Abstract: Provided is an aerosol method, and accompanying apparatus, for preparing powdered products of a variety of materials involving the use of an ultrasonic aerosol generator (106) including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (120) underlying and ultrasonically energizing a reservoir of liquid feed (102) which forms droplets of the aerosol. Carrier gas (104) is delivered to different portions of the reservoir by a plurality of gas delivery ports (136) delivering gas from a gas delivery system. The aerosol is pyrolyzed to form particles, which are then cooled and collected. The invention also provides powders made by the method and devices made using the powders.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are formed by combining a metal compound with a solution that comprises a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are precipitated by adding a nanoparticle-precipitating liquid in a sufficient amount to precipitate at least a substantial portion of the nanoparticles and of a protic solvent in a sufficient amount to improve the separation of the nanoparticles from the liquid phase.

Abstract: Precursor compositions for the fabrication of electronic features such as resistors and capacitors. The precursor compositions are formulated to have a low conversion temperature, such as not greater than about 350° C., thereby enabling the fabrication of such electronic features on a variety of substrates, including organic substrates such as polymer substrates.

Abstract: Provided is an aerosol method, and accompanying apparatus, for preparing powdered products of a variety of materials involving the use of an ultrasonic aerosol generator (106) including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (120) underlying and ultrasonically energizing a reservoir of liquid feed (102) which forms droplets of the aerosol. Carrier gas (104) is delivered to different portions of the reservoir by a plurality of gas delivery ports (136) delivering gas from a gas delivery system. The aerosol is pyrolyzed to form particles, which are then cooled and collected. The invention also provides powders made by the method and devices made using the powders.

Abstract: Photoluminescent phosphor powders and a method for making phosphor powders. The phosphor powders have a small particle size, narrow particle size distribution and are substantially spherical. The method of the invention advantageously permits the economic production of such powders. The invention also relates to improved devices, such as display devices and lighting elements, incorporating the phosphor powders.

Abstract: Precursor compositions for the deposition of electronic features such as resistors and dielectric components and methods for the deposition of the precursor compositions. The precursor compositions have a low viscosity, such as not greater than about 1000 centipoise and can be deposited using a direct-write tool. The precursors also have a low conversion temperature, enabling the formation of electronic features on a wide variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a catalytic layer including substantially spherical metal-carbon catalyst particles having a weight average particle size of at least about 0.1 micron and not greater than about 20 micron, wherein the catalyst particles comprise a metal phase homogeneously dispersed on a carbon support phase.

Abstract: Electrocatalyst powders and methods for producing electrocatalyst powders, such as carbon composite electrocatalyst powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of precursors by heating the aerosol to a relatively low temperature, such as not greater than about 400° C.

Abstract: A liquid suspension of phosphor particles and method for depositing the liquid suspension. The suspension advantageously has a low viscosity with a high solids-loading of phosphor particles. The apparent density of the phosphor particles is well-controlled to enable the particles to be dispersed in the liquid vehicle. The suspension is useful in direct-write tools such as ink-jet devices.

Abstract: Nickel powder batches and methods for producing nickel powder batches. The powder batches include particles having a small particle size, narrow size distribution and a spherical morphology. The present invention is also directed to devices incorporating the nickel metal powders.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) depositing a composition onto at least a portion of a substrate, wherein the composition comprises metal-containing particles having a primary particle size of from about 10 nanometers to less than 500 nanometers and including a continuous or non-continuous coating of a ceramic material; and (b) heating the composition such that the precursor composition forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature. The metal-containing particles are preferably produced by flame spraying.

Abstract: Nickel powder batches including coated nickel-containing particles and methods for producing the same. The coated nickel-containing particles having have a small particle size, narrow size distribution and a spherical morphology. The present invention is also directed to devices incorporating the coated nickel-containing particles.

Abstract: Electrocatalyst powders and methods for producing electrocatalyst powders, such as carbon composite electrocatalyst powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of precursors by heating the aerosol to a relatively low temperature, such as not greater than about 400° C.

Abstract: A precursor composition for the deposition and formation of an electrical feature such as a conductive feature. The precursor composition advantageously has a low viscosity enabling deposition using direct-write tools. The precursor composition also has a low conversion temperature, enabling the deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on low temperature substrates. A particularly preferred precursor composition includes silver metal for the formation of highly conductive silver features.

Abstract: Provided are silver-containing powders and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the silver-containing particles of high quality, of a small size and narrow size distribution. An aerosol is generated from liquid feed and sent to a furnace, where liquid in droplets in the aerosol is vaporized to permit formation of the desired particles, which are then collected in a particle collector. The aerosol generation involves preparation of a high quality aerosol, with a narrow droplet size distribution, with close control over droplet size and with a high droplet loading suitable for commercial applications.

Abstract: Copper metal powders, methods for producing copper metal powders and products incorporating the powders. The copper metal powders have a small particle size, narrow size distribution and a spherical morphology. The method includes forming the metal particles in a continuous manner.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing phosphor powders, methods for making phosphor powders and devices incorporating same. The powders have a small particle size, narrow particle size distribution and are substantially spherical. The method of the invention permits the continuous production of such powders. The invention also relates to products such as display devices incorporating such phosphor powders.

Abstract: In a method of producing an electrode comprising a layer of an electrocatalytic material on a substrate, at least one liquid medium containing a precursor to the electrocatalytic material is atomized to produce droplets containing the precursor and the droplets are entrained in a stream of carrier gas moving in a first direction. The droplets entrained in the carrier gas stream are then heated to remove the liquid medium and convert the precursor to particles of the electrocatalytic material. The electrocatalytic material particles entrained in said carrier gas stream are then brought into contact with the substrate, whereby the electrocatalytic particles are separated from the carrier gas and collected on the substrate. By imparting relative movement between the substrate and the carrier gas stream in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction a continuous layer of the electrocatalytic material can be progressively deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is to printed resistors and processes for forming same. The resistors comprise a conductive phase, preferably comprising conductive nanoparticles, and a resistive phase. In the processes of the invention, a resistor may be formed from a single ink or a plurality of inks. In the single ink embodiment, an ink is deposited which comprises a conductive phase precursor, a resistive phase precursor and a vehicle. The vehicle in removed and the conductive and resistive phase precursors are converted to a conductive phase and a resistive phase, respectively. In the multiple ink embodiment, a first ink comprising the conductive phase precursor and a first vehicle and a second ink comprising the resistive phase precursor and a second vehicle are deposited on the substrate. The vehicles are removed and the conductive and resistive phase precursors are converted to a conductive phase and a resistive phase, respectively.

Abstract: Electrocatalyst powders and energy devices fabricated using electrocatalyst powders and methods for making energy devices. The energy devices, such as fuel cells, have improved performance over a range of operating conditions.