Patent Publication Number: US-2020290171-A1

Title: Nanoparticles production

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/855,939, filed on Jun. 1, 2019, and entitled “ULTRASOUND ABLATION METHOD FOR NANOPARTICLE GENERATION” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to nanoparticles, and more particularly, to a method for producing nanoparticles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent decades, nanoparticles have received considerable attention due to their numerous potential applications. For example, aluminum nanoparticles may be applied in pyro techniques due to their high enthalpy of combustion and their high reaction surface area. Aluminum nanoparticles are also very promising because, for example, they can help in speeding up the production of hydrogen and facilitate the storage of hydrogen. Furthermore, nanostructures are one of the most attractive materials for research objectives such as optoelectronic applications, energy storage, and energetic applications. 
     In general, several methods with two underlying approaches for producing nanoparticles are conventionally utilized. The first approach which is called the top-down approach includes mechanical methods such as standard ball milling process, arc plasma spray, laser ablation in solution, and electric explosion of wires. The second approach which is called bottom-up approach includes chemical methods such as wet-chemical synthesis, mechano-chemical process, and sono-electro-chemical process. 
     The aforementioned methods have various drawbacks including, but not limited to, being expensive, time consuming, and prone to contamination. There is, therefore, a need for a non-expensive, fast, and clean method for producing nanoparticles. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings. 
     According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for producing nanoparticles is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include obtaining a foil covered screw by wrapping a foil around an externally threaded section of an outer surface of a screw, placing the foil between an internally threaded section of an inner surface of a nut and the externally threaded section of the outer surface of the screw by screwing the foil covered screw into the nut, and grinding the foil between the internally threaded section of the inner surface of the nut and the externally threaded section of the outer surface of the screw by vibrating one of the nut and the foil covered screw along a first axis. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating the one of the nut and the foil covered screw along the first axis may include vibrating the one of the nut and the foil covered screw along a main longitudinal axis of the foil covered screw. In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating the one of the nut and the foil covered screw along the first axis may include vibrating the one of the nut and the foil covered screw with a frequency between 20 KHz and 40 KHz. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating the one of the nut and the foil covered screw with a frequency between 20 KHz and 40 KHz may include transmitting an ultrasonic vibrational wave to the one of the nut and the foil covered screw. In an exemplary embodiment, transmitting the ultrasonic vibrational wave to the one of the nut and the foil covered screw further may include attaching the one of the nut and the foil covered screw to an ultrasound head of an ultrasound transducer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, attaching the one of the nut and the foil covered screw to an ultrasound head of an ultrasound transduce may include attaching the one of the nut and the foil covered screw to a distal end of an ultrasonic booster and attaching a proximal end of the ultrasonic booster to the ultrasound head of the ultrasound transducer. In an exemplary embodiment, a diameter of the proximal end of the ultrasonic booster may be larger than a diameter of the distal end of the ultrasonic booster. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed method may further include applying a downward force to one of the nut and the foil covered screw along the first axis and in a first direction. In an exemplary embodiment, applying the downward force to the one of the nut and the foil covered screw along the first axis and in the first direction may include disposing a spring between an upper surface of the one of the nut and the foil covered screw and a bottom surface of the ultrasonic booster. In an exemplary embodiment, a mechanical hardness of the screw and a mechanical hardness of the nut may be both greater than a mechanical hardness of the foil. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, obtaining the foil covered screw by wrapping the foil around the externally threaded section of the screw may include obtaining the foil covered screw by wrapping the foil around the externally threaded section of a titanium made screw. In an exemplary embodiment, placing the foil between the internally threaded section of the nut and the externally threaded section of the screw may include placing the foil between the internally threaded section of a titanium made nut and the externally threaded section of the titanium made screw. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for producing nanoparticles is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a foil covered screw, a nut, and an ultrasound transducer. In an exemplary embodiment, the foil covered screw may include a screw with an externally threaded section on an outer surface of the screw. In an exemplary embodiment, the foil covered screw may further include a foil wrapped around the externally threaded section of the screw. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the nut may include an internally threaded section on an inner surface of the screw. In an exemplary embodiment, the nut may be configured to receive the screw. In an exemplary embodiment, the internally threaded section of the nut may be configured to engage with the externally threaded section of the screw responsive to the nut receiving the screw. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound transducer may include a transducer head. In an exemplary embodiment, the transducer head may be configured to vibrate one of the nut and foil covered screw along a first axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the nut and the screw may be configured to grind the foil between the internally threaded section of the nut and the externally threaded section of the screw responsive to one of the nut and the screw vibrating along the first axis. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first axis may coincide with both a main longitudinal axis of the nut and a main longitudinal axis of the foil covered screw. In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound transducer may be configured to vibrate one of the nut and the foil covered screw with a frequency between 20 KHz and 40 KHz. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound transducer may be configured to vibrate the one of the nut and the foil covered screw by transmitting a mechanical vibrational wave to the one of the nut and the foil covered screw through the ultrasound head. