Abstract: A process for electrolessly plating particulate matter is disclosed wherein the particulate and the electroless plating solution, without a reducing agent component, are combined with agitation in a plating vessel. If necessary, activator species are added directly to the plating solution. The reducing agent component is then added to the plating solution to initiate plating. Reliable plating upon the particulate, without instability of the plating solution, is achieved.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) anode includes the steps of: forming a Ni coating solution for coating a surface of alumina powder by mixing nickel acetate and ethanol in a predetermined ratio, adding distilled water to the mixture in a predetermined ratio and refluxing the resultant; coating a pre-treated surface of alumina powder with the Ni coating solution; mixing a pure Ni powder and Ni-coated alumina powder obtained in the Ni coating step, and then forming a green sheet of an electrode from the mixture of pure Ni powder and Ni-coated alumina powder; and drying and sintering the electrode in a reducing atmosphere. Thus, various problems in manufacturing conventional anodes of Ni-metal alloy powder can be solved, and an anode for an MCFC having greatly enhanced creep resistance and electrode performance can be obtained.

Abstract: A color effect material is composed of a plurality of encapsulated substrate platelets in which each platelet is encapsulated with a first layer which acts as a reflector to light directed thereon, a visibly transparent second organic layer encapsulating the first layer in which the second layer provides an optically variable reflection of light impinging thereon and a third layer encapsulating the second layer and being selectively transparent to light directed thereon.

Abstract: Chain parts and other steel articles are provided with hard, wear-resistant carbide coatings by tumbling them in a heated retort with a particulate mix which includes a source of vanadium and/or niobium. The steel substrate comprises a steel having at least 0.2% carbon, preferably 0.7-1.2%. Where the chromium content of the steel is 4-12%, preferably 4-8%, the chemical deposition process includes drawing a small amount of chromium from the steel substrate into the vanadium or niobium carbide coating, where it is distributed substantially homogeneously, helping to provide adhesion strength to the coating.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a powder metal oxide precursor formed reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a metal oxide precursor reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a liquid soluble metal oxide precursor formed reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a precipated metal oxide precursor formed liquid slurry reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a metal oxide precursor reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions maintained by an RF induction plasma thermal source, to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Processes for coating three dimensional inorganic substrates, with shielded surfaces, with metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a metal oxide precursor reactant mixture at fast reaction and elevated temperature reaction conditions maintained by a flame combustion source to form a substrate containing metal oxide on at least a portion of the three dimensions and shielded surfaces of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications including catalysis, shielding, electrostatic dissipation and battery applications.

Abstract: Solder compositions, solder pastes and methods of manufacturing thereof having a solder material coated with a coating material by an immersion coating process or an electroless plating process. The solder composition and solder pastes are substantially lead-free and have melting temperatures approaching those of traditional tin-lead solders.

Abstract: Nickel composite particles having a layer of a nickel-containing spinel on at least a part of the surface of nickel particles, or nickel composite particles having an oxide layer of metals other than nickel on at least a part of the surface of nickel particles and a layer of a nickel-containing spinel at an interface between the nickel particles and the metal oxide layer. The nickel composite particles are produced by forming fine liquid droplets from a solution containing (a) at least one thermally decomposable nickel compound and (b) at least one thermally decomposable metal compound capable of forming a spinel together with nickel; and heating the liquid droplets at a temperature higher than the decomposition temperatures of the compound (a) and (b) to nickel particles and simultaneously deposit a nickel-containing spinel layer, or further a metal oxide layer on the spinel layer.

Abstract: The present invention describes the utilization of nanoscale bimetallic particles for the treatment of chlorinated contaminants in the environment, and more specifically, chlorinated contaminants in groundwater.

Abstract: The composite nickel fine powder includes surface-oxidized nickel fine particles and at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxides and complex oxides of at least one metal element having an atomic number ranging from 12 to 56 or 82 and belonging to Group 2 to 14 of the Periodic Table on the surface of the surface-oxidized nickel fine particles.

