Appeal No. 1999-0808 Page 2
Application No. 08/645,397
BACKGROUND
Appellants’ invention relates to a method for making finely scaled, i.e. nanoscale, metal/metal
composites by a polyol process (specification, page 1, lines 10-11). The metallic composite has a
matrix of a first metal, containing nanoscale particles of at least one additional metal (specification, page
5, lines 12-13). Nanoscale particles have dimensions in the approximate range of 1-100 nm
(specification, page 1, line 15). Claim 1 is illustrative:
1. A method for making a metal powder comprising a nanoscale composite of at least
two immiscible metals, comprising the steps:
dissolving or suspending at least two metal compounds in a polyol, thereby
forming a solution or suspension, wherein said metal compounds are each soluble or
suspendable in polyol solution and wherein said metal compounds each reduce to
elemental metal and by products that are soluble in said solution or suspension;
adjusting the temperature of said solution or suspension to a reduction
temperature, thereby initiating the reduction of said metal compounds and the
precipitation of metal particles from said solution or suspension.
Claims 1-26 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent
4,539,041 issued to Figlarz et al. on September 3, 1985 (Figlarz). The Examiner presents her
reasoning on pages 2-3 of the Final Rejection (Paper no. 5). We reverse.
OPINION
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