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed system may further include an ultrasonic booster attached to the one of the nut and the foil covered screw at a distal end of the ultrasonic booster. In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic booster may be attached to the ultrasound transducer at a proximal end of the ultrasonic booster. In an exemplary embodiment, a diameter of the proximal end of the ultrasonic booster may be larger than a diameter of the distal end of the ultrasonic booster. In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic booster may be configured to increase a vibration amplitude of the one of the nut and the foil covered screw. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed system may further include a spring disposed between a top surface of the one of the nut and the foil covered screw and a bottom surface of the ultrasonic booster. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring may be configured to apply a downward force to one of the nut and the foil covered screw along the first axis and in a first direction. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a mechanical hardness of the screw and a mechanical hardness of the nut may be both greater than a mechanical hardness of the foil. In an exemplary embodiment, the screw and the nut may be both made of titanium. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a flowchart of a method for producing nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a nanoparticle production system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a foil, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a foil covered screw, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of a foil covered screw and a nut in a scenario in which the foil covered screw is screwed into nut, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a sectional view of a foil covered screw and a nut in a scenario in which the foil covered screw is screwed into the nut, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in a first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in a first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a perspective view of an ultrasonic booster, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in a first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in a second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in a second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a schematic of a nanoparticle production system in the second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of produced aluminum nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) image of produced aluminum nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of produced copper nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) image of produced copper nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
     The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     Herein is disclosed a method for producing nanoparticles. An exemplary method may include wrapping a thin foil, which may be made of a specific material, such as aluminum or copper, around external threads of a screw and then screwing the screw into a nut. The exemplary method may further include attaching one of the nut and the screw to a head of an ultrasonic transducer and vibrating the nut vertically by utilizing the ultrasonic transducer. Vertical vibration of the one of the nut and the screw may grind the thin foil between internal threads of the nut and external threads of the screw. Grinding the thin foil between internal threads of the nut and external threads of the screw may lead to producing nanoparticles of the specific material. 
       FIG. 1  shows a flowchart of a method for producing nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. An exemplary method  100  may include obtaining a foil covered screw by wrapping a foil around an externally threaded section of an outer surface of a screw (step  102 ), placing the foil between an internally threaded section of an inner surface of a nut and the externally threaded section of the outer surface of the screw (step  104 ), and grinding the foil between the internally threaded section of the inner surface of the nut and the externally threaded section of the outer surface of the screw by vibrating one of the nut and the screw along a first axis (step  106 ). In an exemplary embodiment, method  100  may facilitate producing nanoparticles by utilizing an ultrasound transducer. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a nanoparticle production system  200 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, different steps of method  100  may be implemented by utilizing nanoparticle production system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, nanoparticle production system  200  may include an ultrasound transducer  202 , a nut  204 , and a screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, nut  204  may include an internally threaded section  242  on an inner surface of nut  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, screw  206  may include an externally threaded section  262  on an outer surface of screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, externally threaded section  262  of screw  206  may be configured to engage with internally threaded section  242  of nut  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, an inner diameter  244  of nut  204  may correspond to an outer diameter  264  of screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, a shape of screw  206  may correspond to nut  204 , and therefore, screw  206  may be configured to be screwed into nut  204 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a foil  300 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, foil  300  may be made of a specific material such as aluminum, copper, or any other material. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be understood that nanoparticles produced by method  100  may be of the same material as the material of foil  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness  302  of foil  300  may be in a range between 10 μm and 40 μm. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of foil covered screw  400 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, foil covered screw  400  may be obtained by step  102  of method  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step  102 , foil  300  may be wrapped around externally threaded section  242  of nut  204  in such a way that foil  300  take a substantial form of externally threaded section  242  of screw  206   
