a region in which the average temperature of a molten metal stream is higher than the melting point by 100° C. or more, spraying primary cooling water from a plurality of directions at a convergence angle of 10° to 25°, where the convergence angle is an angle between an impact direction on the molten metal stream of the primary cooling water from one direction and an impact direction on the molten metal stream of the primary cooling water from any other direction; and in a region in which 0.0004 seconds or more have passed after an impact of the primary cooling water and the average temperature of metal powder is the melting point or higher and (the melting point+50° C.) or lower, spraying secondary cooling water on the metal powder under conditions of an impact pressure of 10 MPa or more.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor nanoparticles, metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, processes for producing semiconductor nanoparticles, processes for producing metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, and processes for producing conversion products. In an aspect is provided a process for producing a metal-semiconductor hybrid structure that includes introducing a first precursor comprising a metal from Group 11-Group 14 to an amine and an anion precursor to form a semiconductor nanoparticle comprising the Group 11-Group 14 metal; introducing a second precursor comprising a metal from Group 7-Group 11 to the semiconductor nanoparticle to form a metal-semiconductor mixture; and introducing the metal-semiconductor mixture to separation conditions to produce the metal-semiconductor hybrid structure.

Abstract: Raw material feed into an electric arc furnace (“EAF”) is melted into heated liquid metal at a controlled temperature with impurities and inclusions removed as a separate liquid slag layer. The heated liquid metal is removed from the EAF into a passively heatable ladle wherein it is moved into a refining station where they are placed into a inductively heated refining holding vessel and wherein vacuum oxygen decarburization is applied to remove carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and other undesirable impurities from the liquid metal. The ladle and liquid metal is then transferred to a refining station/gas atomizer having a controlled vacuum and inert atmosphere wherein the liquid metal is poured from an inductively heated atomizing holder vessel into a heated tundish at a controlled rate wherein high pressure inert gas is applied through a nozzle to create a spray of metal droplets forming spherical shapes as the droplets that cool and fall into a bottom formed in the chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A metal-powder producing apparatus includes a spray chamber, and a plurality of spray nozzles that liquid-spray a melted metal into the spray chamber. Each of the plurality of spray nozzles includes: a liquid nozzle that allows the melted metal to flow down into the spray chamber; and a gas-jet nozzle that has a plurality of gas-jet holes arranged around the liquid nozzle and causing a gas fluid to collide with the melted metal having flowed down from the liquid nozzle.

Abstract: A graphene-reinforced alloy composite material and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The method includes preparing a porous graphene colloid, smelting a first-part alloy, pouring it into the porous graphene colloid to be formed, subjecting the formed product to a hot extrusion, and pulverizing into a powder I; smelting a second-part alloy into an alloy melt II, adding a high-purity silicon powder therein, mixing by stirring, and atomizing to obtain a powder II; mixing the powder I and the powder II, to obtain a pretreated alloy powder; placing the pretreated alloy powder in a high-purity ark, transferring the high-purity ark to a high-temperature tubular furnace, subjecting the pretreated alloy powder to a redox treatment, and introducing methane and hydrogen to grow graphene, to obtain a coated alloy powder; subjecting the coated alloy powder to a pre-compressing molding and sintering, to obtain the graphene-reinforced alloy composite material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Thin films comprising crystalline Fe2XY4, wherein X is Si or Ge and Y is S or Se, are obtained by coating an ink comprised of nanoparticle precursors of Fe2XY4 and/or a non-particulate amorphous substance comprised of Fe, X and Y on a substrate surface and annealing the coating. The coated substrate thereby obtained has utility as a solar absorber material in thin film photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A concentrated dispersion of nanometric silver particles, and a method of producing the dispersion, the dispersion including a first solvent; a plurality of nanometric silver particles, in which a majority are single-crystal silver particles, the plurality of nanometric silver particles having an average secondary particle size (d50) within a range of 30 to 300 nanometers, the particles disposed within the solvent; and at least one dispersant; wherein a concentration of the silver particles within the dispersion is within a range of 30% to 75%, by weight, and wherein a concentration of the dispersant is within a range of 0.2% to 30% of the concentration of the silver particles, by weight.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a material having a high concentration of a carbide constituent. The method may comprise adding a carbide source to a biocompatible material in which a weight of the carbide source is at least approximately 10% of the total weight, heating the carbide source and the biocompatible material to a predetermined temperature to melt the biocompatible material and allow the carbide source to go into solution to form a molten homogeneous solution, and impinging the molten homogeneous solution with a high pressure fluid to form spray atomized powder having carbide particles. The size of a particle of carbide in the atomized powder may be approximately 900 nanometers or less. The biocompatible material may be cobalt chrome, the carbide source may be graphite, and the fluid may be a gas or a liquid.

