Patent ID: 7470351

Claim:
A system for producing metal particles by electrolysis comprising: a container for containing a body of a solution in which a metal is at least partially dissolved; an anode at least partially immersed in the solution; a cathode having a plurality of electrically coupled active zones separated from each other at the cathode surface by an insulator providing a separation distance between any two active zones from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, each active zone having a surface area not less than about 0.02 square mm and being formed of an electrically conductive material, said cathode at least partially immersed in the solution; turbulent flow means for directing the solution including the dissolved metal along one or more of the active zones of the cathode; and voltage means for applying an electric potential between the anode and cathode sufficient to cause metal particles to form on one or more of the active zones of the cathode.