Method and apparatus for collecting nano-particles
Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of collecting nano-scale particles from a nano-particle generator comprising:
directing nano-scale particles away from a particle generation source within a chamber so as to cause controlled circulation of the particles in a controlled environment and to minimize the amount that collect near said source; and
directing said particles from the chamber over a baffle to a collection enclosure, the baffle providing physical separation of the particle generation source from the flow of particles for collection.
22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising generating nano-scale particles at the source in a reactor chamber.
23 . A system for transferring nano-scale particles comprising:
a chamber for generating nano-scale particles, the chamber comprising at least one source of particle generation;
gas distribution means for directing the particles away from the source so that the particles may be collected so as to cause controlled circulation of the particles in a controlled environment and to minimize the amount of particles that collect near said the source; and
a baffle separating the source from the flow of particles for collection.
24 . The system of claim 23 further comprising a vacuum source connected to an outlet of the chamber.
25 . The system of claim 23 further comprising a collection receptacle.