Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a contact material for a vacuum interrupter, and method of making the contact material. In achieving precise control of the Si concentration of Cu/Cr contact materials, the exemplary contact material has a chromium content which is above 10 wt. % and that the material is doped with silicon below 0.2 wt. % (2000 ppm Si) and the remainder is copper Cu.

Abstract: A mixed powder of an Ni—Al alloy and alumina is produced by heating a first mixed powder, which is prepared by mixing an Ni—Al mixed powder as prepared by mixing an Al powder with Ni in such a manner that Al therein could fall within a range of from 25 atomic % to 60 atomic %, and an alumina powder in a range of from 40% by mass to 60% by mass, in vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature falling within a range of from 600° C. to 1300° C. for at least 1 hour, and then grinding the resulting product.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a method of forming graphene structures. Initially, a cluster of particles is received. The cluster of particles comprises a plurality of particles with each particle in the plurality of particles contacting one or more other particles in the plurality of particles. Subsequently, one or more layers are deposited on the cluster of particles with the one or more layers comprising graphene. The plurality of particles are then etched away without substantially etching the deposited one or more layers. Lastly, the remaining one or more layers are dried. The resultant graphene structures are particularly resistant to the negative effects of aggregation and compaction.

Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein relate to metal particles, methods of making, and methods of using such metal particles. In some embodiments, metal particles can be coated in silica and can be used as part of a power transmission system.

Abstract: A composition includes a chemical reaction product defining a first surface and a second surface, characterized in that the chemical reaction product includes a segregated phase domain structure including a plurality of domain structures, wherein at least one of the plurality of domain structures includes at least one domain that extends from a first surface of the chemical reaction product to a second surface of the chemical reaction product. The segregated phase domain structure includes a segregated phase domain array. The plurality of domain structures includes i) a copper rich. indium/gallium deficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 domain and ii) a copper deficient, indium/gallium rich Cu(In,Ga)Se2 domain.

Abstract: There is provided iron powder having a halogenated organic compound treating performance equivalent to or higher than that of a material for treating halogenated organic compounds, although an environmental load substance such as copper is not contained, and a method of producing iron powder for treating halogenated organic compounds including: immersing the iron powder in one or more kinds of solvents selected from water and organic solvents which have lower vapor pressure than water and contain oxygen; performing solid-liquid separation for the iron powder immersed in the solvent, to thereby obtain the iron powder wet by this solvent; and applying drying treatment to the iron powder wet in the solvent, while keeping a temperature at less than 40° C.

Abstract: A method of making a high density organic polymeric particle, suitable for use in milling, includes the steps of: providing an oil phase including a high density metal, a metal modifying agent, a cross-linkable organic monomer mixture, and an oil soluble polymerization initiator; admixing the oil phase under high shear conditions in an aqueous medium to produce droplets of the oil phase in the aqueous medium; and adding a hydrocolloid to the aqueous medium containing the droplets of the oil phase. The method further includes polymerizing the droplets of the oil phase to produce high density organic polymeric particles comprising a cross-linked polymer host matrix and a high density metal wherein the high density metal is within the interior of the cross-linked polymer host matrix.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus designed to impregnate a sorbent. In some embodiments apparatus of the disclosure may comprise a mixing vessel having either a conical mixing chamber or an cylindrical mixing chamber designed to increase the contact surface area and/or contact/residence time of a sorbent and impregnant to produce compositions comprising an impregnated sorbent. Apparatus of the disclosure may also comprise one or more atomizers operable to produce atomized droplets of impregnant. The disclosure also provides methods for impregnation of a milled sorbent or an un-milled sorbent. Methods of the disclosure provide several technical advantages and may be cost effective. Impregnant sorbent compositions produced by methods and/or apparatus of the disclosure may have higher concentrations of an impregnant, a more uniform distribution of an impregnant and may have a greater sorbent efficiency.

