Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material includes metallic nanostrands distributed throughout a matrix constructed of a polymer, ceramic, or elastomer. The nanostrands may have an average diameter under four microns and an average aspect ratio over ten-to-one. Larger fibers may also be included to enhance electrical conductivity or other properties. The nanostrands and/or fibers may be magnetically oriented to enhance electrical conductivity along one direction. A pressure sensor may be formed by utilizing an elastomer for the matrix. Electrical conductivity through the composite material varies in proportion to deflection of the elastomer. A composite material may be applied to a surface as an electrically conductive paint. Composite materials may be made by cutting a blank of the nanostrands to the desired shape, inserting the matrix, and curing the matrix. Alternatively, a suspension agent may first be used to dispose powdered nanostrands in the desired shape.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material includes metallic nanostrands distributed throughout a matrix constructed of a polymer, ceramic, or elastomer. The nanostrands may have an average diameter under four microns and an average aspect ratio over ten-to-one. Larger fibers may also be included to enhance electrical conductivity or other properties. The nanostrands and/or fibers may be magnetically oriented to enhance electrical conductivity along one direction. A pressure sensor may be formed by utilizing an elastomer for the matrix. Electrical conductivity through the composite material varies in proportion to deflection of the elastomer. A composite material may be applied to a surface as an electrically conductive paint. Composite materials may be made by cutting a blank of the nanostrands to the desired shape, inserting the matrix, and curing the matrix. Alternatively, a suspension agent may first be used to dispose powdered nanostrands in the desired shape.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material includes metallic nanostrands distributed throughout a matrix constructed of a polymer, ceramic, or elastomer. The nanostrands may have an average diameter under four microns and an average aspect ratio over ten-to-one. Larger fibers may also be included to enhance electrical conductivity or other properties. The nanostrands and/or fibers may be magnetically oriented to enhance electrical conductivity along one direction. A pressure sensor may be formed by utilizing an elastomer for the matrix. Electrical conductivity through the composite material varies in proportion to deflection of the elastomer. A composite material may be applied to a surface as an electrically conductive paint. Composite materials may be made by cutting a blank of the nanostrands to the desired shape, inserting the matrix, and curing the matrix. Alternatively, a suspension agent may first be used to dispose powdered nanostrands in the desired shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of continuously producing metal fibers, which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of nucleation sites of metal by injecting a stream of gaseous metal carbonyl into a reaction chamber through a first port means while injecting a stream of an inert gas, at a temperature of at least 425.degree. F., into said reaction chamber through a second port means, said first and second port means being positioned to promote mixing of said metal carbonyl and said inert gas as they enter said reaction chamber whereby partial pyrolysis of the metal carbonyl is effected to provide nucleation sites of the metal; subjecting said metal at said nucleation sites to a source of radiant heat while still is in said reaction chamber, to effect further metal carbonyl pyrolysis whereby fibers of the metal are caused to grow so as to have a diameter of at least 0.

Abstract: Adherent metal coatings of metals that cannot be adherently applied directly onto a desired substrate metal by chemical vapor deposition at a temperature below about 300.degree. C. are obtained by applying an adherent metal undercoating to the surface of the metal substrate which weakly or not at all chemisorbs carbon monoxide, then applying the desired outercoat metal to the undercoated substrate by chemical vapor deposition, using a heat decomposable metal carbonyl as the source of the desired outer coating metal. The undercoating metal may be applied by conventional plating processes such as electroplating or electroless plating. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is iron or steel or their alloys, the undercoating metal is copper, and the outer coating metal is a ferrous metal, i.e., nickel, iron, or cobalt.

Abstract: Adherent metal coatings of metals that cannot be adherently applied directly onto a desired substrate metal by chemical vapor deposition at a temperature below about 300.degree. C. are obtained by applying an adherent metal undercoating to the surface of the metal substrate which weakly or not at all chemisorbs carbon monoxide, then applying the desired outercoat metal to the undercoat substrate by chemical vapor deposition, using a heat decomposable metal carbonyl as the source of the desired outer coating metal. The undercoating metal may be applied by conventional plating processes such as electroplating or electroless plating. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is iron or steel or their alloys, the undercoating metal is copper, and the outer coating metal is a ferrous metal, i.e., nickel, iron, or cobalt.

Abstract: The invention is a procedure and apparatus for coating the individual particles of solid bulk materials, which may be particulate products or multiple small objects, by chemical vapor deposition. The particles or small articles are vigorously agitated and moved along the length of a vibrating, bottom heated, enclosed trough with lesser heated side walls, while the uppermost layer of the moving materials is exposed to the vapor of a volatile heat-decomposable or heat-reactable coating compound.

Abstract: A highly active metal catalyst is prepared by producing a coating of an alloy on a supporting surface, the alloy containing a catalytic metal such as nickel or platinum and a second metal such as aluminum or iron which is capable of forming a volatile compound, reacting the coating with a material forming a volatile compound with the second metal, and volatilizing the compound, which leaves the supporting surface with a coating of the catalytic metal in a highly active condition.