The invention relates to a stabilized lithium metal powder and to a method for producing the same, the stabilized, pure lithium metal powder having been passivated in an organic inert solvent under dispersal conditions with fatty acids or fatty acid esters according to the general formula (I) R—COOR′, in which R stands for C.sub.10-C.sub.29 groups and R′ for H or C.sub.1-C.sub.8 groups.

A composite material of Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays in zeolite and its fabrication methods are provided. The zeolite can be prepared by a hydrothermal method and the Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays can be prepared by using zeolite as a template. The zeolite can have porous structures with an average pore size of 0.74 nm and the plurality of nanowires can have an average diameter smaller than 1 nm and can be dispersed on internal or external surfaces of the porous structures. The Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays can be made of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), zinc (Zn), or carbon (C). A composite material of the Angstrom-scale aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), or zinc (Zn) nanowire arrays in zeolite can exhibit characteristics of one-dimensional (1D) superconductor.

A composite material of Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays in zeolite and its fabrication methods are provided. The zeolite can be prepared by a hydrothermal method and the Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays can be prepared by using zeolite as a template. The zeolite can have porous structures with an average pore size of 0.74 nm and the plurality of nanowires can have an average diameter smaller than 1 nm and can be dispersed on internal or external surfaces of the porous structures. The Angstrom-scale nanowire arrays can be made of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), zinc (Zn), or carbon (C). A composite material of the Angstrom-scale aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), or zinc (Zn) nanowire arrays in zeolite can exhibit characteristics of one-dimensional (1D) superconductor.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a container containing a metal and/or ferromagnetic solid and abrasive particles in a static magnetic field; where the container is surrounded by an induction coil; activating the induction coil with an electrical current, to heat up the metallic or ferromagnetic solid to form a fluid; generating sonic energy to produce acoustic cavitation and abrasion between the abrasive particles and the container; and producing nanoparticles that comprise elements from the container, the metal and/or the ferromagnetic solid and the abrasive particles. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising first metal or a first ceramic; and particles comprising carbides and/or nitrides dispersed therein. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising chromium carbide, iron carbide, nickel carbide, γ-Fe and magnesium nitride.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a container containing a metal and/or ferromagnetic solid and abrasive particles in a static magnetic field; where the container is surrounded by an induction coil; activating the induction coil with an electrical current, to heat up the metallic or ferromagnetic solid to form a fluid; generating sonic energy to produce acoustic cavitation and abrasion between the abrasive particles and the container; and producing nanoparticles that comprise elements from the container, the metal and/or the ferromagnetic solid and the abrasive particles. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising first metal or a first ceramic; and particles comprising carbides and/or nitrides dispersed therein. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising chromium carbide, iron carbide, nickel carbide, γ-Fe and magnesium nitride.

A method for obtaining a lead-free or low lead content brass billet subjects a mixture of lead-free or low lead content brass chips and graphite powder to extrusion, either direct or inverted. The method obtains lead-free or low lead content brass billets.

A method for obtaining a lead-free or low lead content brass billet subjects a mixture of lead-free or low lead content brass chips and graphite powder to extrusion, either direct or inverted. The method obtains lead-free or low lead content brass billets.

A method for synthesizing a thermally conductive and stretchable elastomer composite comprises mixing liquid metal and soft material (e.g., elastomer) in a centrifugal or industrial shear mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft elastomer. Liquid metal-embedded elastomers, or “LMEEs,” formed in this manner dramatically increase the fracture energy of soft materials up to 50 times over an unfilled polymer. This extreme toughening is achieved by means of (i) increasing energy dissipation, (ii) adaptive crack movement, and (iii) effective elimination of the crack tip. Such properties arise from the deformability and dynamic rearrangement of the LM inclusions during loading, providing a new mechanism to not only prevent crack initiation, but also resist the propagation of existing tears for ultra-tough, highly functional soft materials.

A droplet comprises a core including an alloy comprising a majority of a first metallic element and a minority of a second element, wherein the core is in a liquid state below a solidus temperature of the alloy. A shell is arranged to enclose the core and includes an exterior surface comprising a majority of the second element and a minority of the first metallic element, wherein the shell is in a solid state below the solidus temperature of the alloy. The alloy can comprise a solder material that can be used to form solder connections below a solidus temperature of the alloy.

A droplet comprises a core including an alloy comprising a majority of a first metallic element and a minority of a second element, wherein the core is in a liquid state below a solidus temperature of the alloy. A shell is arranged to enclose the core and includes an exterior surface comprising a majority of the second element and a minority of the first metallic element, wherein the shell is in a solid state below the solidus temperature of the alloy. The alloy can comprise a solder material that can be used to form solder connections below a solidus temperature of the alloy.