A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Discussed herein are systems and methods for fabrication of MgSnGe-based thermoelectric materials for applications from room temperature and near room temperature to high temperature applications. The TE materials may be fabricated by hand or ball milling a powder to a predetermined particle size and hot-pressing the milled powder to form a thermoelectric component with desired properties including a figure of merit (ZT) over a temperature range. The TE materials fabricated may be disposed in thermoelectric devices for varying applications.

A lightweight, selectively degradable composite material is disclosed. The composite material comprises a compacted powder mixture of a first powder, the first powder comprising first metal particles comprising Mg, Al, Mn, or Zn, or an alloy of any of the above, or a combination of any of the above, having a first particle oxidation potential, a second powder, the second powder comprising low-density ceramic, glass, cermet, intermetallic, metal, polymer, or inorganic compound second particles, and a third metal powder, the third metal powder comprising third metal particles having an oxidation potential that is different than the first particle oxidation potential. The compacted powder mixture has a microstructure comprising a matrix comprising the first metal particles, the second particles and third particles dispersed within the matrix, the third particles comprising a network of third particles extending throughout the matrix, the composite material having a density of about 3.5 g/cm.sup.3 or less.

Provided is an integrated device for preparing magnesium hydride powder and a method for preparing magnesium hydride powder. The device comprises a heating chamber for heating a magnesium-based metal material to produce metal droplets; a powder-making chamber comprising an atomizing means used for atomizing the metal droplets which are then cooled to form a metal powder; and a reaction chamber used for performing a hydrogenation reaction on the metal powder to form the magnesium hydride powder. The device is an integrated structure monolithic with a simple structure and a convenient operation; and the entire process of preparing magnesium hydride powder can be completed in this single device and can realize automated control. The preparation method is simple and easy to operate and produces a product that has a moderate size, uniform particles, and excellent performance.

Preform and manufacturing process producing heterogeneous components with a first fraction (11) made from a first metallic material and having a cellular structure with stochastic or regular cells, and a second fraction (12) made from a second metallic material different from the first metallic material, in which the second fraction (12) at least partly infiltrates the cells of the first fraction (11). The second fraction is poured into the preform which also acts as a mould. The finished product after machining may have a unified surface of the second fraction or several zones exposing the second fraction, the first fraction, the cellular structure which is open or infiltrated with the second metallic fraction, or open zones, in a predetermined design.

A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)-magnesium (Mg) alloy composites and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The BNNT-Mg alloy composites can have a sandwich structure and can be fabricated by high-pressure spark plasma sintering. A mat of BNNTs can be sputter-coated with Mg, and then sandwiched between Mg alloy particles, followed by a sintering step. The BNNTs can include a hexagonal boron nitride phase.

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)-magnesium (Mg) alloy composites and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The BNNT-Mg alloy composites can have a sandwich structure and can be fabricated by high-pressure spark plasma sintering. A mat of BNNTs can be sputter-coated with Mg, and then sandwiched between Mg alloy particles, followed by a sintering step. The BNNTs can include a hexagonal boron nitride phase.

A composite material comprising a metal matrix and nanocellulose supplement. The metal matrix is formed of a metal base material and may be monolithic throughout the composite material. The nanocellulose supplement improves a material property of the metal matrix and is formed of a nanocellulose supplement material dispersed in the metal base material. Importantly, the nanocellulose supplement material does not become damaged when the composite material is formed.

A method for removing powder from a component or part produced by metal additive manufacturing systems based on powder beds. The method includes manufacturing a part by additive manufacturing, the part having at least one internal cavity with at least one external opening. The internal cavity is at least partly filled with powder, the powder in the internal cavity having grains agglomerated or connected to each other. The method further including: evacuating gas from the internal cavity; adding liquid electrolyte to the internal cavity, and using an electrochemical process for separating connected powder grains in the cavity.