Forming fine particles
AssigneeThe Board of Regents of the University of Nebrasaka
InventorDennis R. Alexander
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To alter feedstock material, the material is exposed to laser radiation applied at a selected angle of incidence, intensity and wavelength related to the refractive index of the feedstock material. Fine uniform particles may be formed through vapor explosion and/or plasma formation and used by this method to coat surfaces, such as with paint or adhesive or to suply uniform small particles to a heat engine. Moreover, moving materials such as a column of liquid may be subjected to high internal pressure and temperature for creating physical and chemical changes.
Claims13
A process for forming and using small particles comprising the steps of:
- selecting a feedstock material to be broken into particles;
- irradiating the feedstock material with radiant energy having a predetermined angle of incidence to the feedstock material at a predetermined point, having a predetermined wavelength and having sufficient intensity to cause the feedstock material to be formed into particles that are at low velocity at least after moving a distance less than one inch from the predetermined point;
- gathering the particles in a space at least partly confining the particles;
- controlling the direction of movement of the particles to move then to a predetermined location;
- the step of controlling the direction of movement including the substep of controlling the flow of particles at a low velocity to the predetermined location after the step of gathering the particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.