Abstract: An apparatus for the production of nanoparticles is provided. The apparatus includes a main tube that is closed at a bottom, an inlet channel arranged within the main tube and includes a first opening to the outside of the apparatus and a second opening to the main tube, and a main opening in the main tube. The main tube includes a sample position at the bottom, the cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube, and the second opening of the inlet channel is arranged closer to the sample position than the main opening. Furthermore, an arrangement for the production of nanoparticles and a method for producing nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a zinc-based alloy shot having a new formation and it also provides a method of manufacturing it. The zinc-based alloy shot has Cu added, and it is likely to have a relatively high hardness, and it is less likely to corrode (reduce color change) when it functions as a shot. The zinc-based alloy shot of the present invention comprises Cu as the main additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness, etc., and Fe as a co-additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness and for preventing corrosion. It gives a Vickers hardness of 40-150 HV. The chemical composition of the zinc-based alloy shot is usually Cu: 0.1˜13.0%; Fe: 0.0025˜0.25%; Zn: balance; and 1?Cu/Fe (measured in mass)?1000.

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: Shots made from a zinc-based alloy is provided, wherein no risk for explosion caused by powder dusts exists. They achieve a high performance in deflashing and grinding and cleaning by shot blasting and a high ability to create a high compressive residual stress. The lost amounts of them by shooting are small. The shots are made from a zinc-based alloy that contains three components that include A1 of 0.5 to 6.5 mass % and Cu of 0.5 to 4.5 mass % as additional elements, or that contains four components that further include Mg of 0.01 to 0.2 mass % as additional elements, wherein the ratio of the mass of A1 to Cu (A1/Cu) is 1.0 to 13.0, wherein the total amount of A1 and Cu (A1+Cu) is 1.5 to 10.5 mass %, and wherein the Vickers hardness of the shots is 90 to 190 HV.

Abstract: A method of producing metal powder using a nozzle including a flow path and an orifice includes: storing molten metal in a supply part; passing the molten metal through a tubular member below the supply part and injecting the molten metal from a bottom end of the tubular member into the flow path; subjecting the molten metal to primary breakup via depressurization inside the flow path to yield liquid droplets; and subjecting the liquid droplets to secondary breakup via contact with fluid injected from the orifice to yield further fine shapes, and solidifying them by cooling to obtain the metal powder, wherein the orifice opens toward a bottom end of the flow path, and the depressurization inside the flow path is generated by a stream of the fluid injected from the orifice into the flow path.

Abstract: In a solder paste which is a mixture of a flux and low melting point metal particles, low melting point metal fine particles manufactured by a conventional method or apparatus therefor include particles having widely varying particle diameters. Accordingly, the solder paste could not completely fill the minute holes in a mask for application to minute solder portions by printing, or mask removability was poor. According to the present invention, a mixture of a heat resistant continuous phase liquid and coarse metal particles in molten state is passed through a porous membrane to form the coarse low melting point metal particles into fine particles with a predetermined diameter. An apparatus according to the present invention comprise a porous membrane between a heating and dispersing mechanism and a cooling mechanism, and a pressure vessel connected to the heating and dispersing mechanism for applying a high pressure to the heating and dispersing mechanism.

Abstract: A solidified mass for a high-purity multicrystal silicon material that is preferably applicable to producing crystal type silicon ingots for photo voltaics, and a process for producing the solidified mass are provided. The mass of silicon solidified from molten state is a solidified mass produced by dropping molten silicon into a receiving vessel and allowing the vessel to receive the molten silicon, said solidified mass containing bubbles and having (i) an apparent density of not less than 1.5 g/cm3 and not more than 2.2 g/cm3 and (ii) a compressive strength of not less than 5 MPa and not more than 50 MPa. The process for producing a mass of silicon solidified from molten state includes the steps of dropping molten silicon into a receiving vessel and allowing the vessel to receive the molten silicon, wherein the surface temperature of the vessel for receiving the molten silicon is not lower than 0° C. and not higher than 1000° C.

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 method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: In a solder paste which is a mixture of a flux and low melting point metal particles, low melting point metal fine particles manufactured by a conventional method or apparatus therefor include particles having widely varying particle diameters. Accordingly, the solder paste could not completely fill the minute holes in a mask for application to minute solder portions by printing, or mask removability was poor. According to the present invention, a mixture of a heat resistant continuous phase liquid and coarse metal particles in molten state is passed through a porous membrane to form the coarse low melting point metal particles into fine particles with a predetermined diameter. An apparatus according to the present invention comprise a porous membrane between a heating and dispersing mechanism and a cooling mechanism, and a pressure vessel connected to the heating and dispersing mechanism for applying a high pressure to the heating and dispersing mechanism.

