Patent ID: 7393517
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: B81C

Abstract:
1. A method for the production of a shaped microcomponent comprising the steps of: obtaining at least one non-naturally occurring microtemplate having an original chemical composition and an original dimensional feature, wherein said original chemical composition comprises a species selected from the group consisting of silica and silicon; oxidizing each said at least one microtemplate so as to convert into silica, if necessary, any silicon therein; and subjecting each said at least one microtemplate to a chemical reaction, so as to partially or completely convert each said at least one microtemplate into said shaped microcomponent having a chemical composition different than said original chemical composition and having substantially the same dimensional feature as said original dimensional feature, wherein said chemical reaction is a metathetic reaction of the following type: where A b X w is a reactant, M c X y ·N d X z is a constituent of the said at least one microtemplate, aA b X w ·N d X z is an ionically or covalently bonded first solid reaction product that is retained in the said shaped microcomponent, and M c X y is a second reaction product; wherein a, b, c, d, w, y and z are stoichiometric variables having positive integer values; wherein A, M, and N are any metal cation; and wherein X is a metalloid ion or a displacing reactant species thereof.