3m Innovative Properties Company

Other

Danny B Anderson

Robert Stephen Davidson

Brant Ulrick Kolb

Mark J Hendrickson

John T Brady

James Alan Higgins

Taun L McKenzie

James J Leach

David R Holm

Richard A Gerth

Robert S Davidson

Taun L Mckenzie

A method of preparing zirconia-containing nanoparticles and a method of preparing a composite material that includes the zirconia-containing nanoparticles are provided. A method of treating a zirconium carboxylate salt solution to remove alkali metal ions and alkaline earth ions is provided. The treated solution can be used as a feedstock to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles. Additionally, a continuous hydrothermal reactor system is provided that can be used, for example, to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles.

Method of making zirconia-containing nanoparticles

A plier tool for crimping electrical connectors to wires includes two plier handles that are pivotally connected together by a pivotal coupling that allows for rotation of the handles, towards and away from one another. The two plier handles each have gripping portions that are graspable by a user to rotate the plier handles about the axis of rotation. A crimping die is located on each plier handle, at an end opposite of the gripping portion thereof, and rotation of the plier handles causes the crimping dies to be moved towards and away from one another between engaging and non-engaging positions. The crimping die, together, define an opening that is configured to receive an electrical connector in a manner that positions the electrical connector in an endwise direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Electrical connector crimping plier tool

Zirconia particles, methods of making zirconia particles, composite materials that contain the zirconia particles, methods of making the composite materials, and zirconia sols that contain the zirconia particles are described. The zirconia particles are substantially non-associated and have an average size no greater than 50 nanometers and may contain yttrium. The zirconia particles are prepared by a method that includes two separate hydrothermal treatments.

Zirconia particles

A process for evaporating a portion of a colloidal solution, said process including: a) passing a colloidal solution, said colloidal solution including particles in a liquid medium, wherein at least a portion of said liquid medium includes at least one volatile component, through one or more orifices into an evaporation zone that has at least one inner surface, wherein said colloidal solution does not substantially contact said at least one inner surface of said evaporation zone as said colloidal solution is passed through said evaporation zone; b) applying pressure in said evaporation zone that is lower than the vapor pressure of said colloidal solution as it is passed into said evaporation zone, allowing for flash evaporation of at least a portion of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; c) adjusting the pressure in said evaporation zone to evaporate an amount of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; and d) collecting the remaining colloidal solution from said evaporation zone.

Continuous process for controlled concentration of colloidal solutions

Growing community of inventors

North St. Paul, MN, United States of America

Danny B Anderson