In an example three-dimensional printing method, individual layers of a metal-based build material are patterned, based on a 3D object model, with a binding agent to form an intermediate structure. A case-hardened portion of a 3D object is also patterned (based on the object model) by selectively depositing a hardening agent to deliver a predetermined concentration of a hardening element to at least one of the individual layers, wherein the individual layers are maintained below a vaporization temperature of the hardening agent during the selectively depositing. The intermediate structure is heated at a first rate to a temperature that aids in diffusion of the hardening element, and is held at the temperature for a predetermined time. The intermediate structure is cooled at a second rate. The intermediate structure, with the patterned case-hardened portion, is then sintered at a sintering temperature of the metal-based build material.

In an example three-dimensional printing method, individual layers of a metal-based build material are patterned, based on a 3D object model, with a binding agent to form an intermediate structure. A case-hardened portion of a 3D object is also patterned (based on the object model) by selectively depositing a hardening agent to deliver a predetermined concentration of a hardening element to at least one of the individual layers, wherein the individual layers are maintained below a vaporization temperature of the hardening agent during the selectively depositing. The intermediate structure is heated at a first rate to a temperature that aids in diffusion of the hardening element, and is held at the temperature for a predetermined time. The intermediate structure is cooled at a second rate. The intermediate structure, with the patterned case-hardened portion, is then sintered at a sintering temperature of the metal-based build material.

A three-dimensional printing kit can include a binder fluid, a gas-precursor fluid, and a particulate build material including metal particles. The binder fluid can include latex particles and an aqueous liquid vehicle. The gas-precursor fluid can include carbon black pigment dispersed in a second aqueous liquid vehicle.

A superhard polycrystalline construction comprises a body of polycrystalline superhard material formed of a mass of superhard grains exhibiting inter-granular bonding and defining a plurality of interstitial regions therebetween, and a non-superhard phase at least partially filling a plurality of the interstitial regions and having an associated shape factor of greater than around 0.65 and a substrate bonded to the body of superhard material along an interface, the substrate having a region adjacent the interface comprising hinder material in an amount at least 5% less than the remainder of the substrate.

Metal nanoparticles and compositions derived therefrom can be used in a number of different applications. Methods for making metal nanoparticles can include providing a first metal salt in a solvent; converting the first metal salt into an insoluble compound that constitutes a plurality of nanoparticle seeds; and after forming the plurality of nanoparticle seeds, reacting a reducing agent with at least a portion of a second metal salt in the presence of at least one surfactant and the plurality of nanoparticle seeds to form a plurality of metal nanoparticles. Each metal nanoparticle can include a metal shell formed around a nucleus derived from a nanoparticle seed, and the metal shell can include a metal from the second metal salt. The methods can be readily scaled to produce bulk quantities of metal nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to a powder mixture for three-dimensional (3D) printing of a cermet or a cemented carbide body. The powder mixture includes 65-85 wt % of porous cemented carbide or cermet particles of a median particle size (D50) of 10-35 μm, and 15-35 wt % of a dense cemented carbide or cermet particles of a median particle size (D50) of 3-10 μm. The present invention also relates to a method of making a cermet or cemented carbide body, the method including the steps of forming the powder mixture, 3D printing a body using the powder mixture and a printing binder and thereby forming a 3D printed cermet or cemented carbide green body and sintering the green body and to form a cermet or cemented carbide body.

Morphology, microstructure, compressive behavior, and biocorrosive properties of magnesium or magnesium alloy foams allow for their use in biodegradable biomedical, metal-air battery electrode, hydrogen storage, and lightweight transportation applications. Magnesium or Mg alloy foams are usually very difficult to manufacture due to the strong oxidation layer around the metallic particles; however, in this invention, they can be synthesized via a camphene-based freeze-casting process with the addition of graphite powder using precisely controlled heat-treatment parameters. The average porosity ranges from 45 to 85 percent and the median pore diameter is about a few tens to hundreds of microns, which are suitable for bio and energy applications utilizing their enhanced surface area. This invention based on powder-slurry freeze-casting method using camphene as a volatile solvent is also applicable for other metal foams such as iron, copper, or others to produce three-dimensional metal foams with high strut connectivity.

Morphology, microstructure, compressive behavior, and biocorrosive properties of magnesium or magnesium alloy foams allow for their use in biodegradable biomedical, metal-air battery electrode, hydrogen storage, and lightweight transportation applications. Magnesium or Mg alloy foams are usually very difficult to manufacture due to the strong oxidation layer around the metallic particles; however, in this invention, they can be synthesized via a camphene-based freeze-casting process with the addition of graphite powder using precisely controlled heat-treatment parameters. The average porosity ranges from 45 to 85 percent and the median pore diameter is about a few tens to hundreds of microns, which are suitable for bio and energy applications utilizing their enhanced surface area. This invention based on powder-slurry freeze-casting method using camphene as a volatile solvent is also applicable for other metal foams such as iron, copper, or others to produce three-dimensional metal foams with high strut connectivity.

The present invention relates to a powder for three-dimensional printing of a cermet or a cemented carbide body. The powder has 30-70 vol % of the particles that are <10 μm in diameter. The present invention also relates to a method of making a cermet or cemented carbide body. The method includes the steps of forming the powder, 3D printing a body using the powder together with a printing binder to form a 3D printed cermet or cemented carbide green body and subsequently sintering the green body to form a cermet or cemented carbide body.

A method of making a lithiated silicon-based precursor material for a negative electrode material of an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. An admixture comprising a plurality of lithium particles and a plurality of silicon particles is briquetted by applying pressure of greater than or equal to about 10 MPa and applying heat at a temperature of less than or equal to about 180° C. to form a precursor briquette. The briquette has lithium particles and silicon particles distributed in a matrix and has a porosity level of less than or equal to about 60% of the total volume of the precursor briquette. The briquetting is conducted in an environment having less than or equal to about 0.002% by weight of any oxygen-bearing species or nitrogen (N.sub.2).