     In an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step  104  of method  100 , foil covered screw  400  may be screwed into nut  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, when foil covered screw  400  is screwed into nut  204 , foil  300  may be placed between internally threaded section  262  of screw  206  and internally threaded section  242  of nut  204 .  FIG. 5A  shows a side view of foil covered screw  400  and nut  204  in a scenario in which foil covered screw  400  is screwed into nut  204 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5B  shows a sectional view of foil covered screw  400  and nut  204  in a scenario in which foil covered screw  400  is screwed into nut  204 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In order to implement step  106 , one of nut  204  and foil covered screw  400  may be vibrated along a first axis  502  by utilizing ultrasound transducer  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, first axis  502  may coincide with both a main longitudinal axis of nut  204  and a main longitudinal axis of screw  400 . In an exemplary embodiment, main longitudinal axis of nut  204  and main longitudinal axis of screw  400  may overlap with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic transducer  202  may comprise of an apparatus which may be able to convert an electrical high voltage signal to an ultrasonic mechanical wave. In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic transducer  202  may be able to produce an ultrasonic mechanical wave at a head  222  of ultrasonic transducer  222 . In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating one of nut  204  and foil covered screw  400  may be implemented in two scenarios. In a first scenario, nut  204  may be vibrated by utilizing ultrasound transducer  202 . In a second scenario, foil covered screw  400  may be vibrated by utilizing ultrasound transducer  202 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in the first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6A , in an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step  106 , nut  204  may be attached to head  222  of ultrasound transducer  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, nut  204  and head  222  of ultrasonic transducer  202  may be manufactured seamlessly to constitute an integrated part of nanoparticle production system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, when nut  204  is attached to head  222  of ultrasound transducer  202 , ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge nut  204  to vibrate along first axis  502 . In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge nut  204  to vibrate along first axis  502  with a frequency between 20 KHz and 40 KHz. Specifically, ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge screw  206  to vibrate along first axis  502  with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz. In an exemplary embodiment, responsive to vibration of screw  206  along first axis  502 , foil  300  may be grinded between internally threaded section  242  of nut  204  and externally threaded section  262  of screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, responsive to grinding foil  300  between internally threaded section  242  of nut  204  and externally threaded section  262  of screw  206 , nanoparticles of the specific material, from which foil  300  is made, may be produced. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in a first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6B , in an exemplary embodiment, nanoparticle production system  200  may further include an ultrasonic booster  602 .  FIG. 6C  shows a perspective view of ultrasonic booster  602 , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6B , in an exemplary embodiment, nut  204  may be attached to a distal end  622  of ultrasonic booster  602 . In an exemplary embodiment, nut  204  and ultrasonic booster  602  may be manufactured seamlessly to constitute an integrated part of nanoparticle production system  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, a proximal end  624  of ultrasonic booster  602  may be attached to head  222  of ultrasonic transducer  222 . In an exemplary embodiment, a distal diameter  6222  of distal end  622  may be smaller than a proximal diameter  6242  of proximal end  624 . For example, proximal diameter  6242  of proximal end  624  may be three times larger than distal diameter  6222  of distal end  622 . In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic booster  602  may help vibrating nut  204  with a higher amplitude. In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating nut  204  with a higher amplitude along first axis  502  may increase nanoparticles production rate. That is, higher amplitude may lead to more force being applied to the respective nanoparticles. In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating nut  204  with a higher amplitude along first axis  502  may refer to vibrating nut  204  in such a way that nut  204  moves back and forth in a longer distance along first axis  502 . In an exemplary embodiment, utilizing ultrasonic booster  602  may provide significant benefits including, but not limited to, increasing nanoparticles production efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, an increase in nanoparticles production efficiency may refer to increasing nanoparticles production rate. In other words, higher production efficiency may refer to producing more amount of nanoparticles in a specific time period. In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic booster  602  may be made of titanium. 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in a first scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in an exemplary embodiment, nanoparticle production system  200  may further include a first spring  702 . In an exemplary embodiment, first spring  702  may be disposed between a bottom surface  710  of ultrasonic booster  602  and a top surface  720  of screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, first spring  702  may apply a downward force to screw  206  along first axis  502  and in a first direction  522 . In an exemplary embodiment, applying a downward force to screw  206  may increase nanoparticles production rate. In an exemplary embodiment, disposing first spring  702  between bottom surface  710  of ultrasonic booster  602  and top surface  720  of screw  206  may provide significant benefits including, but not limited to, increasing nanoparticles production efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, an increase in nanoparticles production efficiency may refer to increasing nanoparticles production rate. In other words, a higher production efficiency may refer to producing more amount of nanoparticles in a specific time period. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in the second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 8A , in an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step  106 , screw  206  may be attached to head  222  of ultrasound transducer  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, screw  206  and head  222  of ultrasound transducer  202  may be manufactured seamlessly to constitute an integrated part. In an exemplary embodiment, when screw  206  is attached to head  222  of ultrasound transducer  202 , ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge screw  206  to vibrate along first axis  502 . In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge screw  206  to vibrate along first axis  502  with a frequency between 20 KHz and 40 KHz. Specifically, ultrasonic transducer  202  may urge nut  204  to vibrate along first axis  502  with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz. In an exemplary embodiment, responsive to vibration of nut  204  along first axis, foil  300  may be grinded between internally threaded section  242  of nut  204  and externally threaded section  262  of screw  206 . In an exemplary embodiment, responsive to grinding foil  300  between internally threaded section  242  of nut  204  and externally threaded section  262  of screw  206 , nanoparticles of the specific material, from which foil  300  is made, may be produced. 
