Method of preparing metal surfaces

A method of preparing an ultra-flat metal surface involves providing a layer of a crystalline metallic material on an ultra-flat substrate surface that is relatively harder than the metallic material layer and then impinging the metallic material layer with incoming metal atoms that are deposited as an additive crystalline layer thereon, wherein at least a lattice constant of the additive crystalline layer is different enough from a lattice constant of the crystalline metallic material layer resulting in a reduction of roughness of the surface of the metallic material layer adjacent to the substrate surface. The metallic material layer having an ultra-flat surface then is separated by template stripping or other technique from the substrate surface for further use of the ultra-flat surface. 1. A method of preparing an ultra-flat metal surface , comprising:providing a layer of a metallic material on an ultra-flat substrate surface wherein the substrate is relatively harder than the metallic material layer;impinging the metallic material layer residing on the substrate surface with incoming metall/metalloid atoms including depositing the incoming metallic atoms as an additive layer having at least a reference or measured lattice constant different enough from a reference or measured lattice constant of the metallic material layer that results in reduced surface roughness of the surface of the metallic material layer adjacent to the substrate surface; and separating the metallic material layer from the substrate surface.2. The method of wherein the lattice constant mismatch % between the metallic atoms of the additive layer and the metallic atoms of the metallic material layer is greater than about 0.1% to achieve an average RMS surface roughness of less than 0.45 nm.3. The method of wherein said average surface roughness is the range of about 0.18 nm to about 0.3 nm RMS.4. The method of wherein the deposited additive layer has a reference or measured lattice constant ...

CORE-SHELL MULTI-LAYER PARTICLES

According to various aspects and embodiments, core-shell particles and methods of making the same are disclosed. The core-shell particles may include a liquid metal core, at least one layer of inorganic material surrounding the liquid metal core, and at least one layer of organic material attached to the at least one layer of inorganic material. 1. A core-shell particle , comprising:a liquid metal core;at least one layer of inorganic material surrounding the liquid metal core; andat least one layer of organic material attached to the at least one layer of inorganic material.2. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the liquid metal core is a metal alloy.3. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the liquid metal core has a melting point temperature less than or equal to about 40° C.4. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the liquid metal core comprises gallium.5. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least on layer of inorganic material is a metal oxide claim 1 , a metal sub-oxide claim 1 , or a combination of both.6. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of inorganic material is less than 1 nm in thickness.7. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of inorganic material is self-passivating.8. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of organic material is derived from a carboxylic acid.9. The core-shell particle of claim 8 , wherein the carboxylic acid is acetic acid.10. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the core-shell particle has a viscosity in a range of from about 0.89 cP to about 1.64 cP.11. The core-shell particle of claim 1 , wherein the core-shell particle is at least one of a micro- and nano-sized particle.12. A method for producing a core-shell particle claim 1 , comprising:combining a liquid metal, at least one carrier fluid, and at least one organic material in the presence of an oxidizer to form a solution;applying mixing ...

MELT-AND-MOLD FABRICATION (MnM FAB) OF RECONFIGURABLE DEVICES

A low-melting material, such as Field's metal or related alloy, may be molded into a device which can then be reconfigured to fabricate another device. Related methods and kits are also disclosed for various humanitarian, military, and industrial applications. 1. A method of fabricating a device , comprising:molding a material to form a first device; andreconfiguring the first device to form a second device.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a low melting point material.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the material comprises Field's metal.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices is a diagnostic device.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices is a microfluidic device claim 4 , an optical grating claim 4 , or a well plate.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein reconfiguring the first device involves a melt-and-mold (MnM) fabrication technique.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using one of the first and second devices to perform a diagnostic test.8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising reporting data collected from the diagnostic test.9. A diagnostic kit claim 7 , comprising:a source of a reconfigurable material;at least one mold; andinstructions for using the reconfigurable material and the at least one mold to form at least one reconfigurable device.10. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the instructions relate to a melt-and-mold (MnM) fabrication technique.11. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the reconfigurable material comprises Field's metal.12. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the at least one mold is made of plastic claim 9 , rubber claim 9 , metal claim 9 , paper claim 9 , wax claim 9 , wood claim 9 , stone claim 9 , or glass.13. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the at least one reconfigurable device is a diagnostic device.14. The kit of claim 13 , wherein the at least one reconfigurable device is a microfluidic device claim 13 , an optical grating claim 13 , or a ...

