Abstract: Provided are copper microparticles which have exceptional oxidation resistance, in which oxidation is reduced even when the copper microparticles are held at a firing temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, and in which sintering also occurs. The copper microparticles have a particle diameter of 10-100 nm, have a surface coating material, and are such that, after the copper microparticles are held for one hour at a temperature of 400° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, the particle diameter exceeds 100 nm while a copper state is retained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to unique powder feedstocks such as Tantalum, Yttrium Stabilized Zirconia, Aluminum, water atomized alloys, Rhenium, Tungsten, and Molybdenum. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: A method for continuously preparing nanoparticles including a noble metal or an alloy thereof belongs to the technical field of preparation of inorganic nanomaterials. A three-way quartz tube microreactor is designed; noble metal solutions used as raw materials are continuously inputted into the microreactor by injection pumps; and a plasma technology is coupled to form discharge in the microreactor to directly prepare nanoparticles including a noble metal or an alloy thereof. The device and the method have low energy consumption, wide operation range, safety, high efficiency, green and environmental protection. The synthesized nanoparticles have high purity, small size, narrow particle size distribution and adjustable components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming one or more nanoparticles. The methods include depositing a solution comprising a block copolymer and a metal salt into one or more square pyramidal nanoholes formed in a substrate, and annealing the substrate to provide a single nanoparticle in each of the one or more square pyramidal nanoholes.

Abstract: The nanoparticle assembly includes nanoparticles having an average primary particle size of 60 nm or less, and the nanoparticle assembly has a diameter of more than 500 nm and 5 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ear-of-rice-shaped copper particles. The technical gist thereof is a method of manufacturing ear-of-rice-shaped copper particles, ear-of-rice-shaped copper particles manufactured thereby, and a conductive paste using the same. The method includes a first step of preparing a copper precursor solution, a second step of adjusting the pH of the copper precursor solution, a third step of adding a zinc powder to the pH-adjusted copper precursor solution, a fourth step of synthesizing the ear-of-rice-shaped copper particles by stirring the copper precursor solution, to which the zinc powder is added, for a predetermined time, and a fifth step of separating, washing, and then drying the synthesized ear-of-rice-shaped copper particles.

Abstract: In the present invention, a fine silver particle has a particle diameter of 65-80 nm and has, on the surface of the particle, a thin film comprising a hydrocarbon compound. The fine silver particle has an exothermic peal temperature of 140-155° C. in differential thermal analysis. If d denotes the particle diameter after firing at a temperature of 100° C. for one hour and D denotes the particle diameter before firing, it is preferable for the fine silver particle to have a particle growth rate, as represented by (d?D)/D (%), of 50% or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode material for batteries made from tungsten oxide powder, wherein the tungsten oxide powder has a first peak present within a wavenumber range of 268 to 274 cm?1, a second peak present within a wavenumber range of 630 to 720 cm?1, and a third peak present within a wavenumber range of 800 to 810 cm?1, when a Raman spectroscopic analysis method is performed on the electrode material.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy contains 68 atomic % or more and 86 atomic % or less of Re, 8 atomic % or more and 12 atomic % or less of Hf, and 0.1 atomic % or more and 5 atomic % or less of O.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for improving a communication rate, which are used in a terminal working in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) state. The method includes: obtaining strength of a first signal received in a first path connected to a first antenna and strength of a second signal received in a second path connected to a second antenna; and adjusting the first path or/and the second path according to a difference between the strength of the first signal and the strength of the second signal, so as to reduce an unbalance degree between the first path and the second path, thereby improving the communication rate. By adopting the present invention, improvement of a rate of an antenna may be achieved by adjusting a balance between the first and second paths.

