US 11,707,719 B2
Fabricating structured particles through rapid hardening and tailored collection methods
Congwang Ye, Livermore, CA (US); Roger D. Aines, Livermore, CA (US); Sarah E. Baker, Dublin, CA (US); Caitlyn Christian Cook, Livermore, CA (US); Eric B. Duoss, Dublin, CA (US); Joshua D. Kuntz, Livermore, CA (US); Elaine Lee, Brooklyn, NY (US); James S. Oakdale, Castro Valley, CA (US); Andrew J. Pascall, Livermore, CA (US); Joshuah K. Stolaroff, Oakland, CA (US); Marcus A. Worsley, Hayward, CA (US); and Carlos J. Martinez, West Layfayette, IN (US)
Assigned to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US); and Purdue Research Foundation, West Layfayette, IN (US)
Filed by LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, Livermore, CA (US); and PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, West Lafayette, IN (US)
Filed on Oct. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/450,731.
Application 17/450,731 is a division of application No. 15/928,522, filed on Mar. 22, 2018, granted, now 11,173,461.
Prior Publication US 2022/0023813 A1, Jan. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B01J 2/04 (2006.01); B01J 13/14 (2006.01); B01J 2/18 (2006.01)
CPC B01J 2/04 (2013.01) [B01J 2/18 (2013.01); B01J 13/14 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of fabricating structured particles, comprising:
providing an enclosure,
providing a fluid jet forming unit adapted to produce a fluid jet stream located in said enclosure;
supplying a material to said fluid jet forming unit wherein said fluid jet stream is made of said material;
using said fluid jet forming unit to produce said fluid jet stream;
providing a vibration system in said enclosure positioned proximate said fluid jet stream wherein said vibration unit is adapted to impart vibration to said fluid jet stream;
using said vibration system to impart vibration to said fluid jet stream and produce a particle fluid jet stream having discrete droplets wherein said droplets are made of said material;
providing an iris in said enclosure wherein said particle fluid jet stream passes through said iris;
providing a curing system positioned outside said enclosure that directs ultraviolet rays onto said particle fluid jet stream wherein said curing system is adapted to cure said discrete droplets;
using said curing system to cure said discrete droplets and produce cured droplets;
providing a collection system in said enclosure adapted to receive said cured droplets; and
using said collection system for receiving said cured droplets thereby providing the structured particles.