HIGH ASPECT RATIO NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHODS OF PREPARATION

Metal nanomaterials and nano structures may be formed via shearing force in the presence of a reactant.

Undercooled liquid metallic droplets having a protective shell

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.

Paper-Based Reference Electrode And Potentiometric Ion Sensing

Microfluidic, electrochemical devices are described. The microfluidic, electrochemical device may include a sample zone on a first porous, hydrophilic layer, a reference zone and a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel provides for predominantly diffusive fluid communication between the sample zone and the reference zone; (therefore realizing a similar function of a reference electrode), a fluid-impermeable material that defines each of the sample zone, reference zone and microfluidic channel, a first electrode in fluid communication with the sample zone and a second electrode in fluid communication with the reference zone. Also described are microfluidic, electrochemical devices containing an ion-selective membrane for potentiometric ion sensing. 1. A microfluidic , electrochemical device comprisinga first porous, hydrophilic layer comprising a sample zone;a hydrophilic region comprising a reference zone; anda microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel provides for predominantly diffusive fluid communication between the sample zone and the reference zone;a fluid-impermeable material that defines each of the sample zone, reference zone and microfluidic channel;a first electrode in fluid communication with the sample zone; anda second electrode in fluid communication with the reference zone.2. The microfluidic claim 1 , electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is a reference electrode.3. The microfluidic claim 2 , electrochemical device of claim 2 , wherein the reference electrode is a Ag/AgCl electrode.4. The microfluidic claim 1 , electrochemical device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are stencil printed on said hydrophilic layer.5. The microfluidic claim 1 , electrochemical device of claim 1 , further comprising a third electrode in fluid communication with the sample zone.6. The microfluidic claim 5 , electrochemical device of claim 5 , wherein the first and third electrodes are carbon ...

Coated irregular surfaces

Coated irregular surfaces, replicas made therefrom, and methods of making the same. A particle-coated substrate includes a coating including undercooled liquid metallic particles. The particles include a solid shell comprising a metal oxide, and a liquid metallic core that is below the melting point of the liquid metallic core. The particle-coated substrate also includes a substrate including an irregular surface, wherein the coating is on the irregular surface.

Stable undercooled metallic particles for engineering at ambient conditions

Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

SOLID DRY-TYPE LUBRICANT

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper. 1. A lubricant for use in a hopper fed system , comprising:a hydrophilic fiber having a width to length aspect ratio of at least one to greater than one; anda plurality of hydrophobic particles respectively disposed on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties;wherein the fiber operably absorbs a liquid, and releases the absorbed liquid to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, resulting in the liquid being disposed on the surface of the fiber thereby operably providing lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.2. The lubricant of claim 1 , the fiber comprising a biodegradable polymer claim 1 , comprising one or more of: cellulose claim 1 , starch claim 1 , lignin claim 1 , collagen claim 1 , silk claim 1 , protein claim 1 , polyglycolic acid (PGA) claim 1 , polylactic acid (PLA) claim 1 , polycaprolactone (PCL) claim 1 , polydioxanone (PDS) claim 1 , and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).3. The lubricant of claim 1 , the fiber comprising one or more of: hydroxyl groups disposed on the surface ...

Mask-free photolithography using metastable undercooled metal particles

Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Microfluidic Devices Formed From Hydrophobic Paper

