Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for producing nano-scale particles using the interaction between a laser beam and a liquid precursor solution. There are two embodiments. The first embodiment includes the use of a solid substrate during the laser-liquid interaction. In this embodiment the laser beam is directed at the solid substrate which is immersed in the liquid precursor solution and rotating. The second embodiment includes the use of a plasma during the laser-liquid interaction. In the second embodiment, a mixture of a liquid precursor and a carrier gas is injected into a laser beam. Injection of the mixture can be performed either perpendicular or parallel to the laser beam. The apparatus for injecting the liquid precursor and carrier gas into the laser beam includes a plasma nozzle designed to allow the laser beam to enter the plasma nozzle so that the laser beam may irradiate what is flowing through the plasma nozzle to create a plasma flow.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for producing nano-scale particles using the interaction between a laser beam and a liquid precursor solution. There are two embodiments. The first embodiment includes the use of a solid substrate during the laser-liquid interaction. In this embodiment the laser beam is directed at the solid substrate which is immersed in the liquid precursor solution and rotating. The second embodiment includes the use of a plasma during the laser-liquid interaction. In the second embodiment, a mixture of a liquid precursor and a carrier gas is injected into a laser beam. Injection of the mixture can be performed either perpendicular or parallel to the laser beam. The apparatus for injecting the liquid precursor and carrier gas into the laser beam includes a plasma nozzle designed to allow the laser beam to enter the plasma nozzle so that the laser beam may irradiate what is flowing through the plasma nozzle to create a plasma flow.

Abstract: An article having a slip-resistant surface and method of producing the same includes metallurgically bonding raised bead-like configurations of a compatible material at select locations on the article surface. The method includes injecting, substantially simultaneously with projecting a high power radiant energy beam, powder particles into a portion of the beam lying a distance away from the point of impingement on the surface portion of the article. The particles interact with the beam for a time period sufficient to cause at least partial melting of a substantial number of particles which are then transported to a selected point on the surface portion. The partially melted particles, along with completely and/or any substantially unmelted particles, are allowed to bond with the surface material thereby forming a raised configuration thereon. The process is repeated for forming another raised configuration at another selected location on the surface portion for thereby forming a slip-resistant article.

Abstract: An article having a slip-resistant surface and method of producing the same includes metallurgically bonding raised bead-like configurations of a compatible material at select locations on the article surface. The method includes injecting, substantially simultaneously with projecting a high power radiant energy beam, powder particles into a portion of the beam lying a distance away from the point of impingement on the surface portion of the article. The particles interact with the beam for a time period sufficient to cause at least partial melting of a substantial number of particles which are then transported to a selected point on the surface portion. The partially melted particles, along with completely and/or any substantially unmelted particles, are allowed to bond with the surface material thereby forming a raised configuration thereon. The process is repeated for forming another raised configuration at another selected location on the surface portion for thereby forming a slip-resistant article.

Abstract: A composite brush to shunt attachment wherein a volatile component of a composite but mostly metallic brush, used for current collection purposes, does not upon welding or brazing, adversely affect the formation of the interfacial bond with a conductive shunt which carries the current from the zone of the brush. The brush to shunt attachment for a brush material of copper-graphite composite and a shunt of copper, or substituting silver for copper as an alternative, is made through a hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The HIP process includes applying high pressure and temperature simultaneously at the brush to shunt interface, after it has been isolated or canned in a metal casing in which the air adjacent to the interface has been evacuated and the interfacial area has been sealed before the application of pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Virgin metal and metal alloy components are welded with and without filler material using a laser without cleaning the surfaces to be joined of mill scale and/or surface oxides, paints grease and other forms of contamination, and without edge preparation. The uncleaned, unprepared surfaces are placed in contact with each other, and a 100% through the thickness laser keyhole weld without filler metal is made in one pass, full penetration is achieved by two laser keyhole welds without filler metal (one made from each side), or resistively heated filler wire is fed into the metal pool of a laser conduction weld in one or more passes along each side of the confronting surfaces to be joined. Quality welds are made despite gaps of varying size up to about 0.125 inches between the parts to be joined.