Abstract: A system for metal powder atomisation comprising a refractory lined melting furnace (1) configured to melt metal into a liquid metal bath (6), in which furnace (1) a drain (3) is arranged for draining liquid metal from the bottom of the furnace. The drain (3) is configured to be closed by a stopping member. The system comprises an atomisation chamber (2) configured to receive and atomise liquid metal from the melting furnace (1). The system also comprises removal means controllable from the bottom region of the furnace (1) for removing the stopping member without interfering with the surface of the liquid metal bath (6). The removal means and the stopping member are configured such that the stopping member is removable independently of the temperature of the liquid metal bath (6) using the removal means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing solid particles based on inert gas evaporation. The method includes forming a continuous gaseous feed flow, and injecting the continuous gaseous feed flow through an inlet into a free-space region of a reactor chamber in the form of a feed jet flow, and forming at least one continuous jet flow of a cooling fluid and injecting the at least one jet flow of cooling fluid into the reaction chamber. The feed jet flow is made by passing the feed flow at a pressure above the reactor chamber pressure in the range from 0.01·105 to 20·105 Pa through an injection nozzle. The jet flow of cooling fluid is made by passing the cooling fluid through an injection nozzle which directs the jet flow of cooling fluid such that it intersects the feed jet flow with an intersection angle between 30 and 150°.

Abstract: A negative active material, a lithium battery including the negative active material, and a method of preparing the negative active material. The negative active material includes a silicon-based alloy including Si, Al, and Fe. The silicon-based alloy includes an active phase of silicon nanoparticles and an inactive phase of Si3Al3Fe2 and Si2Fe in a ratios suitable to improve the lifespan of the lithium battery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a material having a high concentration of a carbide constituent. The method may comprise adding a carbide source to a biocompatible material in which a weight of the carbide source is at least approximately 10% of the total weight, heating the carbide source and the biocompatible material to a predetermined temperature to melt the biocompatible material and allow the carbide source to go into solution to form a molten homogeneous solution, and impinging the molten homogeneous solution with a high pressure fluid to form spray atomized powder having carbide particles. The size of a particle of carbide in the atomized powder may be approximately 900 nanometers or less. The biocompatible material may be cobalt chrome, the carbide source may be graphite, and the fluid may be a gas or a liquid.

Abstract: Low cost spherical titanium and titanium powder alloy powder is produced by impinging a stream of an inert gas, such as argon, on the surface of a molten pool of titanium or sponge and alloying elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing nanometer-size spherical particles. The method includes a first step for producing intermediate spherical particles. The intermediate spherical particles include a polycrystalline or single-crystalline region, having a particle size of 1 to 300 ?m. The method of the present invention further includes a second step for producing final spherical particles. The second step uses a swirling plasma gas flow having the central axis thereof, the central axis running through an area between an anode and a cathode of a plasma generator. The intermediate spherical particles are discharged along the axis to subject the intermediate spherical particles to a plasma atmosphere of the area to form the final spherical particles.

Abstract: A component, such as a SOFC interconnect, and methods of making the component are provided using various chromium powders, including powder particles with a chromium core covered with an iron shell, a pre-alloyed Cr—Fe powder or a chromium powder produced by hydrogen reduction with hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Fe—Si—La alloy having the atomic composition: (La1-a-a?MmaTRa?)1[(Fe1-b-b?CObMb?)1-x(Si1-cXc)x]13(CdNeH1-d-e)y(R)z(I)f Mm representing a mixture of lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and praseodynium in the weight proportion of 22 to 26% La, 48 to 53% Ce, 17 to 20% Nd and 5 to 7% Pr, the said mixture possibly comprising up to 1% by weight of impurities, TR representing one or more elements of the rare earth family other than lanthanum, M representing one or more type d transition elements of the 3d, 4d and 5d layers X representing a metalloid element selected from Ge, Al, B, Ga and In R representing one or more elements selected from Al, Ca, Mg, K and Na, I representing one or two elements selected from O and S, with: 0?a<0.5 and 0?a?<0.2 0?b?0.2 and 0?b?<0.4 0?c?0.5 and 0?d?1 0?e?1 and f?0.1 0.09?x?0.13 and 0.002?y?4 0.0001?z?0.01 the subscripts b, d, e, x and y being such that the alloy further satisfies the following condition: 6.143b(13(1?x))+4.437y[1?0.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a material comprising one or more semiconductive substances is vaporized to generate a vapor phase condensate. The vapor phase condensate is allowed to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are annealed to yield substantially spherical nanoparticles.