Microfluidic devices fabricated from paper that has been covalently modified to increase its hydrophobicity, as well as methods of making and using thereof are provided herein. The devices are typically small, portable, flexible, and both easy and inexpensive to fabricate. Microfluidic devices contain a network of microfluidic components, including microfluidic channels, microfluidic chambers, microwells, or combinations thereof, designed to carry, store, mix, react, and/or analyze liquid samples. The microfluidic channels may be open channels, closed channels, or combinations thereof. The microfluidic devices may be used to detect and/or quantify an analyte, such as a small molecules, proteins, lipids polysaccharides, nucleic acids, prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, particles, viruses, metal ions, and combinations thereof. 1. An open channel microfluidic device comprising:a device having a bottom and two side walls that define an open channel for receiving fluid, wherein the bottom and side walls of the open channel are formed from a hydrophobic cellulosic substrate, wherein the cellulosic substrate has been covalently modified to increase its hydrophobicity.2. A closed channel microfluidic device comprising:a closed channel formed from a porous hydrophilic substrate, said closed channel defining a fluid flow path, wherein at least one face of the closed channel is bounded by a hydrophobic cellulosic substrate that has been covalently modified to increase its hydrophobicity, and wherein the porous hydrophilic substrate and the hydrophobic cellulosic substrate are separate layers of substrate material which are abutted to one another.3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the covalent modification is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon and perfluorocarbon moieties.4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper claim 1 , cellulose derivatives claim 1 , woven cellulosic materials claim 1 , and ...

Levitation of Materials in Paramagnetic Ionic Liquids

This present disclosure describes the utility of paramagnetic ionic liquids for density-based measurements using magnetic levitation (MagLev), The physical properties of paramagnetic ionic liquids, including density, magnetic susceptibility, glass transition temperature, melting point, thermal decomposition temperature, viscosity, and hydrophobicity can be tuned by altering the cation or anion. 1. A method for levitating a diamagnetic material comprising:providing a levitating medium comprising a paramagnetic ionic liquid; andproviding a diamagnetic material in the levitating medium;applying a magnetic field to the levitating medium and the material; anddetermining the levitation height of the material.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitating medium has a vapor pressure that is about zero at room temperature.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the density of the levitating medium is in the range of 0.65-2.3 g mL.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitating medium is free of non-ionic liquid solvent.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitating medium further comprises a diamagnetic ionic liquid.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitation height is correlated to density.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitating medium is a liquid below 0° C.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the levitating medium is a liquid above 100° C.9. A method of measuring the density of a liquid or a solid claim 1 , comprising:providing a levitating medium comprising a paramagnetic ionic liquid;introducing a solid or a solvent-immiscible liquid into the levitating medium;applying a magnetic field having a magnetic gradient to the levitating medium and allowing the solid or liquid to levitate at a position in the levitating medium relative to the magnetic field; andcorrelating the levitation height with density.10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the levitating medium is a liquid below 0° C.11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the levitating medium is a liquid ...

MEMS Force Sensors Fabricated Using Paper Substrates

MEMS devices fabricated using inexpensive substrate materials such as paper or fabric, are provided. Using paper as a substrate, low cost, simple to prepare, lightweight, disposable piezoresistive sensors, including accelerometers are prepared. Signal-processing circuitry can also be patterned on the substrate material. 1. A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device comprising a flexible insulating paper or fabric substrate material.2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a sensor.3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a piezoresistive element and/or conductive inks.4. The device of claim 3 , further comprising an integrated signal-processing circuit.5. The device of wherein the device is a three dimensional micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device comprising a flexible insulating paper or fabric substrate material.6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the device contains three sensors positioned orthogonally.7. The device of wherein the device is a two dimensional sensors.8. The device of folded claim 7 , creased claim 7 , or pleated to increase rigidity9. The device of comprising a substrate material selected from the group consisting of paper claim 1 , fabric claim 1 , and plastic film overlaid on a paper substrate.10. The device of wherein the substrate material is paper which has been covalently or non-covalently modified to increase its hydrophobicity.11. The device of made by printing or screening of circuitry onto the substrate using piezoresistive and/or conductive inks claim 1 , which can then be attached to wires or other means of transmitting a signal.12. The device of wherein the device is a force sensor comprising an accelerometer which quantifies acceleration claim 1 , wherein a proof mass is incorporated into the deflectable region of the substrate material claim 1 , wherein a portion of the deflectable region functions as a proof mass claim 1 , or wherein a proof mass is affixed to the deflectable region claim 1 , wherein ...

Stable undercooled metallic particles for engineering at ambient conditions

Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

Direct printing and writing using undercooled metallic core-shell particles

A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.