Abstract: Lead-free solder balls having a good surface appearance with no appreciable surface defects such as seams and shrinkage cavities comprises an alloy having a composition consisting essentially of about 4.0% to about 6.0% by weight of Ag, about 1.0% to about 2.0% by weight of Cu, and a balance of Sn, and they have a diameter of from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. The solder balls can be produced by forming a molten alloy having the above-described composition into solidified balls having a diameter of from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm using the surface tension of the molten alloy.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: The method of the present invention can 1) produce spherical and scaly ultrafine particles without pulverization, 2) obtain spherical ultrafine particles having a sharp spherical particle diameter distribution without requiring a sieving step, 3) produce spherical ultrafine particles extremely approximating a true circle and possessing a particle diameter of 100 nm˜50,000 nm allowing selection of a size suitable for the particular purpose of use and 4) produce spherical ultrafine particles on a commercial scale at low cost. There is also provided spherical ultrafine particles produced by the above production process. The spherical ultrafine particles of the present invention are characterized by a form having circularity of 0.9 to 1.0 and a particle diameter of 0.01 ?m to 10 ?m without pulverization. The spherical ultrafine particles can be produced by the method of the present invention using as a nozzle a base having special through holes and hole density.

Abstract: Method for refining and homogeneously distributing alloying partners and for removing undesired reaction products such as oxides and/or slag in or from soft solder during the production of fine solder powder, in which the solder alloy is melted in a high temperature-resistant plant and/or animal oil, the melt is moved to another container of oil with a temperature of at least 20° C. greater than the liquidus temperature, stirred there, and subjected to multiple shear treatments using rotors and stators for forming a dispersion comprising solder balls and oil, from which dispersion the solder balls are separated by means of subsequent sedimentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device (1) for the production of spherical metal particles (2) from a melt (3). In order to produce droplets a melt jet (8) is subjected to vibrations and is led through at least one nozzle (7). In order to produce spherical metal particles (2) the droplets at the outlet of the nozzle (7) are fed to a coolant (10) for purposes of consolidation. The nozzle (7) dips into the coolant (10), the temperature of the coolant (10) being below the melting point of the melt (3).

Abstract: A protective passivation layer is formed on the surface of an aluminum mass, such as bare aluminum particles, creating a protected aluminum mass. Formation of the protective layer onto the aluminum mass may occur from an in-situ process.

Abstract: A method for producing semiconductor or metal particles comprises the steps of: storing a semiconductor or metal melt in a crucible having a nozzle; supplying a gas comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe into the crucible such that the pressure of the supplied gas in a space over the melt in the crucible is higher than the pressure of a gaseous phase into which the melt is dropped; dropping the melt from the nozzle into the gaseous phase by the pressure of the gas to form liquid particles; and solidifying the liquid particles in the gaseous phase to obtain semiconductor or metal particles. The crucible comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of hexagonal BN, cubic BN, Si3N4, TiB2, ZrB2, zirconia and stabilized zirconia at least near the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: Metal-carbon composite powders and methods for producing metal-carbon composite powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology and preferably have a small average particle size. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of powder precursors. The invention also includes novel devices and products formed from the composite powders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are invented for producing an amorphous metal, which can readily realize amorphous metal fine particles of sub-micron order to 100 micron order including fine particles of several micrometer of a material from which an amorphous metal cannot be realized by conventional amorphous metal producing method and apparatus, with a high yield and an excellent extraction rate. A molten metal (1) is supplied into a liquid coolant (4), boiling due to spontaneous-bubble nucleation is generated, the molten metal (1) is rapidly cooled while forming fine particles thereof by utilizing a pressure wave generated by this boiling, thereby obtaining an amorphous metal.

Abstract: A crucible is formed of a cylindrical body member and a disk-shaped nozzle member fitted to the bottom portion of the body member, and the nozzle member is provided with a nozzle hole for discharging out a semiconductor molten solution dropwise therethrough. The semiconductor molten solution drops discharged out of the crucible through the nozzle hole are cooled and solidified during falling to become semiconductor grains. Silicon grains having high crystal quality can be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are invented for producing fine particles, which can readily realize the formation of fine particles of sub-?m order to 100 micron order as well as fine particles of several micrometer which cannot be realized by a conventional method and apparatus available for producing fine particles, and a large quantity of fine particles having the desired particle diameter can be obtained with a high yield. A molten material (1), which is a molten raw material to be fragmented into fine particles, is supplied into a liquid coolant (4), boiling due to spontaneous-bubble nucleation is generated, and the molten material (1) is cooled and solidified while forming fine particles thereof by utilizing a pressure wave generated by this boiling.