Abstract: A preparation method of a CIS-based or CIGS-based thin film for a light absorption layer of a solar cell, which uses a paste prepared by mixing precursors of Cu, In, Se, and optional Ga in a solvent, minimizes the raw material loss, does not produce a toxic gas during the process, and is suitable for producing a large scale film at a low production cost.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing high density compacted components that increase that lubricity of metallurgical powder compositions while reducing the overall organic content of the compacted component. Method of preparing high density compacted components having a high density include the steps of providing a metallurgical powder composition having particles at least partially coated with a metal phosphate layer, and compacting the metallurgical powder composition in the die at a pressure of at least about 5 tsi. The metallurgical powder composition comprises a base-metal powder, optional alloying powders, and a particulate internal lubricant. The metal phosphate at least partially coats the base-metal powder, the optional alloying powder, or both. The metal phosphate coating increases the lubricity of metallurgical powders without the need for large quantities of organic material, e.g., lubricants and binders.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for the production of composite particles utilizing a mechano chemical bonding process following by high energy ball milling on a powder mixture comprised of coating particles, first host particles, and second host particles. The composite particles formed have a grain size of less than one micron with grains generally characterized by a uniformly dispersed coating material and a mix of first material and second material intermetallics. The method disclosed is particularly useful for the fabrication of oxide dispersion strengthened coatings, for example using a powder mixture comprised of Y2O3, Cr, Ni, and Al. This particular powder mixture may be subjected to the MCB process for a period generally less than one hour following by high energy ball milling for a period as short as 2 hours. After application by cold spraying, the composite particles may be heat treated to generate an oxide-dispersion strengthened coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additives for use in lubricant compositions to processes for producing the additives, and to the use of the additives in lubricants and in systems that are lubricated. More specifically, the additive includes a capped particle comprising: (i) one or more inorganic core particles; and (ii) one or more multi-block copolymers attached to the inorganic particles. The multi-block copolymer includes at least one nonpolar polymer block interposed between two polar polymer blocks. One polar polymer block is attached to the core particle, and at least a portion of the another polar polymer block is not directly attached to the core particle. When used in a lubricant to lubricate a metallic surface of a workpiece, the capped particle preferably adheres to the metallic surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.

Abstract: There are provided a bio-chip for secondary ion mass spectrometry and a method of fabricating the same, the bio-chip, which is a bio-chip for analyzing a biochemical material using the secondary ion mass spectrometry, including: a substrate; and core-shell particles positioned above substrate, wherein the core-shell particles each include a metal nanoparticle as a core and a metal shell surrounding the metal nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method for brazing a component in a power generation system, the brazed power generation system component, and braze are provided to improve repairing power generation systems. The method includes providing the component having a feature in a surface of the component and coating a particulate material with a filler material to obtain a coated particulate material. The method includes preparing the feature to obtain a treatment area and filling the treatment area in the surface of the component with the coated particulate material. The method includes heating the treatment area and surrounding component to a brazing temperature and applying oxidation protection to the treatment area. After the brazing temperature is obtained, the method includes brazing the treatment area and the screen and cooling the component to obtain a brazed joint.