Self-strengthening polymer composites

A composite material is provided including a polymer matrix and undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles disposed in the matrix, wherein the particles each have an outer shell and a liquid metallic material as a core contained within the outer shell. The outer shell is frangible such that the liquid metallic material is released from at least some of the particles in response to a mechanical load applied to the composite and solidifies in-situ in the polymer matrix. As a result, the composite material can be self-strengthening and self-healing and can be reconfigurable in shape at ambient temperature. 1. A composite material , comprising a polymer matrix and undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles disposed in the matrix , said particles each having an outer shell and a liquid metallic material as a core contained within the outer shell , which is frangible such that the liquid metallic material is released from at least some of the particles in response to a stimulus applied to the composite and phase-changes in-situ in the polymer matrix.2. The composite material of wherein the released liquid metallic material is selected to solidify in-situ in the polymer matrix.3. The composite material of wherein at least some of the particles are fused together by inter-particle solidification of the released liquid metallic material after the stimulus is applied.4. The composite material of wherein the polymer comprises a single polymer or a copolymer.5. The composite material of wherein the outer shell comprises an oxide shell.6. The composite material of wherein the outer shell is functionalized with an organic moiety.7. The composite of which is self-healing in response to a stimulus that forms a crack in the composite wherein said self-healing is achieved as a result of said liquid metallic material filling said crack and solidifying there.8. The composite of which has a changed shape after application of the stimulus claim 1 , which changed shape is ...

Self-strengthening polymer composites

A composite material is provided including an elastomeric polymer matrix and undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles disposed in the matrix, wherein the particles each have an outer shell and a liquid metallic material as a core contained within the outer shell. The outer shell is frangible such that the liquid metallic material is released from at least some of the particles in response to a mechanical load applied to the composite and solidifies in-situ in the polymer matrix. As a result, the composite material can be self-strengthening and self-healing and can be reconfigurable in shape at ambient temperature.

FABRICATION OF MICRO- AND NANO-PARTICLE COATED MATERIALS

According to various aspects and embodiments, materials having a modified surface to increase hydrophobicity and methods of making the same are disclosed. In accordance with one or more aspects, a method of enhancing a surface of a substrate may comprise bonding silane monomers onto the surface of the substrate, and polymerizing the silane monomers to form surface-attached hydrophobic particles comprising silane polymers. 1. A method of enhancing a surface of a substrate , the method comprising:bonding silane monomers onto the surface of the substrate; andpolymerizing the silane monomers to form surface-attached hydrophobic particles comprising silane polymers.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is hydrophilic.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the substrate is a porous material.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the substrate is cellulose.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is silicon.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein polymerizing the silane monomers comprises controlling an amount of water present on or in the substrate.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein polymerizing the silane monomers comprises controlling a rate of crosslinking of silane polymers.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a pre-patterned microfibril network and bonding occurs at predetermined positions on the pre-patterned microfibril network.9. The method of claim 1 , wherein bonding comprises performing chemical vapor deposition.10. The method of claim 9 , wherein chemical vapor deposition is performed at or below atmospheric pressure.11. The method of claim 10 , wherein chemical vapor deposition is performed at a predetermined temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 100° C. to optimize an evaporation rate and reaction rate during bonding.12. The method of claim 1 , wherein bonding comprises controlling one or more of the parameters of temperature and reaction time.13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a surface ...

Metal oxide materials made using self-assembled coordination polymers

A method for making organo-metal material involves providing a metal ion source in a medium that removes metal ions from the source and forms 1D metal-containing coordination polymers that self-assemble and precipitate as at least one of a 2D and 3D coordination polymer material that can be thermally treated to produce a porous metal oxide material.

MICRO- AND NANO-PARTICLES WITH VARIABLE SURFACE MORPHOLOGIES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME

According to various aspects and embodiments, multilayer particles having an irregular surface architecture and methods of making the same are disclosed.

