A regenerator cell for regenerating metallic particles is provided. The regenerator cell includes: a housing for containing a quantity of electrolyte; an anode; a cathode; a cavity at least partially defined by the housing, the cathode and the anode; an inlet port for supplying electrolyte to the cell, the inlet port in fluid communication with the cavity; and an outlet port for expelling electrolyte, particles and/or gas from the cell, the outlet port in fluid communication with the cavity.

Preparing a dendritic tag includes forming a liquid composition including dendrites, separating the dendrites from the liquid composition, and disposing the dendrites on a substrate. In some cases, the composition is applied to a substrate and the liquid is evaporated to yield at least one dendrite in direct contact with the substrate. A labeled item includes an item and a dendritic tag coupled to the item, such that the item can be identified or authenticated based on a property of the dendritic tag.

Preparing a dendritic tag includes forming a liquid composition including dendrites, separating the dendrites from the liquid composition, and disposing the dendrites on a substrate. In some cases, the composition is applied to a substrate and the liquid is evaporated to yield at least one dendrite in direct contact with the substrate. A labeled item includes an item and a dendritic tag coupled to the item, such that the item can be identified or authenticated based on a property of the dendritic tag.

The invention relates to a method for recovery of Nd.sub.2Fe.sub.14B grains from bulk sintered Nd—Fe—B magnets and/or magnet scraps. In this method the Nd—Fe—B magnets (1) and/or magnet scraps are anodically oxidized using a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte (5), said anodic oxidation releasing the Nd.sub.2Fe.sub.14B grains (6) in said Nd—Fe—B magnets (1) and/or magnet scraps. The released Nd.sub.2Fe.sub.14B grains (6) are collected during and/or after said anodic oxidation. The proposed method allows a more environmental friendly and cost-effective way for recycling EOL Nd—Fe—B magnets/Nd—Fe—B magnet scraps.

During the electrodeposition and electrorefining processes of metals, the electrodes undergo severe corrosion effects. A protective device and included system are proposed, wherein the electrode protective device solves the problem, given that its design and material preferably fireproof and anticorrosive, protect the electrodes. The design encompasses the entire exterior shape of the electrode support bar including the straight parts of the electrode plate that arise from the area of the support bars on both sides.

A method for generating a metallic particle slurry in a regenerator, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating metallic particles on a surface of a cathode by applying a forward current for a forward current period; (b) displacing the metallic particles from the surface of the cathode by applying a displacement force for a displacement period; (c) dissolving residual metallic particles by applying a reverse current for a reverse current period; (d) providing a plurality of regenerator cells; and (e) establishing an airlock by isolating aqueous electrolyte between cavities of regenerator cells.

A method for generating a metallic particle slurry in a regenerator, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating metallic particles on a surface of a cathode by applying a forward current for a forward current period; (b) displacing the metallic particles from the surface of the cathode by applying a displacement force for a displacement period; (c) dissolving residual metallic particles by applying a reverse current for a reverse current period; (d) providing a plurality of regenerator cells; and (e) establishing an airlock by isolating aqueous electrolyte between cavities of regenerator cells.

A silver powder containing dendrite silver particles is provided. The dendrite silver particles are in a dendrite shape having one trunk and a plurality of branches branching from the trunk. The thickness of the trunk of the dendrite silver particles is from 10 to 280 nm. The number of the branches per length of the trunk is from 6 to 30 branches/.Math.m. The percentage by number of the dendrite silver particles in the whole of silver particles is 50 N% or more. This silver powder is produced by reducing silver ions through electrolysis of an electrolyte solution containing silver ions and hydantoin or a derivative thereof.

There is provided a more versatile technique that is useful for enhancing the sintering delay property of a metal powder. A metal powder surface-treated with at least one coupling agent comprising Si, Ti, Al or Zr, wherein a total adhesion amount of Si, Ti, Al and Zr is 200 to 10,000 μg with respect to 1 g of the surface-treated metal powder, wherein a 1% by mass aqueous solution of the coupling agent indicates a pH of 7 or less, and wherein a sintering starting temperature is 500° C. or higher.

There is provided a more versatile technique that is useful for enhancing the sintering delay property of a metal powder. A metal powder surface-treated with at least one coupling agent comprising Si, Ti, Al or Zr, wherein a total adhesion amount of Si, Ti, Al and Zr is 200 to 10,000 μg with respect to 1 g of the surface-treated metal powder, wherein a 1% by mass aqueous solution of the coupling agent indicates a pH of 7 or less, and wherein a sintering starting temperature is 500° C. or higher.