Nanothick flakes that are either flat and specularly-reflective in visible light or that have microroughness intentionally controlled to disperse or interfere with visible light. Coatings and inks utilizing such flakes. Method for fabrication of such flakes in partial vacuum includes the repeated multiple times deposition of a release layer over a substrate surface and a flake layer over the release layer to form a multilayer structure further reduced to individual flakes. Reactive metal is passivated inline with the deposition of the flake layer for superior corrosion resistance. Chemically-functional materials are optionally added to the release material to transfer their functionality to the surface of flake layer to create unique functional properties on a flake surface before the multilayer structure is removed from the substrate.

The present invention provides a process for preparing tantalum powders for use in an electrolytic capacitor with high reliability and high specific capacitance, characterized in that the ratio of the average particle size of raw tantalum powders to the average particle size of tantalum flake powders is 0.5-25, preferably 1.5-10, more preferably 2-5. The process of the present invention is simple and has good controllability, the tantalum flake powder obtained has low content of metal impurities, high specific surface area, and after agglomerated, have good flowability and moldability, have high specific capacitance, and when used under high voltage, have low leakage current and high breakdown voltage.

Disclosed herein is a nanoparticle generator, comprising a body defining an internal space, with an electric insulator inserted into the internal space from a side of the body; a heat-insulating tube, internally inserted into the body, wherein the electric insulator and a local heating unit which is mounted on the electric insulator are internally inserted into the heat-insulating tube along a central axis thereof; a first inlet, provided at a side of the body, for introducing external air into the heat-insulating tube; a second inlet, provided at a side of the body, for introducing external air between the heat-insulating tube and the body; and an outlet, provided at a side of the body, for evacuating the air introduced through the heat-insulating tube into the body.

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, y.-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, y.-Fe and magnesium nitride.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for creating and consolidating fragments and a useable structure formed from said consolidated fragments. The method includes swaging a metal powder into a first consolidated structure. The consolidated structure is ground to form particles and the particles are sifted to select those with a predetermined diameter. The particles having the predetermined diameter can then be swaged into a second consolidated structure. The resultant second consolidated structure is therefore configured to fragment controllably. The second consolidated structure can also be formed from reactive metal laminates such that the structure also has chemical energy.

Disclosed is a method for producing a molded blank from metal powder using a gel-casting process, wherein a starting mixture for the gel-based process is made by mixing the metal powder with a liquid and a binder, the starting mixture being thoroughly mixed in a vacuum.

To provide a flaky silver powder having a tapped density of from 0.8 g/mL to 1.9 g/mL, and a cumulative 50th percentile particle diameter (D.sub.50) of from 2 m to 7 m, where the cumulative 50th percentile particle diameter (D.sub.50) is measured by laser diffraction or laser scattering particle size analysis.

To provide a flaky silver powder having a tapped density of from 0.8 g/mL to 1.9 g/mL, and a cumulative 50th percentile particle diameter (D.sub.50) of from 2 m to 7 m, where the cumulative 50th percentile particle diameter (D.sub.50) is measured by laser diffraction or laser scattering particle size analysis.

A method for fabrication of an anisotropic magnet comprises placing magnet alloy feedstock particles in a deformable metallic container and thermomechanically working the filled container in a manner to elongate the filled container and reduce its cross-sectional area to consolidate the magnet alloy particles to an elongated shape and impart a preferential grain texture to the consolidated, elongated shape. The consolidated, elongated shape is machined to a near-final magnet shape that has a smaller dimension such as magnet length and that includes a metallic tubular skin thereon.