A wire explosion assembly configured to form nanoparticles by exploding at least a segment of an electrically conductive wire. The wire explosion assembly includes a spool supporting the electrically conductive wire, a vessel defining a wire explosion chamber, means in the wire explosion chamber for pulling the electrically conductive wire off of the spool and applying tension on the segment of the electrically conductive wire, and a power source for delivering an electrical current to the segment of the electrically conductive wire. The electrical current is configured to explode the segment of the electrically conductive wire into the nanoparticles.

A wire explosion assembly configured to form nanoparticles by exploding at least a segment of an electrically conductive wire. The wire explosion assembly includes a spool supporting the electrically conductive wire, a vessel defining a wire explosion chamber, means in the wire explosion chamber for pulling the electrically conductive wire off of the spool and applying tension on the segment of the electrically conductive wire, and a power source for delivering an electrical current to the segment of the electrically conductive wire. The electrical current is configured to explode the segment of the electrically conductive wire into the nanoparticles.

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

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.

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

The present invention belongs to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and discloses a 4D printing method capable of in-situ regulating functional properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys and the application thereof. The method comprises the following steps: subjecting NiTi alloy bars to atomization milling to obtain NiTi alloy powder with a particle size of 15-53 μm, placing the NiTi alloy powder in a discharge plasma assisted ball mill for discharge treatment to promote the activation of powder activity, then adding nano-sized Ni powder with a particle size of 100-800 nm to obtain mixed powder, then continuing the discharge treatment to realize the metallurgical bonding between the NiTi alloy powder and the nano-sized Ni powder to obtain the modified powder, and finally using the additive manufacturing technology to prepare and form the modified powder into a functionalized NiTi alloy. The present invention achieves the metallurgical bonding between the nano-sized Ni powder and the large-sized spherical NiTi alloy powder by adding the nano-sized Ni powder in the process of discharge treatment, which is conducive to preparing a bulk alloy with uniform composition, structure and properties and the parts made therewith.

The present invention belongs to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and discloses a 4D printing method capable of in-situ regulating functional properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys and the application thereof. The method comprises the following steps: subjecting NiTi alloy bars to atomization milling to obtain NiTi alloy powder with a particle size of 15-53 μm, placing the NiTi alloy powder in a discharge plasma assisted ball mill for discharge treatment to promote the activation of powder activity, then adding nano-sized Ni powder with a particle size of 100-800 nm to obtain mixed powder, then continuing the discharge treatment to realize the metallurgical bonding between the NiTi alloy powder and the nano-sized Ni powder to obtain the modified powder, and finally using the additive manufacturing technology to prepare and form the modified powder into a functionalized NiTi alloy. The present invention achieves the metallurgical bonding between the nano-sized Ni powder and the large-sized spherical NiTi alloy powder by adding the nano-sized Ni powder in the process of discharge treatment, which is conducive to preparing a bulk alloy with uniform composition, structure and properties and the parts made therewith.

A plasma atomization metal powder manufacturing process includes providing a heated metal source and contacting the heated metal source with the plasma of at least one plasma source under conditions effective for causing atomization of the heated metal source. The atomization may be carried out using a gas to metal ratio of less than about 20, thereby obtaining a raw metal powder having a 0-106 μm particle size distribution yield of at least 80%. The process may further include aligning the heated metal source with the plasma of at least one plasma source. An atomizing system may include an alignment system positioned upstream of the plasma source and adapted to adjust an orientation of the metal source relative to the at least one plasma source.