       FIG. 8B  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in the second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 8B , in an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic booster  602  may be disposed between screw  206  and ultrasound transducer  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, screw  206  may be attached to distal end  622  of ultrasonic booster  602 . In an exemplary embodiment, screw  206  and ultrasonic booster  602  may be manufactures seamlessly to constitute an integrated part. In an exemplary embodiment, proximal end  624  of ultrasonic booster  602  may be attached to head  222  of ultrasonic transducer  222 . In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic booster  602  may help screw  206  to vibrate with a higher amplitude. In an exemplary embodiment, vibrating screw  206  with a higher amplitude may increase nanoparticles production rate. In an exemplary embodiment, utilizing ultrasonic transducer  222  may provide significant benefits including, but not limited to, increasing nanoparticles production efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, ultrasonic booster  602  may be made of titanium. 
       FIG. 9  shows a schematic of nanoparticle production system  200  in the second scenario, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in an exemplary embodiment, nanoparticle production system  200  may further include a second spring  902 . In an exemplary embodiment, second spring  902  may be disposed between bottom surface  710  of ultrasonic booster  602  and a top surface  920  of nut  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, second spring  702  may apply a downward force to nut  204  along first axis  502  and in first direction  522 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, applying a downward force to nut  204  may increase nanoparticles production rate. In an exemplary embodiment, disposing second spring  702  between bottom surface  710  of ultrasonic booster  602  and top surface  920  of nut  204  may provide significant benefits including, but not limited to, increasing nanoparticles production efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, an increase in nanoparticles production efficiency may refer to increasing nanoparticles production rate. In other words, a higher production efficiency may refer to producing more nanoparticles in a specific time period. According to embodiments disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment, by utilizing method  100  and nanoparticle production system  200 , a fast movement sanding of a foil of a specific material may convert the foil of the specific material to nanoparticles of said specific material. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, it may be understood that producing nanoparticles through method  100  may rely on an erosion from a bulk of a foil disposed between internally threaded section  242  of nut  204  and externally threaded section  262  of screw  206  induced by a fast movement sanding with an aid of ultrasound transducer  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, method  100  and nanoparticle production system  200  may provide significant benefits including, but not limited to, controllability on size of nanoparticles. In an exemplary embodiment, size of nanoparticles produced by method  100  may be controlled by changing a power of ultrasound transducer  202 , changing dimensions of ultrasonic booster  602 , changing dimensions of nut  204  and screw  206 , and changing a stiffness of first spring  702  and/or second spring  902 . Furthermore, by utilizing method  100  and nanoparticle production system  200 , final produced nanoparticles may contain minimum amount of impurities. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be understood that high purity of final produced nanoparticles in the disclosed method herein may be due to the fact that through utilizing method  100  and nanoparticle production system  200 , there may not be any additional chemical substance and/or grinding particle engaged. 
     Example 1 
     In this example, aluminum nanoparticles are produced utilizing exemplary method  100 . In order to produce aluminum nanoparticles, an aluminum foil with a thickness of 20 μm was wrapped around an externally threaded section of an exemplary screw similar to externally threaded section  262  of screw  206  so that an exemplary foil covered screw similar to foil covered screw  400  was obtained. Then, the exemplary foil covered screw was screwed into an exemplary nut similar to nut  204 . The exemplary nut attached to a head of an exemplary ultrasound transducer similar to ultrasound transducer  202 . The exemplary ultrasound transducer vibrated the exemplary nut with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz. Responsive to vibration of the exemplary nut with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz, aluminum nanoparticles were produced.  FIG. 10A  shows a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of produced aluminum nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 10B  shows a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) image of produced aluminum nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , it is evident that in this example, aluminum nanoparticles were produced. 
     Example 2 
     In this example, copper nanoparticles are produced utilizing exemplary method  100 . In order to produce copper nanoparticles, a copper foil with a thickness of 20 μm was wrapped around an externally threaded section of an exemplary screw similar to externally threaded section  262  of screw  206  so that an exemplary foil covered screw similar to foil covered screw  400  was obtained. Then, the exemplary foil covered screw was screwed into an exemplary nut similar to nut  204 . The exemplary nut attached to a head of an exemplary ultrasound transducer similar to ultrasound transducer  202 . The exemplary ultrasound transducer vibrated the exemplary nut with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz. Responsive to vibration of the exemplary nut with a frequency equal to 26.5 KHz, copper nanoparticles were produced.  FIG. 11A  shows a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of produced copper nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 11B  shows a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) image of produced copper nanoparticles, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B , it is evident that in this example, copper nanoparticles were produced. 
     While the foregoing has described what may be considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. 
     Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
     The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. 
     Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 
     It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective spaces of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations. This is for purposes of streamlining the disclosure, and is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 
     While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.