Abstract: A three-dimensional object may be manufactured using a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technique. A layer of powder feed material may be distributed over a solid substrate and scanned with a high-energy laser beam to locally melt selective regions of the layer and form a pool of molten feed material. The pool of molten feed material may be exposed to gaseous nitrogen, carbon, or boron to respectively dissolve nitride, carbide, or boride ions into the pool of molten feed material to produce a molten nitrogen, carbon, or boron-containing solution. The molten nitrogen, carbon, or boron-containing solution may cool and solidify into a solid layer of fused nitride, carbide, or boride-containing material.

Abstract: The invention discloses Method for whole component microwave fast digestion and precious metal extraction from ionic liquid of waste circuit board, and belongs to the field of hydrometallurgy. Based on the theory that microwaves can directly penetrate through a leaching medium to directly heat a circuit board, microwave-assisted leaching can reinforce mass transfer and heat transfer in the traditional leaching process, the leaching time is greatly shortened, and the leaching efficiency is improved. Before leaching, a waste circuit board does not need to be smashed, and environmental protection is achieved while energy is saved. The temperature rising process and reaction time of the reaction can be controlled, the whole process is conducted under the airtight condition, heat loss in the leaching process is avoided, the valuable leaching rate is high, the selectivity is high, and efficient leaching of valuable metal can be achieved.

Abstract: A carbon fiber recycling method utilizes a carbon fiber recycling device for recycling carbon fiber from a carbon fiber polymer composite by using a microwave. The carbon fiber recycling device has a cavity and at least one microwave supplying unit. The carbon fiber recycling method adjusts the microwave supplying unit to change the angle between the long axis direction of the cavity and the electric field direction, and to make the long axis direction of the carbon fiber parallel to the electric field direction. By radiating the microwave on the carbon fiber polymer composite, energy of the microwave is quickly absorbed by the carbon fiber to quickly increase a temperature of the carbon fiber, and the carbon fiber polymer composite is effectively and quickly decomposed to remove most polymer matrix of the carbon fiber polymer composite, so as to achieve the objective of recycling the carbon fiber indeed.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide for a gas purging plug (10) with a ceramic refractory body (10k) with a first end (10u) and a second end (10o); the second end (10o) is in the mounted position of the gas purging plug (10) in contact with a metal melt (41); the first end (10u) is at least partially covered with a metal cover (12.1), the metal cover (12.1) comprises an opening (16) to which optionally a gas supply adapter (20) is connected; the gas purging plug (10) is designed in such a way, that a purging gas which is supplied via the gas supply pipe (30) to the opening (16) flows through the body (10k) and exits the body (10k) at the second end (10o); and wherein at least one electronic sensor (70, 70.1, 70.2, 70.3, 70.4) is in contact with the gas purging plug (10), to detect a mechanical vibration (81).

Abstract: A connecting rod comprises a shaft connecting a first end including a first bore with a second end including a second bore. Methods for forming and assembling a connecting rod and crankshaft assembly include fabricating the second end of the connecting rod via additive manufacturing such that the second end comprises a first and second weakened regions on opposing sides of the second bore, and breaking the second end of the connecting rod at the first and second weakened regions to form a connecting rod assembly comprising a second end base and a second end cap, wherein the base comprises a first fracture face and a second fracture face which each respectively correspond to a first fracture face and a second fracture face of the cap. The methods can further include mating the base and the cap such that a crankpin of a crankshaft is disposed within the second bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing, in particular generatively producing, and coding a three-dimensional component. Said method comprises the following steps: providing a starting material, supplying a process gas to the starting material, melting the starting material by means of a heat source, and repeating the aforementioned steps. The method according to the invention is characterized in that, at least at a predetermined time interval during the melting of the starting material, a coding component or a coding gas containing a coding component is added to the process gas such that the use of the coding component in the finished object is detectable, and coding information is logged which describes the coding information and the location thereof in the component.

Abstract: A heap of a material to be leached to recover a valuable metal from the material includes an electromagnetic heating system to generate heat in situ in the heap.