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: 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: A method of and system for recirculating a fluid in a particle production system. A reactor produces a reactive particle-gas mixture. A quench chamber mixes a conditioning fluid with the reactive particle-gas mixture, producing a cooled particle-gas mixture that comprises a plurality of precursor material particles and an output fluid. A filter element filters the output fluid, producing a filtered output. A temperature control module controls the temperature of the filtered output, producing a temperature-controlled, filtered output. A content ratio control module modulates the content of the temperature-controlled, filtered output, thereby producing a content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output. A channeling element supplies the content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output to the quench chamber, wherein the content-controlled, filtered output is provided to the quench chamber as the conditioning fluid to be used in cooling the reactive particle-gas mixture.

Abstract: A plasma gun system comprising: a plasma gun comprising an outlet, wherein the plasma gun is configured to generate a plasma stream and provide the plasma stream to the outlet; and a plasma gun extension assembly configured to be coupled to the plasma gun, wherein the plasma gun extension assembly comprises an extension chamber and a port, the extension chamber having an interior diameter defined by a chamber wall and being configured to receive the plasma stream from the outlet of the plasma gun and to enable the plasma stream to expand upon entering the extension chamber, and the port being configured to introduce a powder to the expanded plasma stream at a location outside of the plasma gun.

Abstract: A method of operation in an ethernet receiver circuit is disclosed. The method comprises sampling an input signal to generate a sampled signal having a sampled noise component and a sampled data component. The sampled signal is sliced, and a slicer error determined based on the slicing of the sampled signal. A subsequently sampled noise component is filtered based on the slicer error.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a powder having a high surface area is provided. According to the method of manufacturing a powder having a high surface area, a metal electrolyte in which metal ions of different kinds of first metals are dissociated is prepared. Subsequently, a metal alloy powder formed of the first metals is formed by soaking a second metal having a higher reducing power than the first metals in the metal electrolyte to induce a first spontaneous substitution reaction. Therefore, it is possible to form a powder having an improved specific surface area.

Abstract: Particles of iron and nickel are added to a flowing plasma stream which does not chemically alter the iron or nickel. The iron and nickel are heated and vaporized in the stream, and then a cryogenic fluid is added to the stream to rapidly cause the formation of nanometer size particles of iron and nickel. The particles are separated from the stream. The particles are preferably formed as single crystals in which the iron and nickel atoms are organized in a tetragonal L10 crystal structure which displays magnetic anisotropy. A minor portion of an additive, such as titanium, vanadium, aluminum, boron, carbon, phosphorous, or sulfur, may be added to the plasma stream with the iron and nickel to enhance formation of the desired crystal structure.

Abstract: A process for treating a zirconium containing feedstock includes fluorinating a feedstock comprising dissociated zircon (‘DZ’) to obtain a zirconium fluorine compound and a silicon fluorine compound. The zirconium fluorine compound is separated from the silicon fluorine compound is provided. Optionally, the zirconium fluorine compound is reacted with a non-fluorine halogen, an alkali metal non-fluorine halide or an alkaline-earth metal non-fluorine halide, thereby to obtain a zirconium non-fluorine halide. The zirconium fluorine compound or, when present, the zirconium non-fluorine halide is subjected to plasma reduction, in a plasma reduction stage, in the presence of a reductant, to obtain metallic zirconium.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanometer-size spherical particles. Each of the particles is made of at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy, and a metal compound. The particles include one or both of a polycrystalline region and a single-crystalline region. The particles have a particle size of less than 1 ?m; and a sphericity of ?10% to +10%.

Abstract: Materials, techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing high-strength permanent magnets. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a magnet includes distributing particles of a first magnetic material such that the particles are substantially separated, in which the particles include a surface substantially free of oxygen. The method includes forming a coating of a second magnetic material over each of the particles, in which the coating forms an interface at the surface that facilitates magnetic exchange coupling between the first and second magnetic materials. The method includes consolidating the coated particles to produce a magnet that is magnetically stronger than each of the first and second magnetic materials.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a manufacturing method of high purity and refined Ru (Ruthenium) powder produced by using a waste Ru target. Yield of the target and physical properties of a thin film are improved by producing tremendously refined in which oxygen content of the target is decreased, and a crystal particle size is reduced. In order to obtain these merits, powder having a hollow inside is produced by applying plasma to a waste Ru target. Carbon impurities are selectively removed through a atmospheric heat process and Ru powder is oxidized. Thereby, Ru oxide (RuOx) powder is produced. High purity and refined Ru powder is acquired through a hydrogen atmospheric heat process after pulverizing the produced Ru oxide (RuOx) powder into refined shape.

