MIM (metal injection molding)

I ran across an interesting article in
Science Times about "sintered"
(solidified from a powder) metal parts
cooked with microwaves in a mold; no
significant shrinkage. Apparently they
produced very small crystaline
structures, with resultant high
strength. Cryogenics has been used to
achieve the same effect on cast and
forged metals.

Ceramic fibers up to three feet long
have been produced by growing them on
bacterial strands. BuckyBalls and Tubes
can be produced with an arc welder, and
are being used as microscopic molds for
doped silicone and copper crystals.
Micro-machines are made at Sandia with
common photolithography techniques.
Direct Ion depositation is next.