Abstract: Natural biomineral fertilizers for sustainable farming are produced in an environmentally sound manner from mine waste. Finely divided mine waste and process tailings serve as a novel source of rock powder for use as fertilizer. Mine waste and process tailings may be treated with non-toxic chemicals to selectively remove certain unwanted elements such as mercury. Solid and liquid fertilizers are also obtained by digesting mine waste and process tailings in combination with bio-waste plus selected bacteria under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic digestion also generates methane gas for use as fuel for generating electricity or for process heating.

Abstract: Hardened amalgams formed from copper mixed with liquid gallium or liquid gallium-indium alloys are used to fabricate sputter targets comprised of copper, gallium and indium (CIG) and targets of selenides of copper, gallium and indium (CIGS). Amalgam hardening occurs by formation of intermetallic compounds at or near ambient temperature as a result of reaction between liquid metals and solid metals in powder form.

Abstract: Hardened amalgams formed from copper mixed with liquid gallium or liquid gallium-indium alloys are used to fabricate sputter targets comprised of copper, gallium and indium (CIG) and targets of selenides of copper, gallium and indium (CIGS). Amalgam hardening occurs by formation of intermetallic compounds at or near ambient temperature as a result of reaction between liquid metals and solid metals in powder form.

Abstract: A method for fabricating sputter targets is based on electrolytic deposition of metals or metal alloys onto the planar surface of a target backing plate. The target material can be electrolytically deposited onto the backing plate directly, or first electrolytically deposited onto the surface of a thin metal starting sheet which, after plating is complete, is then subsequently solder bonded to a substantially thicker metal backing plate. The disclosed technology includes steps for protecting regions of a target backing plate or starting sheet from deposition, said regions being other than the surface to be coated with target material by means of electrolytic deposition.

Abstract: An improved process for producing high purity silicon results from the reaction of sodium with pure silicon tetrafluoride gas, which produces sodium fluoride as a by-product. The silicon tetrafluoride gas is formed by decomposing sodium fluorosilicate. The sodium fluorosilicate is produced by precipitation when fluorosilicic acid (FSA) is reacted with the by-product sodium fluoride in closed loop process. Likewise, the fluorosilicic acid is preferably formed at high purity using a source material that consists essentially of silica by reacting the by-product sodium fluoride with an acid to create reactive fluoride ions.

Abstract: Sputter targets comprising a target backing plate and a target deposit, are manufactured using electroless and electrolytic deposition of metal and metal alloys on a surface of the target backing plate. Portions of the target backing plate other than the surface can be protected from the deposition process. In addition, sputter targets comprising a target backing plate and a target deposit with complex combinations of materials are manufactured by simultaneous electroless deposition of a matrix metal and particulate material.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of thin film magnetic disks and other useful articles of similar planar geometry in which a non-magnetic layer is first deposited on one or both sides of the disk or article substrate to mask chemical and mechanically induced heterogeneities introduced by pre-polishing to achieve a smooth finish, typically resulting in cold-working of the surface, and to also bind to the substrate and is then coated with a thin layer of metal selected to either reactively or catalytically initiate smooth, electroless deposition of a non-magnetic nickel alloy which is subsequently polished and coated with additional thin layers to provide magnetic read-write capability. A disk drive using one or more of such disks is provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of thin film magnetic disks and other useful articles of similar planar geometry in which a non-magnetic layer is first deposited on one or both sides of the disk or article substrate to mask chemical and mechanically induced heterogeneities introduced by pre-polishing to achieve a smooth finish, typically resulting in cold-working of the surface, and to also bind to the substrate and is then coated with a thin layer of metal selected to either reactively or catalytically initiate smooth, electroless deposition of a non-magnetic nickel alloy which is subsequently polished and coated with additional thin layers to provide magnetic read-write capability. A disk drive using one or more of such disks is provided.

Abstract: A low-temperature flux is described which dissolves the refractory oxide layer from a shape memory alloy containing both nickel and titanium, such as Nitinol, and from other metals like stainless steel. The flux is particularly useful for preparing shape memory alloy members for soldering and permits joining of such members to other members, comprising, for example, stainless steel, used in structures like medical devices. The flux is a non-aqueous molten salt formulated on eutectic mixtures of KOH (potassium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and LiOH (lithium hydroxide), with melting temperatures in a range from about 170° C. to about 226° C.