Abstract: Metal-carbon composite powders and methods for producing metal-carbon composite powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology and preferably have a small average particle size. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of powder precursors. The invention also includes novel devices and products formed from the composite powders.

Abstract: Fine battery powders and methods for producing fine battery powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology and preferably have a small average particle size. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of powder precursors. The invention also includes batteries formed from the powders.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of minute metallic spheres of the present invention comprises a heating means for heating and melting a metal to form a metallic sphere, a measurement means for measuring the injected molten metal into a predetermined volume, and a cooling means for cooling the molten metal discharged from the measurement means, to a temperature less than the melting point. The measurement means has a gauger of a predetermined volume in which the molten metal is injected, and is constructed such that the molten metal is cut by rubbing by the predetermined volume by sliding this gauger in contact. The molten metal is injected in the gauger of the predetermined volume to measure, and the measured molten metal is discharged from the gauger to cool to a temperature less than the melting point, and solidified into a sphere in the cooling process.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of minute metallic spheres of the present invention comprises a heating means for heating and melting a metal to form a metallic sphere, a measurement means for measuring the injected molten metal into a predetermined volume, and a cooling means for cooling the molten metal discharged from the measurement means, to a temperature less than the melting point. The measurement means has a gauger of a predetermined volume in which the molten metal is injected, and is constructed such that the molten metal is cut by rubbing by the predetermined volume by sliding this gauger in contact. The molten metal is injected in the gauger of the predetermined volume to measure, and the measured molten metal is discharged from the gauger to cool to a temperature less than the melting point, and solidified into a sphere in the cooling process.

Abstract: Medium- and high-density articles are formed from melting and casting alloys containing tungsten, iron, nickel and optionally manganese and/or steel. In some embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 8-10.5 g/cm3, and in other embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 10.5-15 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the articles are ferromagnetic, and in others the articles are not ferromagnetic. In some embodiments, tungsten forms the largest weight percent of the alloy, and in other embodiments the alloy contains no more than 50 wt % tungsten. In some embodiments, the articles are shell shot.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a plurality of spheres. A passageway is provided, and the passageway terminates in an orifice. A liquid is flowed through the passageway and expelled through the orifice to form drops. The drops are then passed through a fluid to cool and solidify the drops into a plurality of spheres. At least some of the spheres are collected. A pressure of the liquid is maintained within about ±10% of a value during the formation of the drops that are cooled into the collected spheres. The invention also includes a plurality of at least several hundred spheres having a diameter of less than about 0.05 inches and characterized by at least 95% of the spheres being within ±1.3% of a mean diameter of the spheres.

Abstract: In a high-speed fabrication process for producing highly uniform metallic microspheres, a molten metal is passed through a small orifice, producing a stream of molten metal therefrom. A series of molten metal droplets forms from the break up of the capillary stream. To achieve high uniformity of the spheres and avoid defects, the droplets are cooled before being captured. Separating the droplets, by causing them to travel in different paths than their adjacent droplets, helps to facilitate the cooling of the droplets. The droplets can be separated by electrostatically charging them as they break off from the capillary stream. The droplets are then passed through an electric field, which can be produced by a pair of deflection plates. The droplets are dispersed by varying the electric field—e.g., by rotating the plates or by varying the voltage applied thereto—or by varying the electrostatic charge of the droplets.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of minute metallic spheres of the present invention comprises a heating means for heating and melting a metal to form a metallic sphere, a measurement means for measuring the injected molten metal into a predetermined volume, and a cooling means for cooling the molten metal discharged from the measurement means, to a temperature less than the melting point. The measurement means has a gauger of a predetermined volume in which the molten metal is injected, and is constructed such that the molten metal is cut by rubbing by the predetermined volume by sliding this gauger in contact. The molten metal is injected in the gauger of the predetermined volume to measure, and the measured molten metal is discharged from the gauger to cool to a temperature less than the melting point, and solidified into a sphere in the cooling process.

