Method of making particles and materials

Abstract

Methods of making particles and materials are disclosed.

1 . A method of making at least one of an amorphous or crystalline material, the method comprising: 
 feeding powder to a flame-forming device from a powder feeder, the powder feeder comprising: 
 a hopper having a discharge opening;  
 a screening member disposed proximate to the discharge opening;  
 a rotating brush assembly within the hopper, the brush assembly including a bristle element, wherein the bristle element includes distal and proximal ends, the distal end located proximate to the screening member; and  
 a drive assembly for rotating the brush assembly;  
   melting the powder to provide a melt; and    cooling the melt to provide at least one of the amorphous or crystalline material.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein cooling the melt provides at least some amorphous material.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the amorphous material has a T g .  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising heat-treating the amorphous material to convert at least a portion thereof to a glass-ceramic.  
   
   
       5 . A method of making fused polycrystalline material, the method comprising: 
 feeding powder to a flame-forming device from a powder feeder assembly, the powder feeder assembly comprising: 
 a hopper having a discharge opening;  
 a screening member disposed proximate to the discharge opening;  
 a rotating brush assembly within the hopper, the brush assembly including  
   a bristle element, wherein the bristle element includes distal and proximal ends, the distal end located proximate to the screening member; and    a drive assembly for rotating the brush assembly;    melting the powder to provide a melt; and    cooling the melt to directly provide fused polycrystalline material.    
   
   
       6 . A method of making fused polycrystalline abrasive particles, the method comprising: 
 feeding powder to a flame-forming device from a powder feeder, the powder    feeder comprising: 
 a hopper having a discharge opening;  
 a screening member disposed proximate to the discharge opening;  
 a rotating brush assembly within the hopper, the brush assembly including  
   a bristle element, wherein the bristle element includes distal and proximal ends, the distal end located proximate to the screening member; and    a drive assembly for rotating the brush assembly;    melting the powder to provide a melt; and    cooling the melt to directly provide fused polycrystalline abrasive particles.