Abstract: A processing method according to the present embodiment is a processing method of a fiber containing resin in which fibers are contained in a matrix resin. The processing method includes: a step of thermal decomposition of the matrix resin in the fiber containing resin; and a step of stirring a resulting fibers bundle in solvent after the thermal decomposition. At the time of the thermal decomposition, the matrix resin may be carbonized in a dry distillation-carbonization furnace, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for breaking up ore. The methods and devices are characterized in particular in that ore mineral or ore minerals can be subsequently easily extracted. For this purpose coherent NIR radiation, non-coherent NIR radiation, at least one electric alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one magnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one electromagnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, or a combination thereof are respectively applied to the ore at least once by means of a device for generating the radiation, the at least one alternating field, or the radiation and the at least one alternating field, wherein ore mineral, ore minerals, absorbent components, or ore minerals and absorbent components of the ore absorb(s) energy from the radiation, the alternating field, or the radiation and the alternating field and said energy is not or is only slightly absorbed by the lode matter.

Abstract: A process for producing a metallic component with an opening or a hollow space by selective laser sintering or laser melting includes melting a metallic powder in layers at appropriate cross-sectional regions by using laser radiation. After the laser sintering or laser melting process, the component is subjected to a fracture splitting process, in which the component is fractured into at least two fractional parts along a fracture line and then the at least two fractional parts are connected to one another at the sites of fracture to form the component. The fracture line contacts or passes through the opening or the hollow space.

Abstract: Provided is a high-purity titanium ingot having a purity, excluding an additive element and gas components, of 99.99 mass % or more, wherein at least one nonmetallic element selected from S, P, and B is contained in a total amount of 0.1 to 100 mass ppm as the additive component and the variation in the content of the nonmetallic element between the top, middle, and bottom portions of the ingot is within ±200%. Provided is a method of manufacturing a titanium ingot containing a nonmetallic element in an amount of 0.1 to 100 mass ppm, wherein S, P, or B, which is a nonmetallic element, is added to molten titanium as an intermetallic compound or a master alloy to produce a high-purity titanium ingot having a purity, excluding an additive element and gas components, of 99.99 mass % or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metals and matrix composites and methods of manufacture. A method of refining a metal oxide is shown. A method of forming a carbon nanotube metal matrix composite is shown using a metal oxide and an amount of carbon nanotubes. Processing is carried out using wave energy radiation such as microwave radiation. In some methods, processing is carried out while substantially isolated from external oxygen sources such as ambient air.

Abstract: A high-purity lanthanum, characterized by having a purity of 5N or more excluding rare earth elements and gas components, and ?-ray count number of 0.001 cph/cm2 or less. A method for producing the high-purity lanthanum characterized by obtaining lanthanum crystal by subjecting a crude lanthanum metal raw material having a purity of 4N or less excluding the gas component to molten salt electrolysis at a bath temperature of 450 to 700° C., subjecting the lanthanum crystal to de-salting treatment, and removing volatile substances by performing electron beam melting, wherein the high-purity lanthanum has a purity of 5N or more excluding rare earth elements and gas components, and ?-ray count number of 0.001 cph/cm2 or less. The object of the present invention is providing a technique capable of efficiently and stably providing a high-purity lanthanum with low ?-ray, a sputtering target made from the high-purity lanthanum, and a metal gate thin film having the high-purity lanthanum as the main component.

Abstract: Combined microwave heating and plasma/electric arc heating is utilized in several processes and apparatus which involve co-production of pig iron and high quality syngas, biomass to liquid fuel production, coal to liquid fuel production, co-gasification of biomass and coal, municipal solid waste treatment, waste-to-energy (agriculture waste, ASR and PEF), EAF dust and BOF sludge treatment to recover zinc and iron, hazardous bottom ash vitrification, and bromine, chlorine and sulfur removal/recycling.

Abstract: Direct reduced iron (DRI) is obtained from iron ore by reduction using microwave assisted low temperature hydrogen plasma. The process includes steps of: (a) loading iron ore onto a sample holder (b) placing the sample holder inside a chamber followed by evacuating the chamber; (c) introducing hydrogen gas in the chamber at flow rate ranging between 100-500 standard cubic centimeters (sccm) followed by heating the sample holder and the iron ore at a temperature ranging between 300-800° C., a pressure ranging between 20-100 torr and a microwave power ranging between 500-1500 W to obtain direct reduced iron; and (d) cooling the direct reduced iron obtained in step (c) by flowing hydrogen at flow rate of about 300 sccm.

