Abstract: A method for synthesizing nanosize metallic powders can include providing a metallic precursor. The metallic precursor can include a metal alloy formed having a fugitive constituent and a target metal. The fugitive constituent and target metal are chosen such that the fugitive constituent can be selectively dissolved or removed by leaching with an appropriate solvent while leaving the target metal undissolved. The fugitive constituent can be leached from the metallic precursor to leave a metallic residue which is a mass of nanosize metallic particles made substantially of the target metal. The nanosize metallic particles can then be recovered from the metallic residue either merely by removing the solvent and/or breaking up the mass of nanosize metallic particles. The disclosed methods allow for a convenient avenue for production of nanosize particles from readily formed materials for use in a wide variety of potential industrial and commercial applications.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a nanosize ceramic powder. A precursor ceramic material is formed of a fugitive constituent and a non-soluble constituent in a single phase. The precursor is contacted with a selective solvent (water, acid, etc.) to form a solution of the fugitive constituent in the solvent and a residue of the non-soluble constituent. The precursor is sufficiently reactive with the solvent to form the solution of the fugitive constituent in the solvent and form the nondissolved residue of the non-soluble constituent. The precursor material and the non-soluble residue are sufficiently insoluble in the solvent such that there is insufficient precursor material and non-soluble residue in solution to deposit and precipitate upon the residue of the non-soluble-constituent.

Abstract: A metallic interconnect for use in planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks with metal gauzes disposed in border pieces at the cathodes and anodes providing the electrical conduction between the cell and an interconnect foil and also providing structure for directing gas across the cell surface.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting alpha-alumina to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of alpha-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where alpha-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-beta″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the alpha-alumina to an alkali-metal-beta″-alumina.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting alpha-alumina to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of alpha-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where alpha-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-beta″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the alpha-alumina to an alkali-metal-beta″-alumina.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting &agr;-alumina to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of &agr;-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where &agr;-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the &agr;-alumina to an alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina.

Abstract: A metallic interconnect for use in planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks with metal gauzes disposed in border pieces at the cathodes and anodes providing the electrical conduction between the cell and an interconnect foil and also providing structure for directing gas across the cell surface.

Abstract: A t′-phase zirconia shapes with superior properties are made by forming a zirconia powder containing a rare-earth-oxide dopant into sintered bodies. The sintered bodies are heat treated in an oxygen atmosphere at a temperature high enough to form a cubic phase. The heated body is then cooled rapidly to form a t′-phase. The t′-phase is characterized with a large grain size, is resistant to transformation, low temperature degradation, and has excellent toughness, and creep resistance. Rare earth-oxide dopants include yttria, scandia, erbia, and ceria. For yttria doped materials, the sintered body is doped with between 2.5 and 5 mole percent yttria.

Abstract: A t′-phase zirconia shapes with superior properties are made by forming a zirconia powder containing a rare-earth-oxide dopant into sintered bodies. The sintered bodies are heat treated in an oxygen atmosphere at a temperature high enough to form a cubic phase. The heated body is then cooled rapidly to form a t′-phase. The t′-phase is characterized with a large grain size, is resistant to transformation, low temperature degradation, and has excellent toughness, and creep resistance. Rare earth-oxide dopants include yttria, scandia, erbia, and ceria. For yttria doped materials, the sintered body is doped with between 2.5 and 5 mole percent yttria.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting .alpha.-alumina to alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of .alpha.-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina converted from .alpha.-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where .alpha.-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-.beta."-alumina is preferably introduced into the .alpha.-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the .alpha.-alumina to an alkali-metal-.beta."-alumina.