Abstract: A cutting element include a substrate and a diamond compact including at least two polycrystalline diamond portions separated by at least one metal carbide foil portion. The cutting element is made by placing diamond powder in a reaction container, placing a thin metal layer in the reaction container above or around the diamond powder and binder, placing additional diamond powder in the reaction container above or around the thin metal layer, and placing a pre-sintered substrate containing binder into the reaction container above all diamond powder and thin metal layer components. The assembled reaction container is put into a reactor and is subjected to a high-temperature high-pressure sintering process. The binder in the pre-sintered substrate sweeps through to sinter the first diamond portion, and then reacts with the thin metal layer to form a metal carbide, and then the binder continues to sweep through to sinter the second diamond portion.

Abstract: Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided.

Abstract: Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided.

Abstract: Direct-write techniques are provided for the high speed (up to millimeter per second) and continuous fabrication of elongated nanostructures such as nanofibers. The nanofibers may be of an ionic solid, a hydrated salt, a molecular solid, or aggregated colloidal particles such as semiconductor particles. The nanofibers may also be converted to other forms.