Abstract: One aspect is a microwave furnace including a conveyor for conveying a first material layer, and a second material layer carried on the first material layer, through the furnace. A microwave heating zone is configured for heating the second material layer with a microwave generator as the conveyer conveys the layers through the microwave heating zone. The second material layer consists of a metal-containing material. A direct heat zone is configured for heating the second material layer with a direct heat source as the conveyer conveys the layers through the direct heat zone. A discharge is provided for discharging the material layers out of the microwave furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for breaking up ore. The methods and devices are characterised in particular in that ore mineral or ore minerals can be subsequently easily extracted. For this purpose coherent NIR radiation, non-coherent NIR radiation, at least one electric alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one magnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one electromagnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, or a combination thereof are respectively applied to the ore at least once by means of a device for generating the radiation, the at least one alternating field, or the radiation and the at least one alternating field, wherein ore mineral, ore minerals, absorbent components, or ore minerals and absorbent components of the ore absorb(s) energy from the radiation, the alternating field, or the radiation and the alternating field and said energy is not or is only slightly absorbed by the lode matter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved process control in metal smelting through measurement of off-gas profiles in real time. A tunable laser source is projected across a volume of off-gas and detected to provide a real time profile of gas concentrations. The real time gas concentration profile may be compared with known profiles to identify problems in the smelting process or to identify when the process is complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing iron oxides using microwave heating in a furnace chamber which is sealed against the entrance of air reduces the energy required and produces a low temperature reduction and allows the recovery of combustible synthetic gas as a byproduct of the process. Avoidance of the reduction of sulfur, phosphorus and silica is also insured, as is the need to reduce the silica content of the feed material prior to reducing the ore. A continuous rotary hearth furnace, a rotary kiln, a linear conveyor and vertical shaft furnace chamber configurations are described. A secondary heating zone can also be included to process the reduced iron into iron nuggets or liquid metallic iron.

Abstract: A method for producing high-purity lanthanum having a purity of 4N or more excluding rare earth elements other than lanthanum and gas components, wherein lanthanum having a purity of 4N or more is produced by reducing, with distilled calcium, a lanthanum fluoride starting material that has a purity of 4N or more excluding rare earth elements other than lanthanum and gas components, and the obtained lanthanum is subjected to electron beam melting to remove volatile substances. The method for producing high-purity lanthanum, in which Al, Fe, and Cu are respectively contained in the amount of 10 wtppm or less. The method for producing high-purity lanthanum, in which total content of gas components is 1000 wtppm or less. The present invention aims to provide a technique capable of efficiently and stably providing high-purity lanthanum, a sputtering target composed of high-purity lanthanum, and a thin film for metal gate that contains high-purity lanthanum as a main component.

Abstract: A method for recycling noble metals from electronic waste materials and apparatus thereof. The method comprises the following steps: mechanically breaking up the electronic waste materials; removing rubber and plastic materials by electrostatic separation; removing ferromagnetic metals by magnetic separation; removing residual rubber and plastic materials by microwave pyrolysis; removing low-melting-point metals by indirectly heating using microwave; separating the noble metals from one another in turn from low-melting-point metal to high-melting-point metal for recycle. The apparatus includes a microwave housing. A filtering screen is positioned on the inside wall of the housing horizontally, and vertically-arranged and open-ended heating pipes are positioned over the filtering screen. The method and apparatus can adequately recycle resources in the electronic waste materials.

Abstract: A silicon purification method includes a solidification purification step comprising: preparing the base material to be purified, loading the base material into a crucible, irradiating part of the base material, and fully melting the base material; gradually solidifying the base material by gradually weakening an electron beam so that the solidification proceeds until the solidifying portion occupies a first predetermined ratio of the base material; loading the remnant of the base material into the crucible, and fully melting the remnant of the base material by irradiating the entire area of the remnant of the base material with the electron beam; gradually solidifying the molten metal portion by gradually weakening the electron beam so that the solidification proceeds until the solidifying portion occupies a second predetermined ratio of the molten metal portion; and removing an unsolidified molten metal portion.

Abstract: A method for refining a metal such that, after a base material derived from the metal is melted by being irradiated with an electron beam, the base material is refined by solidifying the base material which was melted, the method including: a step melting all of the base material by irradiating the electron beam over an entire surface of the base material loaded inside a water-cooled crucible placed inside a high vacuum atmosphere; a step gradually solidifying the base material which was melted from a molten metal bottom part of the base material which was melted toward a molten metal surface part at a side being irradiated by the electron beam by gradually weakening an output of the electron beam while maintaining a condition in which the base material which was melted is irradiated with the electron beam; and a step removing a molten metal part which is not solidified, after the base material which was melted is solidified to a certain percentage.