Abstract: A solder ball having a diameter of 1.2 mm or less, a dispersion of a diameter distribution of 5% or less and sphericity of 0.95 or more, an area ratio of the maximum dendrite being 80% or less of a cross section including a center of the solder ball, comprises a first additional element of 0.5-8 mass % of Ag and/or 0.1-3 mass % of Cu, and 0.006-10 mass %, in total, of at least one second additional element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Ge, Ni, P, Mn, Au, Pd, Pt, S, In and Sb, the balance being substantially Sn. The solder ball is produced by a uniform droplet-spraying method comprising the steps of vibrating a melt of a solder alloy in a crucible under pressure to force the melt to drop through orifices of the crucible; permitting the melt dropping through the orifices to become spherical droplets in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere; and rapidly solidifying them.

Abstract: In a high-speed fabrication process for producing highly uniform ultra-small metallic micro-spheres, a molten metal is passed through a small orifice, producing a stream of molten metal therefrom. A series of molten metal droplets forms from the break up of the capillary stream. Applied harmonic disturbances are used to control and generate satellite and parent droplets. Significantly, the satellite droplets formed are smaller than the orifice, allowing for the production of smaller metal balls with larger orifices. The satellite droplets are separated from the parent droplets by electrostatic charging and deflection or by aerodynamic or acoustic sorting. Preferably, the satellite droplets are cooled before being collected to avoid defects and achieve high uniformity of the resulting metal balls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the formation of nearly spherical particles, particularly for the formation of metal or metal alloy particles with an induced duplex microstructure. The present invention provides an atomization apparatus having a nozzle positioned at the bottom of a cooling chamber. Rayleigh wave instability may be induced by imparting vibrations to a stream of molten material, which is released under positive pressure upward into a cooling chamber where the stream breaks up into substantially spherical droplets. This produces a plurality of uniform droplets, each droplet having an initial velocity sufficient to follow a unique upward parabolic trajectory above the aperture. These parabolic trajectories carry the individual droplets to a chill body disposed within the cooling chamber, with which they impact while they are at least partially molten.

Abstract: A fuel filter having a formulation of a stable intermetallic compound of materials such as tin and antimony. The filter may have an integral porous structure or may be in the form of particles. It removes trace metal ions such as Ca and Na ions.

Abstract: A method of forming metal spheres includes ejecting a precisely measured droplet of molten metal from a molten metal mass, buffering the molten metal droplet to reduce the internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet and cooling the buffered droplet until the droplet solidifies in the form of a metal sphere. An apparatus for fabricating metal spheres includes a droplet generator that generates a droplet from a molten metal mass, a buffering chamber that receives the droplet from the droplet generator, and diminishes internal kinetic energy of the droplet without solidifying the droplet, and a cooling drum that receives the droplet from the buffering chamber, and cools the droplet to the extent that the droplet solidifies into a metal sphere. The apparatus may further include a collector arrangement that receives the metal spheres from the cooling drum and makes the metal sphere available for collection.

Abstract: A system and method for making very small (e.g., 1 millimeter diameter) spherical shaped devices is disclosed. The system includes a supply system for providing predetermined amounts of raw material into a chamber, which is used for melting the raw material. The melted raw material is then provided to a dropper for measuring predetermined amounts of the melted raw material (droplets) and releasing the droplets into a drop tube, where they are cooled and solidified into spherical shaped silicon devices. The system includes a container of silicon powder in which the solidified spherical shaped devices are received from the drop tube, the container including a stirring mechanism for agitating the silicon powder. The system also includes a separating device for separating the powder from the solidified spherical shaped devices after the devices have been received into the container.

Abstract: Fine powders are made from molten metals and alloys on a continuous basis. A rapidly spinning shallow cup has an atomizing fluid such as water, oil or any other hydrocarbon supplied to the cup to form a thin sheet or layer which is distributed on the inner surface of the cup. Within the cup a stream or spray of molten metal is propelled into this thin sheet of atomizing fluid. The metal interacts with the atomizing fluid film and is fragmented or broken down into many small droplets which are quenched by the atomizing fluid and solidified into fine powder. These powders in the form of a slurry with the atomizing fluid can be continuously removed as the slurry discharges up over the lip of the cup by centrifugal force and the powders can be recovered. In a preferred embodiment a preatomizer is positioned between the incoming stream of molten metal and the spinning cup.

