The present invention refers to a Raman active composite material comprising a metal particle; a coating layer of a Raman active molecule bound to the metal particle; and an encapsulating layer of an amphiphilic polymer bound to the metal particle. The present invention also refers to methods of manufacturing a Raman active composite material described herein and their uses.

The present invention refers to a Raman active composite material comprising a metal particle; a coating layer of a Raman active molecule bound to the metal particle; and an encapsulating layer of an amphiphilic polymer bound to the metal particle. The present invention also refers to methods of manufacturing a Raman active composite material described herein and their uses.

The present invention provides a preparation method for gold nanoparticles based on functionalized ionic liquid. The method comprises synthesizing a functionalized ionic liquid, 3-(12-bromo-dodecyl)-1-(3-pyrrole propyl)-imidazole bromide, as a stabilizer for synthesizing gold nanoparticles, adjusting the concentration of the ionic liquid and the dosage of the reducing agent, thereby successfully preparing the icosahedral gold nanoparticles, and characterizing the morphology thereof by TEM, XRD and SEM. In the present invention, the method employed for preparing the stabilizer is simple, non-toxic, harmless and pollution-free, moreover the preparation of gold nanoparticles by aqueous phase has the advantages of mild conditions, short reaction time, simple operation, green and pollution-free, and belongs to the environment-friendly preparation.

A method for producing a metal powder includes maintaining molten reducing metal in a sealed reaction vessel that is free of added oxygen and water, establishing a vortex in the molten reducing metal, introducing a metal halide into the vortex so that the molten reducing metal is in a stoichiometric excess to the metal halide, thereby producing metal particles and salt, removing unreacted reducing metal, removing the salt, and recovering the metal powder. The molten reducing metal can be a Group I metal, a Group II metal, or aluminum.

A production method of particulate materials, through centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The method is suitable for obtaining fine spherical powders with exceptional morphological quality and extremely low content, or even absence of non-spherical-shape particles and internal voids. A appropriate cost effective method for industrial scale production of metal, alloy, intermetallic, metal matrix composite or metal like material powders in large batches is also disclosed. The atomization technique can be extended to other than the centrifugal atomization with rotating element techniques.

A metal powder manufacturing apparatus for a metal 3-dimensional (3D) printer includes a driving unit which generates a rotational force, a metal beam connected to the driving unit to receive the rotational force from the driving unit and having one end disposed in a vacuum chamber, and a shaft support which supports an outer circumference of the metal beam using a magnetic force for relative movement of the metal beam in a lengthwise direction of the metal beam, wherein the shaft support is disposed such that an inner side is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the outer circumference of the metal beam, and can support the metal beam at an adjusted relative distance from the metal beam.

A metal powder manufacturing apparatus for a metal 3-dimensional (3D) printer includes a driving unit which generates a rotational force, a metal beam connected to the driving unit to receive the rotational force from the driving unit and having one end disposed in a vacuum chamber, and a shaft support which supports an outer circumference of the metal beam using a magnetic force for relative movement of the metal beam in a lengthwise direction of the metal beam, wherein the shaft support is disposed such that an inner side is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the outer circumference of the metal beam, and can support the metal beam at an adjusted relative distance from the metal beam.

A rolling bearing providing a first ring and a second ring in relative rotation one each other, and at least one row of rolling elements being arranged between the said rings. At least one the rings is made by metal injection molding process including the successive steps of mixing a metal powder with a thermoplastic binder, forming a part by injection of the mixed powder in a closed die, debinding such a formed part in a furnace, sintering to densify the part, and quenching to set a ring hardness, to improve wear resistance and fatigue life.

A rolling bearing providing a first ring and a second ring in relative rotation one each other, and at least one row of rolling elements being arranged between the said rings. At least one the rings is made by metal injection molding process including the successive steps of mixing a metal powder with a thermoplastic binder, forming a part by injection of the mixed powder in a closed die, debinding such a formed part in a furnace, sintering to densify the part, and quenching to set a ring hardness, to improve wear resistance and fatigue life.

An apparatus is for forming powder, and includes an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto a workpiece, the energy beam being configured to melt the workpiece, at least in part, to form at least one pool of molten material on the workpiece. The apparatus is configured to exert a force on the workpiece causing at least a bead of molten material to be ejected from the pool and solidify to form a particle of powder.