SBIR Phase I: A Process for Preparing Nanometer-Sized Ceramic Particles at High Production Rates

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of a novel method, Combined Atomization and Reaction Technique (CART), for mass producing nanometer-sized ceramic powders. The SBIR Phase-I research is aimed at designing and building a bench-top CART apparatus to demonstrate the general technical and commercial feasibility of this method as applied to the synthesis of nano-sized oxides, carbides, and nitrides of both low- and higher-melting metals (e.g., Al, Fe, Si, and Ti). Nano-grained materials can be employed to replace various load-bearing and non-structural parts in automobiles, infrastructures, off-shore structures, pipings, containers, and electronic equipment housings, etc. this could be commercial attractive to many industries. Transparent nano-grained ceramics can be utilized in a broad array of applications including transparent ceramic appliance components, clear "glassware" and artistic artifacts. Transparent ceramics may be used as ballistic protection armors by law enforcement, security police and armored car personnel.