Abstract: An Au—Sn alloy bump that does not include large voids and a method of producing the same are provided. The Au—Sn alloy bump that does not include large voids comprises a composition containing Sn: 20.5 to 23.5 mass % and the balance Au and unavoidable impurities, and a structure where 0.5 to 30 area % of Sn-rich primary crystal phase is crystallized in the matrix.

Abstract: Transient liquid phase sintering compositions comprising one or more high melting point metals and one or more low melting temperature alloys are known in the art as useful compositions for creating electrically and/or thermally conductive pathways in electronic applications. The present invention provides transient liquid phase sintering compositions that employ non-eutectic low melting temperature alloys for improved sintering and metal matrix properties.

Abstract: Provided is a method for easily manufacturing large volumes of a metallic glass nanowire with an extremely small diameter. This metallic glass nanowire manufacturing method is characterized in that a melted metallic glass or a master alloy thereof is gas-atomized in a supercooled state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for synthesizing nano particles. The apparatus for synthesizing nano particles is configured to include: a plasma generator that generates plasma; a recovery device that recovers the synthesized nano particles; and a cooler that is disposed between the plasma generator and the recovery device and includes a cooling path where the nano particles are synthesized, while material supplied from the plasma generator is cooled, wherein the cooling path is set to have lower cooling temperatures for each section as going to the moving direction of the nano particles.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing nano particles, including: moving material in a plasma generating space in a first direction; and synthesizing nano particles by cooling the material moved along the first direction, wherein the synthesizing the nano particles may be performed by cooling the material at gradually lower temperatures during the moving thereof in the first direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process in which a Platinum Group Metal (PGM)-rich residue from a BMR (Base Metals Refinery) process is subjected to a high temperature roast to remove contaminants, typically volatile elements (for example Se, Te, As, S, Bi, Os) and obtain a roast product. The roast product is smelted with a flux to form a slag phase and an alloy phase, and to vaporize sulphates and heavy metals like Pb, Te, and remove stable oxide compounds such as Si02 and oxides of Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Te, Bi to the slag phase. The alloy and the slag phase are separated, and the alloy phase is then melted and atomized with a gas or liquid atomization process to form fine alloy particles that can be dissolved in water and treated in a hydrometallurgical PMR (Precious Metals Refinery) process.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing finely powdered spherical magnesium includes a gas compressor that compresses argon gas, a gas heating unit that heats the compressed argon gas, and a tundish that receives molten magnesium. The device further includes a reactor having a nozzle injection unit that injects heated argon gas into the reactor, a recovery unit that recovers magnesium powder produced in the reactor, and a first gas cooler that cools the argon gas passing through the recovery unit. The device further includes a filtering unit that filters the cooled argon gas, a buffer tank that receives the filtered argon gas, and a compression blower that adiabatically compresses the argon gas. The device further includes a second gas cooler that cools the compressed argon gas, an adiabatic expansion duct that adiabatically expands the cooled argon gas, supplies the expanded argon gas to the reactor, and cools the magnesium powder.

Abstract: A powder metal composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by atomizing a melted iron based alloy including 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon; 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten; 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum; not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen; and at least 40.0 wt. % iron. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming elements to oxidize during atomization. The powder metal composition includes metal carbides in an amount of at least 15 vol. %. The microhardness of the powder metal composition increases with increasing amounts of carbon and is typically about 800 to 1,500 Hv50.

