Abstract: Lithium manganese oxide particles have been produced with an average diameter less than about 250 nm. The particles have a high degree of uniformity. The particles are formed by the heat treatment of nanoparticles of manganese oxide. The lithium manganese oxide particles are useful as active materials in the positive electrodes of lithium based batteries. Improved batteries result from the use of the uniform nanoscale lithium manganese oxide particles.

Abstract: Batteries based on nanoparticles are demonstrated to achieve high energy densities. Vanadium oxide nanoparticles can have several different stoichiometries and corresponding crystal lattices. The nanoparticles preferably have average diameters less than about 150 nm. Cathodes produced using the vanadium oxide nanoparticles and a binder can be used to construct lithium batteries or lithium ion batteries. The nanoparticles may have energy densities greater than about 900 Wh/kg.

Abstract: Vanadium oxide nanoparticles were produced with vanadium in a variety of oxidation states and with different crystalline lattice structures. These particles preferably have an average diameter of 150 nm or less with a narrow distribution of diameters. The particles manifest unique properties that result from the small particle size and correspondingly large surface area. A variety of the vanadium oxide nanoparticles can be produced by a versatile laser pyrolysis arrangement. These nanoparticles can be further processed to change the properties of the particles without destroying the nanoscale size of the particles.

Abstract: Nanoscale UV absorbing particles are described that have high UV absorption cross sections while being effectively transparent to visible light. These particles can be used to shield individuals from harmful ultraviolet radiation. These particles can also be used in industrial processing especially to produce solid state electronic devices by creating edges of photoresist material with a high aspect ratio. The UV absorbing particles can also be used as photocatalysts that become strong oxidizing agents upon exposure to UV light. Laser pyrolysis provides an efficient method for the production of suitable particles.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shielding material is formed from a shielding composition made with magnetic particles and a binder, where the magnetic particles have an average diameter less than about 1000 nm and are substantially crystalline. The magnetic particles can be formed from Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, Fe.sub.3 C, or Fe.sub.7 C.sub.3. The shielding composition can be formed into a layer or into composite particles. The binder can be a metal or an electrically conducting polymer. A conducting layer can be placed adjacent to the shielding composition. The shielding material can be used to protect sensitive electronic devices. Methods are described for forming iron oxide particles by laser pyrolysis.

Abstract: A method for the production of elemental carbon fibers and carbon particles uses highly uniform catalyst particles, preferably made by laser pyrolysis. Preferred catalyst particles include elemental iron, iron carbides or iron sulfides, generally with an average particle diameter from about 1000 nm to about 5 nm. Also, preferred catalyst particles have a narrow distribution in particle diameters as well as a cut off in particle size that the diameter distribution does not have a tail toward large diameters.

Abstract: The stoichiometry and/or crystal structure of vanadium oxide particles are altered by heating initial particles of vanadium oxide under mild conditions. The temperature is generally at least about 300.degree. C. less than the melting point of both the initial vanadium oxide particle and the product vanadium oxide particles. Preferred initial particles are vanadium oxide nanoparticles. The heating can be performed under an oxidizing atmosphere or an inert atmosphere, depending on the particular initial particles and the desired product particles.

Abstract: An apparatus efficiently produces of particles from gas phase chemical reactions induced by a radiation beam. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber and an elongated reactant inlet, where the reaction chamber is configured to conform generally to the elongated shape of the reactant inlet. Shielding gas may be introduced to form a blanket of inert gas on both sides of the reactant stream. A feed back loop may be used to maintain the desired pressure within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Batteries based on nanoparticles are demonstrated that achieve high energy densities. Vanadium oxide nanoparticles can have several different stoichiometries and corresponding crystal lattices. The nanoparticles preferably have average diameters less than about 500 nm and more preferably less than about 150 nm. Cathodes produced using the vanadium oxide nanoparticles and a binder can be used to construct lithium batteries or lithium ion batteries. The nanoparticles may have energy densities greater than about 900 Wh/kg.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shielding material is formed from a shielding composition made with magnetic particles and a binder, where the magnetic particles have an average diameter less than about 1000 nm and are substantially crystalline. The magnetic particles can be formed from Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, Fe.sub.3 C, or Fe.sub.7 C.sub.3. The shielding composition can be formed into a layer or into composite particles. The binder can be a metal or an electrically conducting polymer. A conducting layer can be placed adjacent to the shielding composition. The shielding material can be used to protect sensitive electronic devices. Methods are described for forming iron oxide particles by laser pyrolysis.