Scaleable Process for Nanometer Metal Powders Production

Nanosize metal or alloy powders are a novel class of materials with grain size less than 100 nanometer with a combination of unique properties. These novel materials give an opportunity to engineer a wide variety of controlled optical, electronic, chemical, and mechanical properties for various applications. The extent and rate at which these advanced materials can be applied depends in part, on the availability of high quality nanosize powders at a reasonable cost. This program aims at demonstrating and developing a novel thermal process to produce nanosize powders with production costs in few dollars/lb range and facile scalability. Nanomaterials Research Corporation (NRC) will, during Phase I, demonstrate the proof-of-concept that nanosize metal and alloy powders with very narrow size distribution and high purity can be produced in bulk quantities at an affordable cost. Phase II will optimize the technology, while Phase III will commercialize it.