Abstract: In various embodiments, low-oxygen metal powder is produced by heating a metal powder to a temperature at which an oxide of the metal powder becomes thermodynamically unstable and applying a pressure to volatilize the oxygen.

Abstract: There are provided a nickel powder for an internal electrode, synthesized by a vapor phase synthesis method using plasma, more particularly, a nickel powder for an internal electrode, having a favorable crystallite diameter and high density, a method of producing the same, and a multilayer ceramic electronic component including the same. According to the nickel powder for an internal electrode, the method of producing the same, and the multilayer ceramic electronic component including the same, a nickel powder having less impurities, a favorable crystallite diameter, and high density can be produced.

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: 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 of making carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles comprising entraining particles in an aerosol gas, providing a carbon-containing gas, providing a plasma gas, mixing the aerosol gas, the carbon-containing gas, and the plasma gas proximate a torch, bombarding the mixed gases with microwaves, and collecting resulting carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing thermoelectric material particles, the method comprising: disposing a first electrode and a second electrode in a dielectric liquid medium, wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise a thermoelectric material; applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes to cause a spark between the first and second electrodes to provide a vaporized thermoelectric material at a sparking point of at least one of the first and second electrodes; and cooling the vaporized thermoelectric material with the dielectric liquid medium to prepare the thermoelectric material particles.

Abstract: A method of and system for recirculating a fluid in a particle production system. A reactor produces a reactive particle-gas mixture. A quench chamber mixes a conditioning fluid with the reactive particle-gas mixture, producing a cooled particle-gas mixture that comprises a plurality of precursor material particles and an output fluid. A filter element filters the output fluid, producing a filtered output. A temperature control module controls the temperature of the filtered output, producing a temperature-controlled, filtered output. A content ratio control module modulates the content of the temperature-controlled, filtered output, thereby producing a content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output. A channeling element supplies the content-controlled, temperature-controlled, filtered output to the quench chamber, wherein the content-controlled, filtered output is provided to the quench chamber as the conditioning fluid to be used in cooling the reactive particle-gas mixture.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for producing nanoparticles of a low melting point material such as gold at more than 10 times faster the rate of conventional technology while maintaining the time-averaged temperature of pulse-modulated atmospheric-pressure plasma at a temperature that is low enough so as not to damage a heat-sensitive material disposed downstream. This method of preparing nanoparticles of a low melting point inorganic material in which a wire made of a low melting point inorganic material is inserted into a plasma-generating capillary tube or a plasma-generating nozzle and atmospheric-pressure high frequency plasma is generated in the capillary tube or nozzle is characterized by generating the plasma by applying a high frequency voltage possessing a waveform which exhibits its maximum value when it rises and then immediately falls, and which is pulse-modulated so that the duty ratio thereof is 10% or less.

Abstract: The Ultrafine alloy particles of an alloy includes a primary metal and one or more subsidiary metals solid-soluble in said primary metal, a content of the one or more subsidiary metals is in a range of 1 wt % to 25 wt % and the one or more subsidiary metals solid-solved in the primary metal inhibit coalescence or oxidation of the ultrafine alloy particles including the primary metal, or both. The process introduces powder materials including the primary metal and the one or more subsidiary metals for producing the ultrafine alloy particles into a thermal plasma flame under reduced pressure to form a vapor-phase mixture and introduces a cooling gas toward an end portion of the thermal plasma flame in a supply amount sufficient for quenching the vapor-phase mixture so as to generate the ultrafine alloy particles.

Abstract: Recovery of a metal from scrap materials or other source materials containing two or more metals or other materials by iodization of the materials or parts of them to create multiple metal iodides of respective metals, separating the iodides and dissociating at least one of the iodides to recover its metal component.

