The disclosed method and related systems and devices relate to producing a pigment from microbial biomass. The pigment may be an engineered black pigment. The method may include a thermal processing step where the microbial biomass is charred. The biomass in the charred and pre-charred state can be washed chemically and/or mechanically. In another step the biomass is ground via a grinding of milling process. The grinding/milling may occur at any various points in the process. In some embodiments the biomass has a particle size between 0.01 and 100 microns.

To provide a metal particle composition having excellent oxidation resistance, which does not require a transition metal catalyst and can be applied to existing metal particles, a method for producing the metal particle composition, and a paste. The metal particle composition contains, with respect to 100 parts by mass of metal particles, 0.1 to 5 parts by mass of a compound (A) having a structure represented by the following general formula (I):

##STR00001## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group.

To provide a metal particle composition having excellent oxidation resistance, which does not require a transition metal catalyst and can be applied to existing metal particles, a method for producing the metal particle composition, and a paste. The metal particle composition contains, with respect to 100 parts by mass of metal particles, 0.1 to 5 parts by mass of a compound (A) having a structure represented by the following general formula (I):

##STR00001## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group.

The invention relates to an encapsulated metal particle comprising a core encapsulated in a shell, wherein the core comprises a metallic substance, and wherein the shell comprises a insulating substance. The invention also relates to a polymer composition comprising a plurality of the encapsulated metal particles, a mixture comprising a plurality of encapsulated metal particles and plurality of polymer particles, and the use of the encapsulated metal particle as an additive for increasing the thermal conductivity and/or radio frequency (RF) conductivity of a matrix substance such as an adhesive.

A method is disclosed for producing flakes of a first material, the method comprising: a) supporting two supply cylinders of the first material and a fatiguing rod assembly, that includes at least one textured fatiguing rod, so that each fatiguing rod is sandwiched between the two cylinders, each fatiguing rod having a diameter smaller than an initial diameter of the two supply cylinders and being made of a second harder material; b) urging the surfaces of the two supply cylinders into contact with each fatiguing rod; and c) causing the supply cylinders and the fatiguing rod(s) to rotate while making rolling line contact with one another; wherein the supply cylinders and each fatiguing rod are urged against one another with sufficiently high contact pressure to modify the surface of the supply cylinders by fatigue and result in separation of flakes from the surfaces of the cylinders.

Provided is an active energy ray curable-type ink comprising: scale-like metal particles; and polymerizable compounds, wherein the scale-like metal particles contain indium and have an average equivalent circle diameter of 50 nm to 1,000 nm and an average aspect ratio, which is a ratio of the average equivalent circle diameter to an average thickness, of 5 to 100.

Provided is an active energy ray curable-type ink comprising: scale-like metal particles; and polymerizable compounds, wherein the scale-like metal particles contain indium and have an average equivalent circle diameter of 50 nm to 1,000 nm and an average aspect ratio, which is a ratio of the average equivalent circle diameter to an average thickness, of 5 to 100.

A colored special effect ink includes a special effect pigment and a colored pigment. The colored pigment is more hydrophobic than the special effect pigment, and the colored pigment is miscible in a solvent chosen from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, and water. The colored pigment optionally has a surface energy of less than 35 dynes/cm. A method for preparing the colored special effect ink and treating the colored pigment to form the colored special effect ink are also described.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a composite pigment which can be dispersed and made into paint in a manner that saves labor compared with conventional flat emulsion paints, and which can achieve concealing properties and low glossiness (a luster reduction effect) without separately adding a matting agent. This composite pigment contains an inorganic compound and/or an organic compound, and a fixed extender pigment.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a composite pigment which can be dispersed and made into paint in a manner that saves labor compared with conventional flat emulsion paints, and which can achieve concealing properties and low glossiness (a luster reduction effect) without separately adding a matting agent. This composite pigment contains an inorganic compound and/or an organic compound, and a fixed extender pigment.