A method of making an amalgamation preform includes providing a particle-liquid mixture containing a plurality of types of solid particles and a liquid base metal. The plurality of types of solid particles at least includes reactive particles, reactable with the base metal, and non-reactive magnetic particles. A magnetic field is applied to the particle-liquid mixture to magnetically disperse the plurality of types of solid particles in the liquid base metal to form a particle-liquid dispersion without substantially inducing a reaction between the reactive particles and the liquid base metal. A playdough-like amalgamation preform is prepared based on the particle-liquid dispersion without solidifying the liquid base metal.

Producing Co.sub.xFe.sub.100-x, where x is an integer from 20 to 95, nanoparticles by: (a) providing a first aqueous hydroxide solution; (b) preparing a second aqueous solution containing iron ions and cobalt ions; and (c) depositing measured volumes of the second aqueous solution into the first aqueous solution whereby coprecipitation yields CoFe alloy nanoparticles, wherein step (c) occurs in an essentially oxygen-free environment. The nanoparticles are annealed at ambient temperatures to yield soft nanoparticles with targeted particle size, saturation magnetization and coercivity. The chemical composition, crystal structure and homogeneity are controlled at the atomic level. The CoFe magnetic nanoparticles have M.sub.s of 200-235 emu/g, (H.sub.c) coercivity of 18 to 36 O.sub.e and size range of 5-40 nm. The high magnetic moment CoFe nanoparticles can be employed in drug delivery, superior contrast agents for highly sensitive magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic immunoassay, magnetic labeling, waste water treatment, and magnetic separation.

Producing Co.sub.xFe.sub.100-x, where x is an integer from 20 to 95, nanoparticles by: (a) providing a first aqueous hydroxide solution; (b) preparing a second aqueous solution containing iron ions and cobalt ions; and (c) depositing measured volumes of the second aqueous solution into the first aqueous solution whereby coprecipitation yields CoFe alloy nanoparticles, wherein step (c) occurs in an essentially oxygen-free environment. The nanoparticles are annealed at ambient temperatures to yield soft nanoparticles with targeted particle size, saturation magnetization and coercivity. The chemical composition, crystal structure and homogeneity are controlled at the atomic level. The CoFe magnetic nanoparticles have M.sub.s of 200-235 emu/g, (H.sub.c) coercivity of 18 to 36 O.sub.e and size range of 5-40 nm. The high magnetic moment CoFe nanoparticles can be employed in drug delivery, superior contrast agents for highly sensitive magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic immunoassay, magnetic labeling, waste water treatment, and magnetic separation.

A system and method for visually enhancing an original image of an eye includes a visualization module. A controller is configured to convert an output of the visualization module to a first pixel cloud in a first color space and map the first pixel cloud to a second pixel cloud in a second color space. The method includes identifying at least one selected zone in the second color space. The controller is configured to move the selected zone from an original location to a modified location in the second color space. The second pixel cloud is updated to obtain a modified second pixel cloud, which is transformed into a third pixel cloud in the first color space. An enhanced image is formed based in part on the modified second pixel cloud and provides selective visual enhancement in the selected zone without affecting contrast in a remainder of the original image.

A system and method for visually enhancing an original image of an eye includes a visualization module. A controller is configured to convert an output of the visualization module to a first pixel cloud in a first color space and map the first pixel cloud to a second pixel cloud in a second color space. The method includes identifying at least one selected zone in the second color space. The controller is configured to move the selected zone from an original location to a modified location in the second color space. The second pixel cloud is updated to obtain a modified second pixel cloud, which is transformed into a third pixel cloud in the first color space. An enhanced image is formed based in part on the modified second pixel cloud and provides selective visual enhancement in the selected zone without affecting contrast in a remainder of the original image.

The present invention provides a magnetic multilayer pigment flake and a magnetic coating composition that are relatively safe for human health and the environment. The pigment flake includes one or more magnetic layers of a magnetic alloy and one or more dielectric layers of a dielectric material. The magnetic alloy is an iron-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, having a substantially nickel-free composition. The coating composition includes a plurality of the pigment flakes disposed in a binder medium.

The present invention provides a magnetic multilayer pigment flake and a magnetic coating composition that are relatively safe for human health and the environment. The pigment flake includes one or more magnetic layers of a magnetic alloy and one or more dielectric layers of a dielectric material. The magnetic alloy is an iron-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, having a substantially nickel-free composition. The coating composition includes a plurality of the pigment flakes disposed in a binder medium.

A process for concentrating graphite particles comprising a) providing a feedstock which contains the graphite particles and an undesired material, b) adding hydrophobic magnetic particles to the feedstock which results in a loaded feedstock containing agglomerates of the magnetic particles and the graphite particles, and c) separating the agglomerates from the loaded feedstock by a magnetic field which results in isolated agglomerates.

A process for concentrating graphite particles comprising a) providing a feedstock which contains the graphite particles and an undesired material, b) adding hydrophobic magnetic particles to the feedstock which results in a loaded feedstock containing agglomerates of the magnetic particles and the graphite particles, and c) separating the agglomerates from the loaded feedstock by a magnetic field which results in isolated agglomerates.

(Co)polymer matrix composites including a porous (co)polymeric network; a multiplicity of thermally-conductive particles and a multiplicity of magnetic particles distributed within the (co)polymeric network structure; wherein the thermally-conductive particles, magnetic particles and optional magnetic particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the particles and the (co)polymer (excluding the solvent). Methods of making and using the (co)polymer matrix composites are also disclosed. The (co)polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as heat dissipating or heat absorbing thermal interface materials that also provide magnetic properties useful, for example, in flux field directional materials or shielding from electromagnetic interference.