Patent ID: 7282167
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: B22F,B82Y

Abstract:
1. A method of producing nano-scale particles comprising the steps of: feeding a raw material onto a heater element contained in a sealed chamber so as to vaporize the raw material; allowing the raw material vapor to flow upwardly, in a laminar manner, from the heater element under free convection; injecting a flow of cooling gas upwardly from a position below the heater element, parallel to and into contact with the upward flow of the vaporized raw material and at the same velocity as the vaporized raw material; adjusting the flow of cooling gas so as to maintain a laminar flow of the vaporized raw material and cooling gas; allowing the cooling gas and vaporized raw material to rise and mix sufficiently long enough to allow nano-scale particles of the raw material to condense out of the vapor; and drawing the mixed flow of cooling gas and nano-scale particles with a vacuum into a collection chamber.