Abstract: A transition element-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum-transition element melt in which a transition element content of the aluminum-transition element melt is less than 6 percent by weight. The aluminum-transition element melt then powderized to form a transition element-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.

Abstract: A method for producing copper fine particles by heating and reducing an oxide, hydroxide, or salt of copper included in a solution of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or triethylene glycol, the method comprising controlling a total halogen content of the solution to be less than 20 ppm by mass relative to copper and adding a water-soluble polymer as a dispersant such as polyethyleneimine and a noble metal compound or noble metal colloid for nucleation to the solution. This method makes it possible to provide copper fine particles for use in a wiring material, which are very fine as small as 50 nm or less in average particle size and high dispersibility, extremely low undesirable halogen content, and can be sintered at a low temperature.

Abstract: A thermal spray powder 20 is provided for use in a thermal spray technique, such as flame spraying, plasma spraying, cold spraying, and high velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF). The thermal spray powder 20 is formed by water or gas atomization and comprises 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon, 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium, 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten, 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium, 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum, not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen, and at least 40.0 wt. % iron, based on the total weight of the thermal spray powder 20. The thermal spray powder 20 can be applied to a metal body, such as a piston or piston ring, to form a coating. The thermal spray powder 20 can also provide a spray-formed part.

Abstract: A zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum-zirconium melt in which a zirconium content of the aluminum-zirconium melt is less than 2.0 percent by weight. The aluminum-zirconium melt then powderized to form a zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new type of grain refiners for steel, in the form of a particulate composite material, containing a high volume fraction of tailor-made dispersed particles, with the purpose of acting as potent heterogeneous nucleation sites for iron crystals during solidification and subsequent thermo-mechanical treatment of the steel.

Abstract: A system and method for producing atomized powder for glassy aluminum-based alloys in an inert gas atmosphere. A melt chamber melts the alloy and it is atomized to form powder. The powder is deposited in at least one catch tank.

Abstract: Multicomponent nanoparticles materials and apparatuses and processes therefor are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, separate particles generated from solution or suspension or by flame synthesis or flame spray pyrolysis, and the resultant particles are mixed in chamber prior to collection or deposition. In another aspect of the disclosure, nanoparticles are synthesized in stagnation or Bunsen flames and allowed to deposit by thermophoresis on a moving substrate. These techniques are scalable allowing mass production of multicomponent nanoparticles materials and films. The foregoing techniques can be used to prepare composites and component devices comprising one or more lithium based particles intimately mixed with carbon particles.

Abstract: Hard particles for blending as a starting material in a sintered alloy contain 20 to 40 mass % of molybdenum, 0.5 to 1.0 mass % of carbon, 5 to 30 mass % of nickel, 1 to 10 mass % of manganese, 1 to 10 mass % of chromium, 5 to 30 mass % of cobalt, 0.05 to 2 mass % of yttrium, and the balance being inadvertent impurities and iron.

Abstract: The invention is a process for manufacturing a nano aluminum/alumina metal matrix composite and composition produced therefrom. The process is characterized by providing an aluminum powder having a natural oxide formation layer and an aluminum oxide content between about 0.1 and about 4.5 wt. % and a specific surface area of from about 0.3 and about 5. Om2/g, hot working the aluminum powder, and forming a superfine grained matrix aluminum alloy. Simultaneously there is formed in situ a substantially uniform distribution of nano particles of alumina. The alloy has a substantially linear property/temperature profile, such that physical properties such as strength are substantially maintained even at temperatures of 250° C. and above.

Abstract: Low cost spherical titanium and titanium powder alloy powder is produced by impinging a stream of an inert gas, such as argon, on the surface of a molten pool of titanium or sponge and alloying elements.

Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.

Abstract: Nickel-iron-zinc alloy nanoparticles of the present invention are in the form of tabular particles having a thickness of 1 ?m or less and an aspect ratio of 2 or more, wherein the (220) plane which is the crystal plane of the face-centered cubic lattice is oriented on the tabular surface of the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an apparatus for preparing a metal composite powder by using gas spraying. The method of preparing a metal composite powder by using gas spraying includes introducing a matrix phase in a chamber, including a reinforcing phase in the chamber, melting the introduced matrix phase to form a melt, adding the reinforcing phase in the melt, stirring the melt with the added reinforcing phase to form a melt mixture, atomizing the melt mixture together with a gas to form a metal composite powder containing the reinforcing phase, and collecting the metal composite powder formed.