Abstract: A method for producing conductor fine particles in which the advantages of conventional vapor phase method and liquid phase method are utilized while eliminating the drawbacks of both methods remarkably. Furthermore, definite guidelines and measure for improvement are given to the greatest problems common to the vapor phase method and liquid phase method, i.e., enhancement in quality of the unit fine particle and a fine particle production method controllably temporarily and regionally. The method for producing conductor fine particles comprises a step for applying a voltage to a pair of electrode consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged in conductive liquid and generating plasma in the vicinity of the negative electrode, and a step for producing conductor fine particles by melting the metal material of the negative electrode and then re-solidifying.

Abstract: Method for the production of mixed oxides and permanent magnetic particles, based on rare earths-transition metals to produce RETM magnetic materials, comprising the preparation of a parent compounds mixture; introducing the parent compound mixture into a reactor with heat energy input, where the atomization die generates fine droplets as spray or aerosol; subjecting the fine droplets formed to pyrolysis and combustion, and; reducing the mixed oxide particles formed and collected as homogenous powder, obtaining permanent magnetic particles; being a simple method and allowing to obtain homogeneous and versatile compositions, especially for Rare Earth-Transition Metal (RETM) type permanent magnets, where RE (rare earth) can be, for example, an element such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium or a combination thereof, among other possibilities, and TM (transition metal) can be, for example, iron, cobalt, nickel or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In various embodiments, low-oxygen metal powder is produced by heating a metal powder to a temperature at which an oxide of the metal powder becomes thermodynamically unstable and applying a pressure to volatilize the oxygen.

Abstract: This invention relates to Mn—Al magnetic powders of a high coercive force which are obtained from Mn—Al alloy vaporized by plasma arc discharging, and a manufacturing method thereof. The Mn—Al magnetic powders are produced by discharging a plasma arc to a compact which is formed by compacting a blend containing 20-60% by weight of Mn powder and 40-80% by weight of Al powder, collecting nanoscale Mn—Al particles after cooling the vaporized blend, and heat-treating the particles. According to the present invention, the Mn—Al magnetic powders of light weight and enhanced corrosion resistance are produced at a low cost.

Abstract: A method for purifying metal M1 particles manufactured by an electrochemical reduction process, the method comprising the steps of introducing the metal M1 particles into a heat source (13) at a temperature substantially equal to or higher than the melting point of M1 so as to cause vaporisation of some or substantially all of the contaminating impurities present, removing the vaporised impurities from the vicinity of the particles, and cooling the purified metal M1 particles. The purified particles can be used directly in lower temperature powder metallurgy processes and have a fully dense spherical particle morphology, imparting good flowability. The purification process can also be incorporated as an integral stage of sheet or stock production processes based on particle feedstocks that have been produced by electrochemical reduction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a metal powder having a purity at least as high as the starting powder and having an oxygen content of 10 ppm or less comprising heating said metal powder containing oxygen in the form of an oxide, with the total oxygen content being from 50 to 3000 ppmf in an inert atmosphere at a pressure of from 1 bar to 10?7 to a temperature at which the oxide of the metal powder becomes thermodynamically unstable and removing the resulting oxygen via volatilization. The metal powder is preferably selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, vanadium, rhenium and tungsten. The invention also relates to the powders produced by the process and the use of such powders in a cold spray process.

Abstract: A constricting chamber having first and second ends, the chamber comprising: an interior surface formed between the first and second ends, disposed circumferentially around and defining an interior space and a longitudinal axis of the chamber; a frusto-conical surface disposed between the first and second ends and narrowing as it extends away from the first end and into the second end; an ejection port disposed at the second end and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis; a cover disposed at the first end, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and comprising a center substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis; an injection port disposed on the cover proximate the center, and configured to receive a reactive mixture into the chamber; and an annular supply portion disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and comprising supply port(s) configured to supply conditioning fluid into the chamber in an annular formation along the interior surface.