Abstract: A thermally conductive and electromagnetic interference and radio frequency reflective polymer composition and a method for creating the same is disclosed. Thermally conductive filler material is coated with a thermally conductive and electromagnetic interference and radio frequency reflective coating material and mixed with a base polymer matrix. The mixture is molded into the desired shape. The electromagnetic interference and radio frequency reflective coating material prevents the absorption and transfer of EMI and RF waves through the filler material thus resulting in an EMI and RF reflective composition.

Abstract: A process for mechanical plating zinc alloys onto metal substrates is disclosed. The process is particularly suited to plating zinc-aluminium or zinc-manganese alloys onto aluminium or magnesium substrates. The zinc alloy particles are immersion coated with tin prior to plating upon the metal substrate. Fluoride ions are preferably added to the plating media to increase plating efficiency, particularly when zinc aluminium alloys are being plated.

Abstract: Metal Nanoshells having partial coverage of a substrate or core particle and methods of making them are provided. A method of making a partial metal nanoshell preferably includes asymmetrically confining a substrate particle and selectively layering a metallic material over the substrate particle according to the asymmetry. Confining the substrate particle may include attaching it to a support defining an exposed portion and a contact portion. The method may include either chemically modifying the substrate particle. The solid angle of coverage of the partial metal nanoshell may be influenced by the nature of the chemical modification, such as alternatives of activating and passivating the exposed portion.

Abstract: A method of forming an oriented film. A target is provided and material from the target is ablated onto a substrate to form a film. The film is heated in a synthesis gel of the target material to orient the film.

Abstract: Multilayered porous materials are formed by coating a porous substrate with a metal and adsorbing an organic layer comprising a recognition moiety onto the metal film. The recognition moiety interacts with an analyte of interest allowing for its detection, purification, etc. Suitable recognition moieties can be selected from a range of species including, small molecules, polymers and biomolecules and the like. The novel porous materials of the invention can be utilized in an array of methods including, ion-exchange, ion-selective ion-exchange, assays, affinity dialysis, size exclusion dialysis and the like.

Abstract: A method of coating a complete metal layer onto a functionalized substrate particle to form a nanoshell is provided. The nanoshell preferably has a plasmon resonance with a maximum at a wavelength between about 400 nanometers and about 2 microns. The method includes providing a functionalized substrate particle and rapidity mixing a solution containing the substrate particle, ions of the metal, and a reducing agent with a base effective to coat the metal onto the functionalized substrate particle. The metal is preferably selected from among silver, nickel, and copper. The functionalized substrate particle preferably includes a silica surface and a precursor coating of tin. Alternatively, the functionalized substrate particle may include a silica surface, silane molecules bound to the core particle and gold colloids bound to the silane molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilized, pulverulent red phosphorus material composed of phosphorus particles whose particle size is not more than 2 mm, and whose surface has been covered with a thin layer of an oxidation stabilizer, wherein the oxidation stabilizer is silver, and also to the use of the same, and to a process for its preparation.

Abstract: A method of coating phosphor particles by chemical vapor deposition. The phosphors are coated by introducing an inert gas into a reaction vessel; charging phosphor particles into the reaction vessel; heating the reaction vessel to a reaction temperature; introducing a coating precursor which includes carbon into the reaction vessel for a time sufficient to saturate the phosphor particles with the precursor; continuing precursor flow into the reaction vessel; introducing an oxygen/ozone mixture into the reaction vessel, the oxygen/ozone mixture comprising less than 4.4 wt. % ozone; and maintaining the inert gas flow, oxygen/ozone mixture flow and further precursor supply for a time sufficient to coat the phosphor particles. The process produces phosphors having from 2200 to 6300 ppm of carbon on the coating and provides lamp efficacy's of greater than 6.1 lm/watt.

Abstract: A method for preparing coatings of thin films onto solid particle has been achieved by in-situ simultaneous nucleation and deposition of dissolved material out of supercritical fluid, resultant film formation on the solid particles suspended in the supercritical fluid, and subsequent thermal conditioning of the coating in the particles. The coating method involves an enclosed system that provides: 1) for suspension of the solid particles to be coated; 2) for dissolution of the coating material in the supercritical fluid solvent; 3) for temperature or pressure swing operations causing film deposition/coating of the suspended solid particles and; 4) additional chemical addition and/or thermal cycles providing for any additional reactions required (such as polymerization).