Abstract: A composite, soft-magnetic powder comprising soft-magnetic, iron-based core particles having an average particle size of 2-100 ?m, and boron nitride-based coating layers each covering at least part of each soft-magnetic, iron-based core particle, said coating layers being polycrystalline layers comprising fine boron nitride crystal grains having different crystal orientations and an average crystal grain size of 3-15 nm, the average thickness of said polycrystalline layers being 6.6% or less of the average particle size of said soft-magnetic, iron-based core particles, is produced by (1) mixing iron nitride powder having an average particle size of 2-100 ?m with boron powder having an average particle size of 0.1-10 ?m, (2) heat-treating the resultant mixed powder at a temperature of 600-850° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, and (3) removing non-magnetic components.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a soft magnetic material has a step of preparing a metal magnetic particle containing iron as the main component, and a step of forming an insulating film surrounding the surface of the metal magnetic particle. The step of forming the insulating film includes a step of mixing and stirring the metal magnetic particle, aluminum alkoxide, silicon alkoxide, and phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Provided are magnetic core-ceramic shell (e.g., magnetite (Fe3O4) core-calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) shell) nanocrystals with high crystallization degree, uniform size, and high chemical stability and a method for synthesizing the same. A core-shell structure is synthesized in a process of forming magnetite seeds corresponding to cores by the reduction of magnetite precursors and then, sequentially, coating the magnetite with Ca3(PO4)2 by the reduction of Ca3(PO4)2 precursors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be made using ethanol as the solvent and the reductant to fabricate noble-metal nanoparticles with a narrow particle size distributions, and to coat a thin metal shell on other metal cores. With or without carbon supports, particle size is controlled by fine-tuning the reduction power of ethanol, by adjusting the temperature, and by adding an alkaline solution during syntheses. The thickness of the added or coated metal shell can be varied easily from sub-monolayer to multiple layers in a seed-mediated growth process. The entire synthesis of designed core-shell catalysts can be completed using metal salts as the precursors with more than 98% yield; and, substantially no cleaning processes are necessary apart from simple rinsing. Accordingly, this method is considered to be a “green” chemistry method.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing branched gold nanoparticles is described, starting from an aqueous solution of gold nanoparticle spherical seeds, which is subjected to a growth treatment with an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylamine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as an agent that directs the shape of the nanostructure, and by subsequent addition of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4). The structural features and the properties of the branched gold nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A processed DRI material having an average surface roughness (Ra) of less than 1.5 ?m is disclosed. A method and system for making processed DRI are also disclosed. One embodiment of the method and system may include assembling a rotatable chamber having an internal screen capable of supporting DRI during tumbling, with at least one opening in the chamber to permit fines to exit the chamber during tumbling, and delivering DRI into the chamber to tumble the DRI on the screen to remove fines from the DRI. Another embodiment of the method and system may include assembling a rotatable chamber having a feed end and an exit end, and having a screen therein capable of supporting DRI as the DRI moves through the chamber, and delivering DRI to the chamber and rotating the chamber to tumble the DRI while removing fines.

Abstract: A process for producing a mixed powder for powder metallurgy in which graphite segregation can be prevented and which has satisfactory flowability and brings about satisfactory lubricating properties, the process comprising: selecting an organic binder which, when the solubility of an organic lubricant in a given organic solvent at a given temperature is taken as 1, has a solubility in the same solvent at the same temperature of 2 or higher; mixing the organic lubricant and the organic binder with the given organic solvent together with an iron powder to prepare an iron-powder slurry in which the organic lubricant and the organic binder have been dissolved in the organic solvent; and removing the organic solvent from the iron-powder slurry by vaporization to precipitate the organic lubricant and the organic binder in this order.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal associated with a polydentate ligand. The polydentate ligand stabilizes the nanocrystal.

Abstract: A method for producing coated, fine metal particles each having a Ti oxide coating and a silicon oxide coating formed in this order on a metal core particle by mixing powder comprising TiC and TiN with oxide powder of a metal M meeting the relation of ?GM-O>?GTiO2, wherein ?GM-O represents the standard free energy of forming an oxide of the metal M; heat-treating the resultant mixed powder in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to reduce the oxide of the metal M with the powder comprising TiC and TiN, while coating the resultant metal M particles with Ti oxide; coating the Ti-oxide-coated surface with silicon oxide; and classifying the resultant particles such that they have a median diameter d50 of 0.4-0.7 ?m, and a variation coefficient (=standard deviation/average particle size) of 35% or less, which indicates a particle size distribution range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for functionalizing nanoparticles that enables them to undergo reversible aggregation/deaggregation. The aggregation properties of this new system are reversible and readily monitored by optical absorbance measurements with the possibility of electrical and/or magnetic monitoring as well. The outer portion of the coating material is functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) entities that facilitate biocompatibility and stability both in solution and in the solid state. Also provided are nanoparticles functionalized with rationally designed free radical initiators to effect tailored polymer growth from the surface. These systems may be used for a broad variety of applications, including biosensing with real-time feedback.

Abstract: Air-stable coated particles, which include an oxidizable core having a coating substantially encompassing the oxidizable core, where the coating comprises a first organic ligand and/or a second organic ligand, are disclosed and described. The coated particles can also be substantially free of an oxide layer, especially oxide layers around the oxidizable core. As such, the coating of organic ligand(s) acts as a protective or passivating coating. The air-stable coated particles can be formed via a particle size-reduction process. An oxidizable particulate can be crushed and contacted with a first organic ligand and subsequently with a second organic ligand. The process conditions are maintained such that an oxide layer is preempted from forming on the oxidizable core. Such materials can be effective as high energy density additives for various fuels, pyrotechnic, ionic liquids, and rocket propellant applications and for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a silver fine powder covered with an organic substance, which comprises a step of mixing (i) a dispersion of silver particles covered with a protective material X1 that comprises an organic compound having an unsaturated bond and having a molecular weight of from 150 to 1000 in a liquid organic medium A, (ii) a protective material X2 that comprises an organic compound of which the number of the carbon atoms constituting the carbon skeleton is smaller than that of the organic compound to constitute the protective material X1, and (iii) a liquid organic medium B of which the ability to dissolve the protective material X1 therein is higher than that of the liquid organic medium A, thereby promoting the dissolution of the protective material X1 in the liquid organic medium B and the adhesion of the protective material X2 to the surface of the silver particles.