Abstract: An alloy comprising at least two refractory metals and a method for forming such alloy are proposed. In the alloy, a first refractory metal such as tantalum forming a minor portion of the alloy is completely dissolved in a second refractory metal such as tungsten forming a major portion of the alloy. The alloy may be formed by providing the two refractory metals in a common crucible (step S1), melting both refractory metals by application of an electron beam (step S2), mixing the molten refractory metals (step S3) and solidifying the melt (step S4). Due to the possible complete mixing of the refractory metal components in a molten state, improved material properties of the solidified alloy may be achieved. Furthermore, due to the use of tantalum instead of rhenium together with tungsten, a cheap and resistant refractory metal alloy may be produced, which alloy may be used for example for forming a focal track region of an X-ray anode.

Abstract: One aspect provides for the separating of two or more joined materials by heating with microwaves, thereby producing differential thermal expansion of the materials. The pieces to be treated are exposed to microwave energy, producing differing rates of heating, and therefore expansion, of the differing materials making up the treated pieces of material. The differential thermal expansion of the differing materials will cause sufficient strain to separate the differing materials. Separation can be enhanced in some cases by following microwave heating with rapid cooling of the treated material.

Abstract: In a method of producing a metal structure by photoreducing metal ion, a substance capable of suppressing growth of metal crystal is added to a medium in which metal ion is dispersed to prevent growth of the metal crystal produced by photoreduction of the metal ion, thereby processing resolution of a metal structure formed of the metal crystal is improved.

Abstract: Combined microwave heating and plasma/electric arc heating is utilized in several processes and apparatus which involve co-production of pig iron and high quality syngas, biomass to liquid fuel production, coal to liquid fuel production, co-gasification of biomass and coal, municipal solid waste treatment, waste-to-energy (agriculture waste, ASR and PEF), EAF dust and BOF sludge treatment to recover zinc and iron, hazardous bottom ash vitrification, and bromine, chlorine and sulfur removal/recycling.

Abstract: One aspect is a method of recovering minerals. The method includes heating aggregated minerals with microwave energy. The aggregated minerals consists of at least a first and a second mineral bound together, the first and second minerals each having different differential thermal expansion rates such that fractures occur between the minerals of the aggregated minerals. The fractured minerals are subjected to microwave heating to induce fractures between and separation of the at least first and second minerals, and also to ultrasound energy causing further size reduction. The fractured and size-reduced minerals are heated with microwave energy. The fractured and size-reduced minerals consist of metal-containing materials, such that metal-containing materials are heated to at least the melting temperature of one of the metals in the metal-containing materials.

Abstract: A method for detoxifying spent CCA (copper, chromium, arsenic) treated wood, from which CCA is efficiently removed from the wood, allowing both the CCA and the wood to be reused has been developed. The method comprises the steps of (1) microwave-enhanced acid extraction of CCA, (2) separation of the acid-containing CCA solution from the wood, (3) separation/precipitation of CCA from the acid extract, (4) recovery and regeneration of CCA-bearing precipitant for reuse in the wood preservation industry, (5) recycling recovered acid solution, (6) microwave-assisted liquefaction of the extracted wood, and (7) use of detoxified liquefied wood to form polymeric materials such as polyurethanes and phenolic resin adhesives. The recovered CCA may be used to treat wood. The recovered acids may be used to extract CCA from CCA-treated wood, and the liquefied wood may be used as phenolic or polyurethane resins.

Abstract: A method for purifying Al-Ti-B) alloy melt includes putting and melting industrial aluminum ingot in an electromagnetic induction smelting furnace, the melt of Al being covered by a high-temperature covering agent, and its temperature up to at about 670˜90° C.; adding material of K2TiF6 and KBF4 into the smelting furnace and then stirring the compounds therein to react; adding compound comprising Mg, L, Na and F to the evenly stirred K2TiF6 and KBF4, the compound having an amount about 0.01%˜1% of a sum weight of total K2TiF6 and KBF4, and uniformly stirring for about 15-60 minutes under a reaction temperature being constantly at about 670˜900° C., the dregs being removed, the Al alloy being casting molded.

Abstract: A silicon purification method includes a solidification purification step in which metal impurities are removed by irradiating a base material made of metallic silicon with an electron beam.

Abstract: A method for refining a metal such that, after a base material derived from the metal is melted by being irradiated with an electron beam, the base material is refined by solidifying the base material which was melted, the method including: a step melting all of the base material by irradiating the electron beam over an entire surface of the base material loaded inside a water-cooled crucible placed inside a high vacuum atmosphere; a step gradually solidifying the base material which was melted from a molten metal bottom part of the base material which was melted toward a molten metal surface part at a side being irradiated by the electron beam by gradually weakening an output of the electron beam while maintaining a condition in which the base material which was melted is irradiated with the electron beam; and a step removing a molten metal part which is not solidified, after the base material which was melted is solidified to a certain percentage.