Abstract: A solder composition and a method 10 for producing such a solder composition is provide. The solder composition is substantially “lead-free”, has a relatively long shelf life, and has a desirable melting temperature. Particularly, the solder composition contains tin and zinc with substantially all of the exposed zinc constituents or phases being covered by a relatively thin layer of tin. The formed solder composition may be operatively used with a mildly activated “no-clean” rosin flux.

Abstract: This invention, in one aspect, relates to a method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating on an article and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating on an Nd—Fe—B magnet. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of applying a coherent coating on the surfaces of the particles of a powder. Such powder may be one which is susceptible to oxidative corrosion and/or one which is used to form a magnet (e.g Nd—Fe—B powder).

Abstract: A method of forming a metal colloid comprising a plurality of particles, each particle comprising a core of a metal, is described. The method comprises the steps of providing an organometallic precursor comprising the metal, combining the organometallic precursor and a solvent, which comprises water molecules, heating the combination of organometallic precursor and solvent so that the organometallic precursor decomposes to form a solution including the metal colloid and by-products, and removing the by-products to provide the metal colloid.

Abstract: A method of coating a complete metal layer onto a functionalized substrate particle to form a nanoshell is provided. The nanoshell preferably has a plasmon resonance with a maximum at a wavelenth between about 400 nanometers and about 2 microns. The method preferably includes functionalizing the substrate particle by reducing a precursor metal selected from among tin and titanium onto the subsrate particle. A metal, preferably selected from among gold, silver, nickel, iron, platinum, palladium, and copper, is then reduced onto the functionalized substrate particle. The method of reduction may include rapidly mixing a solution containing the substrate particle, ions of the metal, and a reducing agent. For some metals, a base may be rapidly mixed with the solution effective to coat the metal onto the functionalized substrate particle.

Abstract: A highly functional film-coated powder which is produced without using the method based on the hydrolysis of a metal alkoxide and without using a metal alkoxide, which is an expensive compound, or a highly flammable organic solvent and which therefore can be obtained at a low overall product cost without necessitating explosion-proof facilities in the production equipment and while attaining easy temperature and humidity regulation; and a process for producing the same. The film-coated powder comprises a base particle having films on the surface thereof, wherein at least one of the films is formed by reaction of a metal salt in an aqueous solvent having a constant pH. By the technique, the surface of base particle can be evenly coated with a solid phase film while inhibiting particle aggregation without precipitating an independent solid phase in the liquid phase.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for enhancing the color of minerals useful as gemstones. Invention methods are relatively inexpensive to carry out, avoid the use of hazardous materials, and require no specialized equipment.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanostructured materials in high phase purities using cavitation is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a metal containing solution with a precipitating agent and passing the mixture into a cavitation chamber. The chamber consists of a first element to produce cavitation bubbles, and a second element that creates a pressure zone sufficient to collapse the bubbles. The process is useful for the preparation of mixed metal oxide catalysts and materials for piezoelectrics and superconductors.

Abstract: A method of coating phosphor particles by chemical vapor deposition. The phosphors are coated by introducing an inert gas into a reaction vessel; charging phosphor particles into the reaction vessel; heating the reaction vessel to a reaction temperature; introducing a coating precursor which includes carbon into the reaction vessel for a time sufficient to saturate the phosphor particles with the precursor; continuing precursor flow into the reaction vessel; introducing an oxygen/ozone mixture into the reaction vessel, the oxygen/ozone mixture comprising less than 4.4 wt. % ozone; and maintaining the inert gas flow, oxygen/ozone mixture flow and further precursor supply for a time sufficient to coat the phosphor particles. The process produces phosphors having from 2200 to 6300 ppm of carbon on the coating and provides lamp efficacy's of greater than 6.1 lm/watt.

Abstract: A method for preparing materials in particulate and bulk forms is disclosed. Particulate materials prepared by the method include for example single-phase, mixed-metal oxide materials; multi-phase, mixed-metal materials comprising a metal oxide; and multinary metal materials.