Abstract: A low-temperature flux is described which dissolves the refractory oxide layer from a shape memory alloy containing both nickel and titanium, such as Nitinol, and from other metals like stainless steel. The flux is particularly useful for preparing shape memory alloy members for soldering and permits joining of such members to other members, comprising, for example, stainless steel, used in structures like medical devices. The flux is a non-aqueous molten salt formulated on eutectic mixtures of KOH (potassium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and LiOH (lithium hydroxide), with melting temperatures in a range from about 170° C. to about 226° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of thin film magnetic disks and other useful articles of similar planar geometry in which a non-magnetic layer is first deposited on one or both sides of the disk or article substrate to mask chemical and mechanically induced heterogeneities introduced by pre-polishing to achieve a smooth finish, typically resulting in cold-working of the surface, and to also bind to the substrate and is then coated with a thin layer of metal selected to either reactively or catalytically initiate smooth, electroless deposition of a non-magnetic nickel alloy which is subsequently polished and coated with additional thin layers to provide magnetic read-write capability. A disk drive using one or more of such disks is provided.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which has a high strength proximal portion, a distal portion formed of superelastic alloy and a connector formed of superelastic alloy to provide torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal portion and the proximal end of the distal portion. The superelastic alloy elements are preferably cold worked and then heat treated at a temperature well above the austenite-to-martensite transformation temperature, while being subjected to longitudinal stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature yield stress to impart to the metal a straight “memory.” The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of at least 70 ksi for solid members and at least 50 ksi for tubular members with a broad recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which has a high strength proximal portion, a distal portion formed of superelastic alloy and a connector formed of superelastic alloy to provide torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal portion and the proximal end of the distal portion. The superelastic alloy elements are preferably cold worked and then heat treated at a temperature well above the austenite-to-martensite transformation temperature, while being subjected to longitudinal stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature yield stress to impart to the metal a straight “memory.” The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of at least 70 ksi for solid members and at least 50 ksi for tubular members with a broad Recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of thin film magnetic disks and other useful articles of similar planar geometry in which a non-magnetic layer is first deposited on one or both sides of the disk or article substrate to mask chemical and mechanically induced heterogeneities introduced by pre-polishing to achieve a smooth finish, typically resulting in cold-working of the surface, and to also bind to the substrate and is then coated with a thin layer of metal selected to either reactively or catalytically initiate smooth, electroless deposition of a non-magnetic nickel alloy which is subsequently polished and coated with additional thin layers to provide magnetic read-write capability. A disk drive using one or more of such disks is provided.

Abstract: An improved wear resistant bump contact is produced by the inclusion of small particles of hard materials in the conductive material of the contact bump, preferably by co-deposition at the time of electroplating of the bump bulk material. Desirable attributes of the small particles of hard material include small particle size, hardness greater than the hardness of the bulk material of the contact bump, compatibility with the plating conditions, and electrical conductivity. Nitride, borides, silicides, carbides are typical interstitial compounds suitable for use in satisfying these desirable attributes. In one preferred example, a nickel bulk material and silicon carbide particles are utilized. In one variation, the bump of metal-particle co-deposited material is coated by a thin cap layer of noble, non-oxidizing metal to prevent electrical erosion by arcing as contact is made and broken from the pad. Rhodium and ruthenium are suitable metals and can be electrodeposition over the composite bump structure.

Abstract: An improved wear resistant bump contact is produced by the inclusion of small particles of hard materials in the conductive material of the contact bump, preferably by co-deposition at the time of electroplating of the bump bulk material. Desirable attributes of the small particles of hard material include small particle size, hardness greater than the hardness of the bulk material of the contact bump, compatibility with the plating conditions, and electrical conductivity. Nitride, borides, suicides, carbides are typical interstitial compounds suitable for use in satisfying these desirable attributes. In one preferred example, a nickel bulk material and silicon carbide particles are utilized. In one variation, the bump of metal-particle co-deposited material is coated by a thin cap layer of noble, non-oxidizing metal to prevent electrical erosion by arcing as contact is made and broken from the pad. Rhodium and ruthenium are suitable metals and can be electrodeposited over the composite bump structure.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which has a high strength proximal portion, a distal portion formed of superelastic alloy and a connector formed of superelastic alloy to provide torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal portion and the proximal end of the distal portion. The superelastic alloy elements are preferably cold worked and then heat treated at a temperature well above the austenite-to-martensite transformation temperature, while being subjected to longitudinal stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature yield stress to impart to the metal a straight "memory." The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of at least 70 ksi for solid members and at least 50 ksi for tubular members with a broad recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation.

Abstract: The manufacture of thin film magnetic disks in which a non-magnetic layer is deposited on the disk substrate to bind to the substrate and nucleates the electroless plating of a nickel alloy which supports the thin magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method and system for making a three dimensional product wherein the size and shape of a plurality of cross-sectional segments of the three dimensional object are determined which when assembled together in a particular sequence form the desired three dimensional shape. Thin layers of material in the shape of each of the cross-sectional segments are applied in the particular sequence in which they form the three dimensional object. The application of each of the layers is much like a lithographic printing process in that a resin may be applied by a roller in the shape of the cross-sectional segments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of casting silicon produced by the reaction between SiF.sub.4 and an alkaline earth metal into thin wafer-shaped articles suitable for solar cell fabrication.