Abstract: A soldering ball fabrication method includes the steps of: (1) drawing a metal wire rod into the desired thickness, (2) cutting the metal wire thus obtained into pieces subject to the desired length, (3) washing the pieces of metal wire to remove dust, (4) processing the pieces of metal wire into balls, (5) washing the balls thus obtained, (6) using a screen to select the balls, (7) inspecting selected balls, and (8) obtaining approved soldering balls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for producing soft solder powder without pressure, in particular for producing spherical fine metal particles having a grain size ranging from 1-100 microns and a liquidus temperature <250 degrees C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method that comprises dispersing a stream of a melt flowing from a die by applying perturbations to said stream in an inert cooling gas which has an optimal temperature and is depleted of oxygen up to a value not exceeding 0.0001 mol. %. after their output at a stationary generation mode, the granules are recovered in the outlet portion of a heat-exchange chamber. The die is made of a heat-resistant material and has a flow section with a length defined by the relation 2d<1<20d. The perturbation frequency of the stream is defined by relation f=Wko/&pgr;do(1+c&tgr;)2  (I) where &tgr; is the dispersion time (at the initial moment &tgr;=0); c is the empirical coefficient characterizing the die material resistance to the perturbation of the stream; w is the flow rate of the stream; do is the initial value of the stream diameter; and ko is equal to 0.7 and is the value of the non-dimensional wave number.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing single crystal semiconductor particulate in near spherical shape and the particulate product so formed is accomplished by producing uniform, monosized, near spherical droplets; identifying the position of an undercooled droplet in a nucleation zone; and seeding the identified droplet in the nucleation zone to initiate single crystal growth in the droplet.

Abstract: A procedure for making zinc particles of a size, shape and composition such that the particles can be subsequently used in a process for manufacturing zinc parts from such particles in either molten or powder form includes the initial step of heating zinc to a temperature at least as high as 720.degree. C. The molten zinc is passed through a screen having small openings, on the order of about 1/4".times.1/4" into a cooling region formed by a movable surface which is at a temperature of on the order of about -200.degree. C. The zinc forms small particles as it passes through the openings in the screen and essentially instantaneously solidifies as it contacts the movable surface. Thereafter, the solidified zinc particles are subjected to a grinding process to reduce their size to a powder having a surface area in the range of 2 mm.sup.2 to 20 mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A collection of agglomerated anti-friction grains for plasma deposition, the grains each consisting essentially of (a) H.sub.2 O atomized stainless steel particles, (b) solid lubricant particles consisting of at least one of boron nitride or a eutectic of calcium fluoride and lithium fluoride, and (c) a binder holding said steel and solid lubricant particles together for plasma spraying, said binder being present in an amount of 0.5-4.0% by weight and is vaporizable at the temperature of plasma spraying and does not interfere with the deposited process. A method of making agglomerated grains of powder suitable for plasma deposition, by (a) H.sub.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an alumina-dispersed reinforced copper alloy according to the invention is an improved method which is capable of manufacturing efficiently alumina-dispersed reinforced copper having both good electro-conductivity used for wire-manufacturing-material and good mechanical property, the manufacturing method comprises the steps of obtaining powders constituted by particles having aluminum-contained copper alloy-oxide, allowing to mill aluminum-contained copper alloy powder within the air atmosphere by milling device with mechanical-alloying-operation due to shock compression, converting aluminum into aluminum-oxide by heat-treatment of the powders within inert atmosphere, implementing reduction-treatment of the converted member within the reducing atmosphere, and executing hot extrusion the reduction-treated-material.

Abstract: A sputtering target comprising a body of metal such as aluminum and its alloy with an ultrafine grain size and small second phase. Also described is a method for making an ultra-fine grain sputtering target comprising melting, atomizing, and depositing atomized metal to form a workpiece, and fabricating the workpiece to form a sputtering target. A method is also disclosed that includes the steps of extruding a workpiece through a die having contiguous, transverse inlet and outlet channels of substantially identical cross section, and fabricating the extruded article into a sputtering target. The extrusion may be performed several times, producing grain size of still smaller size and controlled grain texture.

Abstract: A sputtering target comprising a body of metal such as aluminum and its alloy with an ultrafine grain size and small second phase. Also described is a method for making an ultra-fine grain sputtering target comprising melting, atomizing, and depositing atomized metal to form a workpiece, and fabricating the workpiece to form a sputtering target. A method is also disclosed that includes the steps of extruding a workpiece through a die having contiguous, transverse inlet and outlet channels of substantially identical cross section, and fabricating the extruded article into a sputtering target. The extrusion may be performed several times, producing grain size of still smaller size and controlled grain texture.

Abstract: A crucible is formed of a cylindrical body member and a disk-shaped nozzle member fitted to the bottom portion of the body member, and the nozzle member is provided with a nozzle hole for discharging out a semiconductor molten solution dropwise therethrough. The semiconductor molten solution drops discharged out of the crucible through the nozzle hole are cooled and solidified during falling to become semiconductor grains. Silicon grains having high crystal quality can be manufactured at low cost.