Abstract: A tantalum or tantalum alloy which contains pure or substantially pure tantalum and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a tantalum alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the tantalum alloy.

Abstract: A method of purifying a target powder having an oxygen content, the method comprising: flowing hydrogen gas through a microwave production chamber; applying microwaves to the hydrogen gas as the hydrogen gas flows through the microwave production chamber, thereby forming hydrogen radicals from the hydrogen gas; flowing the hydrogen radicals out of the microwave production chamber to the target powder disposed outside of the microwave production chamber; and applying the hydrogen radicals to the target powder, thereby removing a portion of the oxygen content from the powder. Preferably, the target powder is agitated as the hydrogen radicals are being applied.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the ore content and for further treatment of the ore, the ore content of the crushed ore being monitored in the method on-line and the information on the ore content being utilized in the further treatment of the ore.

Abstract: One aspect is a method for producing an alloy, whereby the alloy includes at least a first metal and a second metal, whereby firstly a powder metallurgical route and subsequently a melt metallurgical route is used sequentially in order to generate the alloy from the, at least, first metal and the second metal. The method includes grinding the first metal into a first metal powder, grinding the second metal into a second metal powder, mixing the first metal powder and the second metal powder to produce a blended powder, generating a blended body from the blended powder by the powder metallurgical route, and generating the alloy by melting the blended body by the melt metallurgical route.

Abstract: A method of making palladium-containing nanoscale catalyst particles comprising subjecting a starting material to laser energy so as to form a vapor and condensing the vapor so as to form the catalyst particles. The catalyst comprises nanoscale particles of palladium and/or palladium oxide incorporated in and/or on nanoscale particles of a metal or metal oxide. The nanoscale catalyst, which can be incorporated in the tobacco cut filler, cigarette wrapper and/or cigarette filter of a cigarette, is useful for low-temperature and near-ambient temperature catalysis. The nanoscale catalyst can convert carbon monoxide and nitric oxide that are found in mainstream smoke to carbon dioxide and nitrogen, respectively. The nanoscale catalyst may also be incorporated into a hydrocarbon conversion reactor, into a vehicle exhaust emissions system, into a laser, into a fuel cell or used in an air filter or for emissions reduction in the cold starting of an automobile engine.

Abstract: CuInS2 nanoparticles have been prepared from single source precursors via microwave irradiation. Also, CuInGaS2 alloy nanoparticles have been prepared. Microwave irradiation methods have allowed an increase in the efficiency of preparation of these materials by providing increased uniformity of heating and shorter reaction times. Nanoparticle growth has been controlled in the about 1 to 5 nm size range by variation of thiolated capping ligand concentrations as well as reaction temperatures and times. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles has been performed using electronic absorption and luminescence emission spectroscopy. Qualitative nanoparticles sizes have been determined from the photoluminescence (PL) data and compared to TEM images.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: Multimode and single mode microwave energy is used to improve the extraction of metals from chalcogenide minerals. In one process microwave energy is used to comminute the mineral after which the mineral is reacted with acid in the presence of microwave energy. Following treatment the mineral is removed and the extracted metal is recovered from the acid. In another process chalcogenide minerals are exposed to the magnetic field maximum or the electrical field maximum of a single mode electromagnetic energy. This treatment causes a phase separation between metals and silicates within the mineral leaving metal rich regions from which the metal can be readily recovered by traditional methods.

Abstract: Scrap silicon from which a profit can be obtained taking into consideration the purchase price and refining cost of scrap silicon and the expected sale price of silicon products is selectively recovered, the recovered scrap silicon is refined, and silicon which can be sold as a silicon product is manufactured.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnesium-based alloy includes the steps of: (a) mixing a number of carbon nanotubes with a number of magnesium particles; (b) heating the mixture in a protective gas to achieve a semi-solid-state paste; (c) stirring the semi-solid-paste using an electromagnetic stirring force to disperse the carbon nanotubes into the paste; (d) injecting the semi-solid-state paste into a die; and (e) cooling the semi-solid-state paste to achieve a magnesium-based alloy. An apparatus for fabricating the magnesium-based alloy includes a transferring device, a thixomolding machine, and an electromagnetic stirring device. The transferring device includes a feed inlet. The thixomolding machine includes a heating barrel having two ends, a nozzle disposed at a first end thereof, and an material input positioned at a second end thereof. The electromagnetic stirring device includes an electromagnetic induction coil disposed on an outer wall of the heating barrel.