Abstract: To provide metal microparticles, with less content of alkali metal, halogen, sulfur, and phosphorus as impurities, wherein surfaces thereof are coated with a protective agent, and the protective agent is selected from at least one type of an amine compound and a calboxylic acid compound, and a total content of the alkali metal, halogen, sulfur, and phosphorus contained in the metal microparticles is less than 0.1 mass % relative to a mass of the metal microparticles.

Abstract: Mixed matrix membranes that are capable of separation and purification of gas mixtures are disclosed. These membranes comprise polymers that include dispersed therein nanomolecular sieve particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nanomolecular sieve particles contain attached functional groups to prevent their agglomeration.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are core-shell type nanoparticles comprising nanoparticle cores made of a metal or semiconductor, and shells made of crystalline metal oxide formed on the surfaces of the nanoparticle cores, as well as a preparation method thereof. According to the disclosed invention, the core-shell nanoparticles, consisting of metallic or semiconductor cores and crystalline metal oxide shells, can be prepared by epitaxially growing metal oxide on the surfaces of the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticle cores. By virtue of the crystalline metal oxide shells, the core nanoparticle made of metal or semiconductor can ensure excellent chemical and mechanical stability, and the core-shell nanoparticles can show new properties resulting from the interaction between the metal cores and the metal oxide crystal shells.

Abstract: Provided are quantum dots having a gradual composition gradient shell structure which have an improved luminous efficiency and optical stability, and a method of manufacturing the quantum dots in a short amount of time at low cost. In the method, the quantum dots can be manufactured in a short amount of time at low cost using a reactivity difference between semiconductor precursors, unlike in uneconomical and inefficient conventional methods where shells are formed after forming cores and performing cleaning and redispersion processes. Also, formation of the cores is followed by formation of shells having a composition gradient.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a silver particle powder excellent in the dispersibility in a liquid organic medium having a low polarity, which comprises reducing a silver compound in an alcohol having a boiling point of from 80° C. to 200° C. or in a polyol having a boiling point of from 150 to 300° C., at a temperature of from 80° C. to 200° C. under reflux while maintaining the stream having a Reynolds number of not more than 3.70×104. The stream having a Reynolds number of not more than 3.70×104 can be maintained by stirring with a stirring power of not more than 5.68×108 W. According to the method, a silver particle powder having good low-temperature sinterability and good dispersibility and suitable for use for microwiring formation can be obtained at a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of silver nanoparticles and the compositions of silver ink containing the same. The present invention can prepare the silver nanoparticles with various shapes through a simple preparation process, improve the selectivity of the size of the silver nanoparticles, fire the silver nanoparticles even at a low temperature of 150° C. or less during a short time, provide the ink compositions capable of forming the coating or the fine pattern showing the high conductivity, and provide the ink compositions capable of being applied to the reflective film material, the electromagnetic wave shield, and the antimicrobial agent, etc.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing one or more oxygen scavenging particles, wherein the particle(s) comprises an oxidizable metal particle, such as elemental iron; an acidifying electrolyte such as sodium or potassium bisulfate and optionally a water hydrolysable Lewis acid, such as aluminum chloride. The method comprises the step of coating the oxidizable particle with a first compound and then reacting the first compound with a second compound to form a third compound, wherein the third compound promotes the reaction of the oxidizable particle with oxygen.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing high density compacted components that increase that lubricity of metallurgical powder compositions while reducing the overall organic content of the compacted component. Method of preparing high density compacted components having a high density include the steps of providing a metallurgical powder composition having particles at least partially coated with a metal phosphate layer, and compacting the metallurgical powder composition in the die at a pressure of at least about 5 tsi. The metallurgical powder composition comprises a base-metal powder, optional alloying powders, and a particulate internal lubricant. The metal phosphate at least partially coats the base-metal powder, the optional alloying powder, or both. The metal phosphate coating increases the lubricity of metallurgical powders without the need for large quantities of organic material, e.g., lubricants and binders.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal composite material includes applying a mechanical impact force to a carbon material and a metal powder at such an intensity as capable of pulverizing the carbon material, thereby adhering the carbon material to a surface of the metal powder.

