Cabot Corporation

Global Advanced Metals Usa, Inc.

Shi Yuan

Christopher A Michaluk

James Q Maguire

Duan-Fan Wang

James D Maguire, Jr

Bhamidipaty K D P Rao

James D Maguire

A method of heat treating metal powder and/or metal oxide powder by microwave energy is described. Furthermore, products made by the various processes of the present invention are further described.

Process for heat treating metal powder and products made from the same

A method of forming a sputtering target and other metal articles having controlled oxygen and nitrogen content levels and the articles so formed are described. The method includes surface-nitriding a deoxidized metal powder and further includes consolidating the powder by a powder metallurgy technique. Preferred metal powders include, but are not limited to, valve metals, including tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof.

Powder metallurgy sputtering targets and methods of producing same

Valve metal material, including a valve metal, a nitride layer located on the valve metal, and an oxide layer located on the nitride layer is described. Methods of forming such a valve metal material are also described. The method includes forming an oxide layer onto the valve metal and then forming a nitride layer between the oxide layer and the valve metal.

Nitrided valve metal material and method of making same

Capacitor anodes that include metallic columns formed on a substrate so as to form a porous microstructure and methods of making the anodes are described. The metallic columns can be distinct from one another and project outward from the substrate. Also described is the formation of the metallic columns on the substrate by vapor deposition, including glancing angle deposition (GLAD), and by etching a portion of a metal layer. High capacitance capacitors made from the capacitor anodes are also described.

Capacitor anode formed of metallic columns on a substrate

Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

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West Chester, PA, United States of America

Shi Yuan