Abstract: Provided are high-purity lanthanum, wherein the purity excluding rare-earth elements and gas components is 4N or higher, and amounts of aluminum, iron and copper in the lanthanum are respectively 100 wtppm or less; as well as high-purity lanthanum, wherein the purity excluding rare-earth elements and gas components is 4N or higher, amounts of aluminum, iron and copper in the lanthanum are respectively 100 wtppm or less, oxygen content is 1500 wtppm or less, elements of alkali metals and alkali earth metals are respectively 1 wtppm or less, elements of transition metals and high-melting-point metals other than those above are respectively 10 wtppm or less, and radioactive elements are respectively 10 wtppb or less. The invention aims to provide technology capable of efficiently and stably providing high-purity lanthanum, a sputtering target comprising high-purity lanthanum, and a thin film for metal gate mainly comprising high-purity lanthanum.

Abstract: One aspect provides for the separating of two or more joined materials by heating with microwaves, thereby producing differential thermal expansion of the materials. The pieces to be treated are exposed to microwave energy, producing differing rates of heating, and therefore expansion, of the differing materials making up the treated pieces of material. The differential thermal expansion of the differing materials will cause sufficient strain to separate the differing materials. Separation can be enhanced in some cases by following microwave heating with rapid cooling of the treated material.

Abstract: One aspect is a method of recovering minerals. The method includes heating aggregated minerals with microwave energy. The aggregated minerals consists of at least a first and a second mineral bound together, the first and second minerals each having different differential thermal expansion rates such that fractures occur between the minerals of the aggregated minerals. The fractured minerals are subjected to microwave heating to induce fractures between and separation of the at least first and second minerals, and also to ultrasound energy causing further size reduction. The fractured and size-reduced minerals are heated with microwave energy. The fractured and size-reduced minerals consist of metal-containing materials, such that metal-containing materials are heated to at least the melting temperature of one of the metals in the metal-containing materials.

Abstract: Hard phase particles including Co alloy particles, carbide alloy particles, and silicide particles are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout a matrix composed of Cu self-fluxing alloy of a cladded portion. The cladded portion contains 6 to 15% by weight of Co, 3 to 8% by weight of one of Cr and Mo, 0.3 to 1% by weight of W, 0.5 to 1.8% by weight of Fe, 8 to 15% by weight of Ni, 0.08 to 0.2% by weight of C, 1.5 to 4% by weight of Si, 0.5 to 0.8% by weight of Al, and 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of P, and inevitable impurities and Cu as a balance. The hard phase particles have an average particle diameter of 8 to 20 ?m and a particle size distribution width of 0.1 to 100 ?m, and to occupy 10 to 20% in an arbitrary cross section of the cladded portion.

Abstract: A high purity Ni—V alloy, high purity Ni—V alloy target and high purity Ni—V alloy thin film wherein the purity of the Ni—V alloy excluding Ni, V and gas components is 99.9 wt % or higher, and the V content variation among ingots, targets or thin films is within 0.4%. With these high purity Ni—V alloy, high purity Ni—V alloy target and high purity Ni—V alloy thin film having a purity of 99.9 wt % or higher, the variation among ingots, targets or thin films is small, the etching property is improved, and isotopic elements such as U and Th that emit alpha particles having an adverse effect on microcircuits in a semiconductor device are reduced rigorously. Further provided is a method of manufacturing such high purity Ni—V alloys capable of effectively reducing the foregoing impurities.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a medical implant component. The method may comprise producing a substrate from a first material in which the substrate has a bearing portion, and spraying particles of a second material by use of a thermal type spraying process onto at least the bearing portion of the substrate. The second material may be formed from a biocompatible material and a carbide source, in which the carbide source is 6.17% or more of the second material by weight. The biocompatible material may be cobalt chrome and the carbide source may be graphite. The thermal type spraying process may be a plasma spraying process or a high velocity oxygen fuel spraying process.

Abstract: There is provided a melting furnace with an agitator. The melting furnace with an agitator includes a melting furnace that contains melt, and an agitator that agitates the melt by an electromagnetic force. The agitator includes a first electrode that is provided at an arbitrary position of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt contained in the melting furnace, a second electrode that is provided near a bottom wall of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt, a first magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a north pole face the bottom wall, and a second magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a south pole face the bottom wall. The first and second magnetic field devices are disposed with a gap in a certain direction.