Interstitial control during additive manufacturing

Various embodiments relate to additive manufacturing in which the Langmuir equation can be used to predict composition in the processing. This equation can be integrated into a model with knowledge of elemental solubility and relative reactivity of relevant elements in the additive manufacturing processing. Use of thermodynamic principles can be programmed into a finite element modeling strategy integrating the Langmuir equation, coupling the thermal fields of additive manufacturing and the surrounding environments with the rules and/or equations to predict solute pickup and/or solute loss. The modeling strategy can be implemented to identify the elements in relative concentrations to be used in the additive manufacturing processing to provide for the controlled loss of certain elements to prevent absorption of unwanted elements into molten material, formed by additive manufacturing, from the atmosphere around the molten material. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Mechano-chemical de-mixing of metal alloys and mixed materials

A physical and chemical method is provided for de-mixing (e.g. extracting, separating, purifying and/or enriching) the metal constituents of an alloy or mixed material into different droplet or solid particle products that are highly enriched in the respective phases of the metal. The method involves for instance but is not limited to, shearing, separating and segregating metallic droplets and particles in a carrier fluid to form other droplets or particles that are each separately highly enriched in one of some, if not of all, of the constituent phases of the alloy or mixed material.

Direct printing and writing using undercooled metallic core-shell particles

A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure. 1. A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material , comprising:using a printing device or a writing device to deposit an ink comprising undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles dispersed in a carrier fluid on a substrate surface as one or more layers.2. The method of including relatively moving the substrate surface and the printing or writing device to deposit the undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles on the substrate surface.3. The method of including the additional step of releasing the liquid metallic core material of the particles and solidifying the released liquid metallic material as one or more metallic layers on the substrate surface.4. The method of wherein the one or more metallic layers is/are electrically conductive.5. The method of wherein the one or more layers is/are thermally conductive.6. The method of where the one or more layers is/are continuous claim 1 , porous or discontinuous.7. The method of wherein the one or more layers form one or more straight or curvilinear electrically conductive lines.8. The method of wherein the lines are laterally spaced apart on the substrate surface.9. The method of where the lines are orthogonally positioned.10. The method of where the lines intersect at an angle.11. The method of wherein the lines are disposed one atop the other as a 3-D line.12. The method of wherein the writing device comprises a writing pen.13. The method of wherein the writing device comprises a printer.14. The method of where in the writing device is a tube through which the ink flows out.15. The method of ...

Mechano-chemical de-mixing of metal alloys and mixed materials

A physical and chemical method is provided for de-mixing (e.g. extracting, separating, purifying and/or enriching) the metal constituents of an alloy or mixed material into different droplet or solid particle products that are highly enriched in the respective phases of the metal. The method involves for instance but is not limited to, shearing, separating and segregating metallic droplets and particles in a carrier fluid to form other droplets or particles that are each separately highly enriched in one of some, if not of all, of the constituent phases of the alloy or mixed material.

System and method for manufacture of undercooled metallic core-shell particles

A system and method are presented for producing metallic core-shell particles. The system includes the housing having a hollow interior configured to receive and hold a molten metal input, a carrier fluid, and one or more reagents. The system also includes a shearing assembly positioned within the hollow interior of the housing. The shearing assembly is configured to, when the molten metal input, carrier fluid, and one or more reagents are held withing hollow interior and sealed within housing, shear the molten metal input into particles of an effective size so that a shell created on a surface of the particles via reaction with the one or more reagents prevents a core of the particles from solidifying when the particles are cooled to a temperature below a freezing temperature of the molten metal input.

Solid dry-type lubricant

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.

Micro- and nano-particles with variable surface morphologies and methods of making same

A method of making a multilayer metal particle having an irregular surface architecture includes introducing a molten eutectic metal alloy into a solution to produce a eutectic-solvent mixture, shearing the eutectic-solvent mixture for a sufficient period of time to induce surface tension driven phase segregation in the molten eutectic metal alloy to produce an irregular surface architecture on the eutectic metal alloy, allowing the molten eutectic metal alloy to precipitate to produce a plurality of particles, allowing the plurality of particles to oxidize in the presence of an oxidizer, and functionalizing the particles with an organic species to form an organic layer to produce a multilayer metal particle having an irregular surface architecture.

Providing speakerphone operation in a portable communication device

Method for cordless loudspeaker telephone functioning,

The method includes receiving a voice code signal having a succession of frames, each frame having audio information and an energy value of the corresponding frame. The next step includes calculating a mean value proportional to the value of the energy of the frame. The next step includes forming a value of a threshold of the vocal indicator, and passing the audio information on the loudspeaker when the mean offset value is greater than the threshold value of the vocal indicator. All this affects the step consisting of passing the information, cutting off the microphone of the portable communication device in order to avoid the audio return.