Abstract: Efficiently produce micro-dispersion water of super-fine noble metal particles having a desired concentration by using a very safe, compact production apparatus comprising a power supply for high-voltage/current discharge, a high-voltage discharge generator equipped with a noble metal electrode and its counter electrode, a water tank, a water inlet to the water tank, and an outlet for micro-dispersion water of super-fine noble metal particles, by causing plasma discharge in water between the noble metal electrode and its counter electrode and then causing the generated noble metal ion vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water. The obtained water can be effectively used as drinking water.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.

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.

Abstract: A process for producing a low-oxygen metal powder, comprising passing a raw metal powder coated by hot melting of a hydrocarbon organic compound through thermal plasma flame composed mainly of an inert gas so as to reduce the content of oxygen in the raw metal powder. Preferably, the obtained metal powder is subjected to heat treatment in vacuum or hydrogen atmosphere. Preferred example of the hydrocarbon organic compound is stearic acid.

Abstract: The Ultrafine alloy particles of an alloy includes a primary metal and one or more subsidiary metals solid-soluble in said primary metal, a content of the one or more subsidiary metals is in a range of 1 wt % to 25 wt % and the one or more subsidiary metals solid-solved in the primary metal inhibit coalescence or oxidation of the ultrafine alloy particles including the primary metal, or both. The process introduces powder materials including the primary metal and the one or more subsidiary metals for producing the ultrafine alloy particles into a thermal plasma flame under reduced pressure to form a vapor-phase mixture and introduces a cooling gas toward an end portion of the thermal plasma flame in a supply amount sufficient for quenching the vapor-phase mixture so as to generate the ultrafine alloy particles.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for producing nanoparticles of a low melting point material such as gold at more than 10 times faster the rate of conventional technology while maintaining the time-averaged temperature of pulse-modulated atmospheric-pressure plasma at a temperature that is low enough so as not to damage a heat-sensitive material disposed downstream. This method of preparing nanoparticles of a low melting point inorganic material in which a wire made of a low melting point inorganic material is inserted into a plasma-generating capillary tube or a plasma-generating nozzle and atmospheric-pressure high frequency plasma is generated in the capillary tube or nozzle is characterized by generating the plasma by applying a high frequency voltage possessing a waveform which exhibits its maximum value when it rises and then immediately falls, and which is pulse-modulated so that the duty ratio thereof is 10% or less.

Abstract: A powder batch is described comprising single crystal metal-containing particles having a crystal size of less than 50 nm as measured by X-ray diffraction and having a weight average particle size of from about 10 nanometers to less than 100 nanometers as measured by transmission electron microscopy and including a continuous or non-continuous coating of a ceramic material. The powder batch is preferably produced by flame spraying.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a supported metal nanoparticle, which has the steps of adsorbing a metal ion-containing compound to a support of an organic material and reducing the adsorbed metal ion to form a metal nanoparticle on the support. In the producing method, by using a various organic material as a matrix, the metal nanoparticle can be easily formed in situ with excellent accuracy from the metal ion-containing compound.

Abstract: Porous microparticles of high-purity tantalum may be processed in a vacuum plasmatron using a hollow cathode and spraying apparatus in which the coolant is in the form of a metal surface. In one embodiment, the initial powder of tantalum is introduced through a coaxial hole in a hollow cathode and supplied to a vertical column of plasma by inert gas and exposed to heating to temperatures close to the melting point of tantalum. The atomizing tantalum particles are directed through a hole in the anode and collide with a rotating inclined tantalum substrate and cooled from within water, thereby flattened and solidifying the particles.

Abstract: A vaporised flow quenching reactor for producing a fine-powder from one or more reactant materials. The reactor comprises a first heat source selected from one of a DC plasma torch and RF plasma torch, a first reaction chamber within which energized reactant materials react and a first convergent-divergent nozzle for quenching the heated reactant materials from the first reaction chamber. The reactor also comprises a second reaction chamber provided for congregation of nano particles formed therefrom and a second convergent-divergent nozzle to deliver the nano particles to a collection chamber.

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.