Abstract: There is provided a powder for permanent magnet comprising needle-like fine particles of Fe or Fe—Co alloy as a base material, a hard magnetic layer and a separation layer of an oxide of rare earth element provided outside said hard magnetic layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing Pd/Au-containing supported catalysts by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) of vaporizable Pd/Au precursors. For this purpose, suitable noble metal precursors are vaporized and deposited on porous support bodies and subsequently reduced thermally or chemically to the metal and thereby fixed to the support. In particular, the invention relates to the production of Pd/Au coated catalysts on porous supports by this method.

Abstract: A thermally conductive and electrically insulative polymer composition and a method for creating the same is provided. Thermally conductive filler material is coated with a thermally conductive and electrically insulative coating material and mixed with a base polymer matrix. The mixture is molded into the desired shape. The electrically insulative coating material prevents the transfer of electricity through the filler material thus resulting in an electrically insulative composition.

Abstract: Diamond particles are coated with a Ti metal to form Ti metal coated diamond particles product by contacting the diamond particles with an alloy of the following composition, Ti(1−x)Crx, where 0.05<x<0.5, at a temperature of less than about 850° C. and for a time sufficient for the alloy to coat the diamond particles. The resulting coated diamond particles have an average particle size ranging from about 5 to 800 &mgr;m and are coated with metal coating composed of an inner carbide layer enriched in Cr content and an outer layer depleted in Cr content.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material is disclosed with no collapse due to pulverization of hydrogen storage alloy particles by repeated hydrogen absorption and desorption thereby permitting repeated use while manifesting excellent electric and thermal conductivities. Pressure molding of hydrogen storage alloy particles, each being covered with a plated metal film having microgranules of a thermoplastic resin, at a temperature higher than a glass transition temperature or a melting point of and below a thermal decomposition temperature of the thermoplastic resin can produce a porous hydrogen storage material of hydrogen storage alloy particles being bonded to each other via the thermoplastic resin. The hydrogen storage material can become firm and strong because the plated metal films covering the hydrogen storage alloy particles are clasped with each other complexly.

Abstract: A multi-coating step immersion coating process for producing a coating of a noble metal on a non-noble metal substrate, wherein the noble metal is of a predetermined amount expressed as a percent of the total weight of coated product, and wherein the non-noble metal substrate is in the form of fine particles or a powder is disclosed. The process also utilizes inter-plating step and post-plating step rinsing step sequences which together with the use of the plurality of coating steps consistently results in high quality product having a uniform coating, excellent corrosion resistance and excellent electrical conductivity. Use of the coated products produced according to the process in a variety of electrically conductive compositions, including plastics, adhesives and inks, and in plastic and resin based electromagnetic shielding materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming magnetic alloy nanoparticles includes forming a metal salt solution with a reducing agent and stabilizing ligands, introducing an organometallic compound into the metal salt solution to form a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature between 260° and 300° C., and adding a flocculent to cause the magnetic alloy nanoparticles to precipitate out of the mixture without permanent agglomeration. The deposition of the alkane dispersion of FePt alloy particles, followed by the annealing results in the formation of a shiny FePt nanocrystalline thin film with coercivity ranging from 500 Oe to 6500 Oe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of an insulated soft magnetic powder comprising the steps of mixing particles of a soft magnetic iron base powder with an acidic, aqueous insulating-layer forming solution, in which MgO has been dissolved; and drying the obtained mixture to obtain an electrically insulating Mg containing layer on the particle surfaces. The invention also concerns the powder per se as well as compressed soft magnetic powder cores prepared from the powder.

Abstract: Multilayered particulate materials are formed by coating a particulate substrate with a metal and adsorbing an organic layer comprising a recognition moiety onto the metal film. The recognition moiety interacts with an analyte of interest allowing for its detection, purification, etc. Suitable recognition moieties can be selected from a range of species including, small molecules, polymers and biomolecules and the like. The novel particulate materials of the invention can be utilized in an array of methods including, ion-exchange, ion-selective ion-exchange, assays, affinity dialysis, size exclusion dialysis, as supports in solid phase synthesis, combinatorial synthesis and screening of compound libraries and the like.

