A device including a chamber and a nozzle detachably connected to the chamber, the nozzle defining an aperture, a target carousel disposed within the chamber, a first laser configured to generate a first beam directed toward the target carousel to perform in-situ ablation to form a laser plume, a gas flow system configured to supply gas into the chamber, such that the gas interacts with the laser plume and causes condensation and formation of nanoparticles, and a second laser configured to generate a second beam directed through the interior of the chamber, through the aperture of the nozzle, and toward a substrate disposed outside the device, the second laser beam configured to sinter and crystalize on the substrate the nanoparticles exiting the nozzle.

A device including a chamber and a nozzle detachably connected to the chamber, the nozzle defining an aperture, a target carousel disposed within the chamber, a first laser configured to generate a first beam directed toward the target carousel to perform in-situ ablation to form a laser plume, a gas flow system configured to supply gas into the chamber, such that the gas interacts with the laser plume and causes condensation and formation of nanoparticles, and a second laser configured to generate a second beam directed through the interior of the chamber, through the aperture of the nozzle, and toward a substrate disposed outside the device, the second laser beam configured to sinter and crystalize on the substrate the nanoparticles exiting the nozzle.

A negative electrode active material for electric device is used which includes a silicon-containing alloy having a structure in which a silicide phase containing a silicide of a transition metal is dispersed in a parent phase containing amorphous or low crystalline silicon as a main component and a predetermined composition and in which a ratio value (B/A) of a diffraction peak intensity B of a silicide of a transition metal in a range of 2=37 to 45 to a diffraction peak intensity A of a (111) plane of Si in a range of 2=24 to 33 is 0.41 or more in an X-ray diffraction measurement of the silicon-containing alloy using a CuK1 ray.

The formation of amorphous porous bodies and in particular to a method of manufacturing such bodies from amorphous particulate materials. The method allows for the control of the volume fraction as well as the spatial and size distribution of gas-formed pores by control of the size distribution of the powder particulates. The method allows for the production of precursors of unlimited size, and because the softened state of the amorphous metals used in the method possesses visco-plastic properties, higher plastic deformations can be attained during consolidation as well as during expansion.

The formation of amorphous porous bodies and in particular to a method of manufacturing such bodies from amorphous particulate materials. The method allows for the control of the volume fraction as well as the spatial and size distribution of gas-formed pores by control of the size distribution of the powder particulates. The method allows for the production of precursors of unlimited size, and because the softened state of the amorphous metals used in the method possesses visco-plastic properties, higher plastic deformations can be attained during consolidation as well as during expansion.

A powder core includes a compact including a soft magnetic powder, and an outer coating of the compact. The outer coating contains polyethersulfone. An electric or electronic component including the powder core, and an electric or electronic device having the electric or electronic component mounted therein are also provided.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for programming a crystal lattice structure of a nanoparticle. A particle programming apparatus can include an input channel connected a particle sampling system. The particle sampling system can direct freshly milled nanoparticles to the particle programming apparatus if the nanoparticles are determined to be below a threshold size. The particle programming apparatus can include one or more programming devices configured to alter a crystal lattice of the received nanoparticles including an ultrasonic sound generator, a magnetic pulse generator, and a voltage generator. The one or more programming devices applies any of a sound, magnetic pulse, and voltage to the received nanoparticles within a time threshold of receiving the nanoparticles from the mill core.

Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for programming a crystal lattice structure of a nanoparticle. A particle programming apparatus can include an input channel connected a particle sampling system. The particle sampling system can direct freshly milled nanoparticles to the particle programming apparatus if the nanoparticles are determined to be below a threshold size. The particle programming apparatus can include one or more programming devices configured to alter a crystal lattice of the received nanoparticles including an ultrasonic sound generator, a magnetic pulse generator, and a voltage generator. The one or more programming devices applies any of a sound, magnetic pulse, and voltage to the received nanoparticles within a time threshold of receiving the nanoparticles from the mill core.

A method according to one embodiment includes combining an amorphous iron-based alloy and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, boron, gadolinium, nickel phosphorous, yttrium, and alloys thereof to form a mixture, wherein the at least one metal is present in the mixture from about 5 atomic percent (at %) to about 55 at %; and ball milling the mixture at least until an amorphous alloy of the iron-based alloy and the at least one metal is formed. Several amorphous iron-based metal alloys are also presented, including corrosion-resistant amorphous iron-based metal alloys and radiation-shielding amorphous iron-based metal alloys.

Provided is a hydrogen storing alloy represented by the general formula: (RE.sub.1-a-bSm.sub.aMg.sub.b)(Ni.sub.1-c-dAl.sub.cM.sub.d).sub.x (where 0.3<a<0.6; 0<b<0.16; 0.1<cx<0.2; 0dx0.1; 3.2<x<3.5; RE is at least one element selected from the group consisting of a rare earth element other than Sm, and Y, and essentially contains La; and M is Mn and/or Co). Also provided is a hydrogen storing alloy represented by the general formula: (RE.sub.1-a-bSm.sub.aMg.sub.b)(Ni.sub.1-c-dAl.sub.cM.sub.d).sub.x (where 0.1<a<0.25; 0.1<b<0.2; 0.02<cx<0.2; 0dx0.1; 3.6<x<3.7; RE is at least one element selected from the group consisting of a rare earth element other than Sm, and Y, and essentially contains La; and M is Mn and/or Co). Further provided is a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery including a negative electrode containing the hydrogen storing alloy.