Abstract: Method and apparatus for making nanoparticles of a material having a diameter of 100 nanometers or less wherein the material to be formed into nanoparticles is evaporated to form a vapor plume therein, a non-reactive entrainment gaseous atmosphere suitable for evaporation conditions is introduced to a first chamber, a gaseous jet is directed through the vapor plume in a direction to carry nanoparticles formed by quenching of the vapor plume through a flow restriction orifice between the first chamber and a second chamber downstream of the first chamber, recirculation of the gaseous jet and nanoparticles entrained therein from the second chamber to the first chamber is substantially prevented to thereby provide a second stage of the gaseous jet downstream of the orifice and substantially isolated from said first chamber for flow to the second chamber, and collecting the nanoparticles from the second stage of said gaseous jet in a collection chamber downstream from the orifice.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing encapsulated nanocrystals inside protective shells is disclosed. This method produces nanocrystals of metals, alloys, and compounds which are individually encapsulated by protective graphite shells which completely separate the nanocrystals from the environment. A separation method is also disclosed which eliminates most of all other debris except the encapsulated nanocrystals from the preparation product.