Abstract: Materials in bulk and film forms are prepared from fine particulate precursors such as single-phase, mixed-metal oxides; multi-phase, mixed-metal particles comprising a metal oxide; multinary metal particles; mixtures of such particles with other particles; and particulate materials intercalated with other materials.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials are classified into those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function directly disposed on the surface of a base and those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer has a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: The invention comprises particle forming methods, laser pyrolysis particle forming methods, chemical mechanical polishing slurries, and chemical mechanical polishing processes. In but one preferred implementation, a particle forming method includes feeding a first set of precursors to a first energy application zone. Energy is applied to the first set of precursors in the first energy application zone effective to react and form solid particles from the first set of precursors. Application of any effective energy to the solid particles is ceased and the solid particles and a second set of precursors are fed to a second energy application zone. Energy is applied to the second set of precursors in the second energy application zone effective to react and form solid material about the solid particles from the second set of precursors. Preferably, at least one of the first and second applied energies comprises laser energy.

Abstract: Substantially spherical magneto-plumbite ferrite (barium or strontium ferrite) particles are formed from well-dispersed ultra-fine substantially spherical iron-based oxide and/or hydroxide particles as precursor particles. The precursor particles are mixed with a colloidal barium or strontium carbonate (BaCO3 or SrCO3), and with small amounts of a byproduct, such as sodium or potassium chloride (NaCl or KCl) or hydroxide (NaOH or KOH) or nitrate (NaNO3 or KNO3), functioning as a flux to lower the calcination temperature. The particles are filtered out of the mixture, dried, and calcined for a time sufficiently long and/or at a temperature sufficiently high to form magneto-plumbite ferrite from the precursor particles, and for a time sufficiently short and/or a temperature sufficiently low to maintain the general spherical shape of the precursor particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through an amorphous binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles. A lower layer of the photocatalytic layer is embedded in the binder layer such that an intermediate layer is formed between the binder layer and the photocatalytic layer, the intermediate layer including components of the binder and photocatalytic layers in varying concentrations therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the charring ratio of coal. In manufacturing an ingot iron using the coal, magnesium oxide or limestone is used as an additive for charring the coal. The additive increases the charring ratio of the coal while giving no affection onto slag. An MgO suspension or limestone suspension is mixed with the coal and thus obtained mixture is dried to attach MgO or the limestone onto the surface of the coal. The charring effect is increased and the using amount of coke can be reduced.

Abstract: A photocatalytic functional material having an excellent photocatalytic activity even by a low temperature heat treatment and having a high mechanical strength of the surface. The photocatalytic functional material of the present invention comprises a surface layer (a photocatalytic functional layer) containing a photocatalyst, an electron trapping metal and a photodegradation-resistant matrix. Though the major proportion of the photocatalyst (TiO2 particles, and the like) in the photocatalytic functional layer are covered with the photodegradation-resistant matrix (a thermosetting resin, and the like), the electron-trapping metal effectively traps the electrons generated by the photocatalytic reaction, retains positive holes and generates active oxygen species, so that the photocatalytic function such as deodorant and antimicrobial activities can be fully exhibited.

Abstract: A plurality of particles include a first material. A coating including a second material is formed on surfaces of the particles, until a selected ratio of the volume of the coating relative to the volume of the particles is achieved. A plurality of particles, including the coated particles, are consolidated in a manner such that the particles are caused to be joined to each other, to form an article. The ratio of the volume of the coating relative to the volume of the particles is selected in a manner such that the article is engineered to have a selected volume fraction representing the volume of the second material in the article relative to the volume of the first material in the article. The first material, the second material, and the volume fraction are selected in a manner such that the article is engineered to exhibit a selected intrinsic property.

Abstract: A contact mass for use in the synthesis of organohalosilanes is prepared by adding metallic copper particles to metallic silicon particles, and rubbing the particles against each other under high shear forces in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, thereby forming a metallic copper thin film on the surface of the metallic silicon particles in a spot pattern or entirely. The contact mass is capable of reducing the time required for activation and has an extended lifetime.