Method and apparatus for implementing a speakerphone function in a portable communication device

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPEAKER TELEPHONE OPERATION IN A PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Method of preparing metal surfaces

A method of preparing an ultra-flat metal surface involves providing a layer of a crystalline metallic material on an ultra-flat substrate surface that is relatively harder than the metallic material layer and then impinging the metallic material layer with incoming metal atoms that are deposited as an additive crystalline layer thereon, wherein at least a lattice constant of the additive crystalline layer is different enough from a lattice constant of the crystalline metallic material layer resulting in a reduction of roughness of the surface of the metallic material layer adjacent to the substrate surface. The metallic material layer having an ultra-flat surface then is separated by template stripping or other technique from the substrate surface for further use of the ultra-flat surface.

Stable undercooled metallic particles for engineering at ambient conditions

Method of separating one or more elements from an alloy

A method of separating one or more elements from an alloy includes subjecting a metal alloy to a stimulus to form an enriched material including the one or more elements and to form a depleted material. The enriched material is enriched in the one or more elements compared to the alloy and the depleted material is depleted in the one or more elements compared to the alloy. The method also includes removing the enriched material and the depleted material from one another.

Coated irregular surfaces

Coated irregular surfaces, replicas made therefrom, and methods of making the same. A particle-coated substrate includes a coating including undercooled liquid metallic particles. The particles include a solid shell comprising a metal oxide, and a liquid metallic core that is below the melting point of the liquid metallic core. The particle-coated substrate also includes a substrate including an irregular surface, wherein the coating is on the irregular surface.

Mask-free photolithography using metastable undercooled metal particles

Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Textured particles

Textured particles and methods of making the same. A textured particle includes an inner core and a spherical solid outer shell including an outer surface. The inner core is inside the outer shell. The outer surface includes a first tier texture including a first metal, wherein the first metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the first tier texture; a second tier texture including the second metal, wherein the second metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the second tier texture; and a third tier texture including the third metal, wherein the third metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the third tier texture. The first metal, second metal, and third metals are different metals.

Micro-capsules having an amorphous solid core

A particle comprises an amorphous solid metallic core enclosed within a metal-oxide shell. The amorphous solid metallic core includes one or more metals and is below a glass transition temperature of the one or more metals. The particle further comprises one or more regions having a crystalline or semi-crystalline structure disposed within the amorphous solid metallic core.

Solder Materials Including Supercooled Micro-Capsules And Alloyed Particles

A material includes a plurality of supercooled micro-capsules each including a metallic core in a liquid state at a temperature below a solidification temperature of the metallic core and further includes a metallic shell surrounding each respective metallic core. A plurality of alloyed metallic particles and flux are mixed with the plurality of supercooled micro-capsules to form a solder paste. Upon heating the solder paste, the plurality of alloyed particles melt. As the metallic shells destabilize, the liquid metallic cores interdiffuse with the melted alloyed particles forming a new alloy that has a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of the alloyed metallic particles.

Stable undercooled metallic particles for engineering at ambient conditions

Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

液体金属コア－シェル粒子並びに過冷却液体金属コア－シェル粒子の調製及び周囲環境下での使用方法

【解決手段】 過冷却液体金属コア－シェル粒子であって、そのコアが周囲環境条件、すなわちほぼ周囲環境の温度及び圧力条件下にて凝固に対して安定である粒子が、非粒子の金属コンポーネントを接合又は修復するのに用いられる。ナノサイズ又はマイクロサイズの粒子の形態である過冷却シェル粒子は、外側シェルの内部に過冷却された安定な液体金属コアが封入され、典型的には、過冷却された液体金属コアに酸化物又は他の安定性を付与するシェルがその場で形成されることができる。シェルが破壊されると液体相のコア材料が放出され、コンポーネントが接合又は修復される。【選択図】 図１Ｄ

Stable undercooled metallic particles for filling a void

Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

Stable undercooled metallic particles for engineering at ambient conditions

Undercooled liquid metallic core-shell particles, whose core is stable against solidification at ambient conditions, i.e. under near ambient temperature and pressure conditions, are used to join or repair metallic non-particulate components. The undercooled-shell particles in the form of nano-size or micro-size particles comprise an undercooled stable liquid metallic core encapsulated inside an outer shell, which can comprise an oxide or other stabilizer shell typically formed in-situ on the undercooled liquid metallic core. The shell is ruptured to release the liquid phase core material to join or repair a component(s).