Abstract: An alloy comprising at least two refractory metals and a method for forming such alloy are proposed. In the alloy, a first refractory metal such as tantalum forming a minor portion of the alloy is completely dissolved in a second refractory metal such as tungsten forming a major portion of the alloy. The alloy may be formed by providing the two refractory metals in a common crucible (step S1), melting both refractory metals by application of an electron beam (step S2), mixing the molten refractory metals (step S3) and solidifying the melt (step S4). Due to the possible complete mixing of the refractory metal components in a molten state, improved material properties of the solidified alloy may be achieved. Furthermore, due to the use of tantalum instead of rhenium together with tungsten, a cheap and resistant refractory metal alloy may be produced, which alloy may be used for example for forming a focal track region of an X-ray anode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing spheroidal metal particles having high size and shape uniformity from a melt from a highly reactive metal melt, with the following steps: melting the metal starting material under a hermetic seal; transporting the metal melt in a closed granulating tube from the melting furnace to at least one melt outlet; discharging the metal from the metal outlet via a rotary plate in the form of discrete drops to a melt stream which disintegrates into drops by the time it strikes the rotary plate; conducting a shielding gas flow into the region of the melt exiting from the melt outlet, collecting the melt on the rotary plate in the form of discrete melt drop, solidifying the melt drops into granule particles by contact with the colder surface of the rotary plate, and conducting the granule particles off the rotary plate for packaging/further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing nanoparticles, in which method starting materials for nanoparticles are mixed at least as liquid droplets and optionally also as gases and/or vapors with at least combustion gases in a premixing chamber and the mixture is separated for liquid drops larger than size d, whereafter the mixture is conducted to at least one burner, in which the combustion gases are ignited such that a heavily mixing flame is generated, in which the starting materials react and optional solvents evaporate and generate through nucleation and/or sintering and/or agglomeration particles having a diameter of 1 to 1000 micrometers.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator (12) is disclosed for example controlling gas flow in a gas turbine engine. The actuator (12) comprises a first portion (14) having shape memory properties, and a second portion (16) formed of substantially the same material as the first portion and having reduced shape memory properties relative to the first portion. The first portion (14) is movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion (14). The second portion (16) is arranged to urge the first portion (14) from the second position to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: In an electronic component having a wiring and/or an electrode prepared through firing of a paste or in an electronic component having a wiring in contact with a glass or glass ceramic member, provided is an electronic component using a Cu-based wiring material which less suffers from increase in electric resistance due to oxidation, which less causes bubbles in the glass or glass ceramic, and has satisfactory migration resistance. The Cu—Al alloy powder includes a Cu—Al alloy powder including Cu and, preferably, 50 percent by weight or less of Al; and an aluminum oxide film having a thickness of 80 nm or less and being present on the surface of the Cu—Al alloy powder. The powder, when compounded with a glass or glass ceramic material to give a paste, can be used to form wiring (interconnections), electrodes, and/or contact members.

Abstract: A process for producing metallic ultra-fine powder, which can use a raw material which is spread over a wide range, and control freely the grain size of the metallic powder to be produced, at low cost and high safety. The process for producing the metallic ultra fine powder consists of using a burner and a furnace which can generate a high temperature reductive atmosphere, and an apparatus for separating gas which is generated in the furnace from powder to recover the powder. The burner has a function of blowing a powdery metallic compound as a raw material into a high temperature reductive flame. The raw material powder is efficiently heated in airflow of a high temperature reductive flame, thereby being reduced rapidly into metallic ultra-fine powder. At this time, the grain size of the metallic ultra-fine powder is controlled by adjusting the oxygen ratio (i.e.

Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.

Abstract: Methods of generating nanoparticles are described that comprises feeding nebulized droplets into a radio frequency plasma torch to generate nanoparticles, wherein the majority of the nanoparticles generated have a diameter of less than about 50 nm. These methods are useful for synthesizing nanoparticles of metals, semiconductors, ceramics or any other material class where the precursors are either in liquid form or can be dissolved or suspended in a suitable liquid. Methods of feeding nebulized droplets and central gas into a radio frequency plasma torch and apparatus for generating nanoparticles are also described.