Inco Limited

Tekna Plasma Systems Inc.

Vladimir Paserin

Victor A Ettel

John Ambrose

Maher I Boulos

Jerzy W Jurewicz

James A Bell

Juraj Babjak

Jiayin Guo

Kirt Kenneth Cushnie

Richard S Adams

Paul A Hynek

Peter Joseph Kalal

A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.

Method producing metal nanopowders by decompositon of metal carbonyl using an induction plasma torch

A porous nickel electrode substrate having a central high conductivity core sandwiched between two layers of porous conductive material such as nickel foam or nickel felt. The porous conductive material is plated with nickel and then sintered. By selectively controlling the plating of nickel on the porous material, variable conductivities may be designed into the substrate.

Porous nickel electrode substrate

A sensor for measuring the density of a magnetic porous material such as foam. The sensor includes a load cell connected to a magnet. The magnet is spaced a predetermined distance away from the material. The load sensed by the pull of the magnet is translated into a perceivable density value.

Apparatus and method for determining the density of a metal plated

The invention provides a nickel foam and a method of forming a nickel foam for a nickel containing battery. An open-cell foam structure is placed in a nickel carbonyl gas containing structure. The foam structure is heated to a temperature at which nickel carbonyl decomposes. Nickel from the nickel carbonyl gas decomposes on the foam structure to form a nickel plated foam structure. The nickel plated foam structure is then sintered leaving an open-cell nickel network to form the nickel foam. The open-cells of the nickel foam comprise substantially hollow wires having a substantially uniform transverse cross-section. The nickel foam is further characterized by the conductivity through the nickel foam multiplied by a factor of 3.4 being equal to or greater than the theoretical conductivity of nickel.

Method of forming nickel foam

Growing community of inventors

Mississauga, Canada

Vladimir Paserin