Abstract: A core-shell particulate is provided. The core-shell particulate includes a metal core particulate including a noble metal or a refractory metal; and a ceramic shell including a transition metal composition. The transition metal composition includes a material including hafnium, or zirconium, or yttrium, or tantalum, or tungsten, or molybdenum, or niobium, or any combinations thereof. The ceramic shell substantially uniformly encloses the metal core particulate. A method of making a core-shell particulate is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a metal core particulate; and disposing a ceramic shell including a transition metal composition onto the core particulate. An article including a plurality of core-shell particulates is also provided.

Abstract: Expansive cements for use in cementing subterranean wells contain an encapsulated gas-generating substance. The gas-generating substance comprises one or more materials that release hydrogen, nitrogen or both. The gas-generating substance is encapsulated by a coating comprising a polymer. The coating prevents premature gas release at the surface during slurry mixing, and promotes gas release at a desired location in the subterranean well. The released gas may also control the internal pore pressure of the cement slurry, thereby inhibiting the invasion of formation fluids into the borehole.

Abstract: A packaged reactive material includes a reactive material that is configured to increase in size when exposed to a predetermined gas, and an inert coating material surrounding a surface of the reactive material. The inert coating material is configured to allow the predetermined gas to diffuse through to the reactive material and has an elongation that will not accommodate expansion of the reactive material at full saturation of the predetermined gas.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel morphology shifting micelles and amphiphilic coated metal nanofibers. Methods of using and making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: CIGS absorber layers fabricated using coated semiconducting nanoparticles and/or quantum dots are disclosed. Core nanoparticles and/or quantum dots containing one or more elements from group IB and/or IIIA and/or VIA may be coated with one or more layers containing elements group IB, IIIA or VIA. Using nanoparticles with a defined surface area, a layer thickness could be tuned to give the proper stoichiometric ratio, and/or crystal phase, and/or size, and/or shape. The coated nanoparticles could then be placed in a dispersant for use as an ink, paste, or paint. By appropriate coating of the core nanoparticles, the resulting coated nanoparticles can have the desired elements intermixed within the size scale of the nanoparticle, while the phase can be controlled by tuning the stochiometry, and the stoichiometry of the coated nanoparticle may be tuned by controlling the thickness of the coating(s).

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: A method for surface modification of non-dispersible metal nanoparticles comprises mixing metal nanoparticles having an amorphous carbon layer on the surface with an alcohol or thiol solvent, mixing a capping molecule having a carboxylic head group in the mixed solution, and separating the metal nanoparticles from the mixed solution and the metal nanoparticles for inkjet printing thus modified.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for nucleic acid-mediated control of a nanoparticle shape are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more nucleic acid oligomers are adsorbed to a metal nanoseed, and additional metal is deposited onto the nanoseed to produce a shaped nanoparticle. In certain embodiments, the nanoseed is gold and the oligomers are 5-100 nucleotides in length. The nanoparticle shape is determined at least in part by the nucleic acid sequence of the oligomer(s). Shaped nanoparticles produced by embodiments of the method include nanoflowers, nanospheres, nanostars, and nanoplates. Embodiments for using the shaped nanoparticles also are disclosed.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide-polymer composites having a substrate comprising a metal oxide component, an aluminum oxide component, and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst component coupled to the substrate. The compositions can be used as thin films in an insulator device. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of preserving wood comprising the steps of providing an aqueous wood preservative slurry comprising a plurality of injectable particulates comprising at least 20% by weight of a sparingly soluble copper salt, wherein the first particulates have a d96 of about 1 micron or less, a d99 of about 1.5 microns or less, and a d50 of greater than 0.02 micron, and injecting the aqueous wood preservative slurry into wood.