Mask-free photolithography using metastable undercooled metal particles

Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Methods of forming microwires or nanowires

Methods of forming microwires or nanowires, microwires or nanowires formed using the method, and electronic devices and semiconductor components including the wires. A method of forming a microwire or nanowire includes disposing a plurality of metal particles in a portion of a channel that is a nanochannel or a microchannel. The method includes etching the metal particles with an activation agent to form a flux that penetrates an additional portion of the channel. The flux includes an etching product of the activation agent and the metal particles. The method includes allowing the activation agent to at least partially evaporate to form a wire that is a microwire or a nanowire.

Textured particles

Textured particles and methods of making the same. A textured particle includes an inner core and a spherical solid outer shell including an outer surface. The inner core is inside the outer shell. The outer surface includes a first tier texture including a first metal, wherein the first metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the first tier texture; a second tier texture including the second metal, wherein the second metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the second tier texture; and a third tier texture including the third metal, wherein the third metal is greater than 50 atomic % of a total atomic content of all metals in the third tier texture. The first metal, second metal, and third metals are different metals.

System and method for manufacture of undercooled metallic core-shell particles

A system and method are presented for producing metallic core-shell particles. The system includes the housing having a hollow interior configured to receive and hold a molten metal input, a carrier fluid, and one or more reagents. The system also includes a shearing assembly positioned within the hollow interior of the housing. The shearing assembly is configured to, when the molten metal input, carrier fluid, and one or more reagents are held withing hollow interior and sealed within housing, shear the molten metal input into particles of an effective size so that a shell created on a surface of the particles via reaction with the one or more reagents prevents a core of the particles from solidifying when the particles are cooled to a temperature below a freezing temperature of the molten metal input.

Undercooled liquid metallic droplets having a protective shell

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.

System and method for manufacture of undercooled metallic core-shell particles

A system and method are presented for producing metallic core-shell particles. The system includes the housing having a hollow interior configured to receive and hold a molten metal input, a carrier fluid, and one or more reagents. The system also includes a shearing assembly positioned within the hollow interior of the housing. The shearing assembly is configured to, when the molten metal input, carrier fluid, and one or more reagents are held within hollow interior and sealed within housing, shear the molten metal input into particles of an effective size so that a shell created on a surface of the particles via reaction with the one or more reagents prevents a core of the particles from solidifying when the particles are cooled to a temperature below a freezing temperature of the molten metal input.

Solid dry-type lubricant

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.

Solder paste on demand apparatus

A system and method are presented for producing solder paste having undercooled metallic core-shell particles. In one or more arrangements, the system includes a reconstitution assembly, a dispenser assembly, and a mixer, among other components. The reconstitution assembly is configured to place the cores of the solid core metallic core-shell particles into an undercooled liquid state to form a plurality of undercooled metallic core-shell particles. The dispenser assembly is configured to dispense one or more of a set of available flux components. The mixer assembly is configured to mix the one or more of the set of flux components dispensed by the dispenser assembly with the plurality of undercooled metallic core-shell particles formed by the reconstitution assembly to form a solder paste.

Solid dry-type lubricant

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.

MEMS force sensors fabricated using paper substrates

MEMS devices fabricated using inexpensive substrate materials such as paper or fabric, are provided. Using paper as a substrate, low cost, simple to prepare, lightweight, disposable piezoresistive sensors, including accelerometers are prepared. Signal-processing circuitry can also be patterned on the substrate material. The sensors can be utilized as two-dimensional sensors, or the paper substrate material can be folded to arrange the sensors in a three dimensional conformation. For example, three sensors can be patterned on a paper substrate and folded into a cube such that the three sensors are orthogonally positioned on the faces of a cube, permitting simultaneous measurement of accelerations along three orthogonal directions (x-y-z). These paper-based sensors can be mass produced by incorporating highly developed technologies for automatic paper cutting, folding, and screen-printing. Also provided are methods of modifying paper for use as a substrate material in MEMS devices.