Abstract: This invention is related to the preparation of an elongate conductor having a silver sheath, and a core of an aligned polycrystalline oxide superconductor having the approximate formula Bi.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x Sr.sub.2-a L.sub.a+b Ca.sub.1-b Cu.sub.2 O.sub.y where y is from 7.5 to 8.5, and L is a lanthanide. A powder mixture is formed comprised of a first portion of a superconducting bismuth oxide compound that can be reaction-sintered to form the core oxide superconductor, and a second portion of oxides suitable for reacting with the first portion to form the core oxide superconductor. An elongate body is formed having a silver sheath, and a core of the mixture. The body is deformed to align the first portion, and heated to reaction-sinter the first and second portions to form the core oxide superconductor.

Abstract: A method of forming the superconducting body comprises forming a body comprised of a precursor deposit of an oxide superconductor on a substrate formed from a silver alloy comprised of a solute metal from the group consisting of yttrium, aluminum, lithium, zirconium, alkaline earths, lanthanides, and mixtures thereof in an effective amount to form oxide particles that increase the hardness of the substrate, and the balance silver. The body is annealed in an oxidizing atmosphere to form the oxide particles in the substrate, and the deposit into a continuous oxide superconductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing composition suitable for bonding yttria or alumina ceramic members, or bonding refractory metals to the ceramics. The sealing composition has, in mole percent, about 0.5 to 40 percent yttria, about 45 to 65 percent alumina, up to 10 mole percent strontia, and the balance substantially calcia.

Abstract: A method of forming a superconducting tape having a silver sheath and a polycrystalline oxide superconductor core includes, forming at least one silver foil to have a receiving surface for supporting a deposit, and at least one enclosing surface that can cover the deposit and overlap another portion of the foil so that the surfaces form the sheath. The foil has a first thickness at the receiving surface and a second thickness at the enclosing surface. A precursor deposit of the superconductor is formed on the receiving surface. The enclosing surface is wrapped to cover the deposit and overlap another portion of the foil to form the sheath. The first and second thicknesses being preselected so that the thickness of the overlapping foils is equivalent to the thickness of foil oppositely facing the overlapping foils. The overlapping foils are sealed, and annealed to reaction-sinter the sealed deposit and form the tape.

Abstract: A lanthanide oxide selected from the group consisting of dysprosium oxide, erbium oxide, europium oxide, gadolium oxide and samarium oxide is formed into a compact and sintered to produce a body useful as a control rod material in a water cooled nuclear reactor. The lanthanide oxide is preferably combined with a corrosion stabilizing group 4A metal oxide such as hafnium oxide.

Abstract: A superconductive polycrystalline body is produced having a composition selected from the group consisting of Y.sub.1-x (Ln).sub.x Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-7, La.sub.1-x (Ln).sub.x Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-y and a combination thereof wherein x ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.5, y ranges up to about 0.3, and where Ln is selected from the group consisting of Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A mixture of uranium dioxide and additive of aluminosilicate composition is formed into a compact and sintered to produce a nuclear fuel wherein the uranium dioxide grains have an average grain size of at least about 20 microns and wherein substantially all of the grains are each enveloped by glassy aluminosilicate phase.

Abstract: A particulate mixture of uranium dioxide and additive of magnesium silicate composition is formed into a compact and sintered to produce a nuclear fuel wherein the uranium dioxide grains have an average grain size of at least about 20 microns and wherein substantially all of the grains are each enveloped with glassy magnesium silicate phase.

Abstract: A particulate mixture of uranium dioxide and additive of magnesium aluminosilicate composition is formed into a compact and sintered to produce a nuclear fuel wherein the uranium dioxide grains have an average grain size of at least about 20 microns and wherein substantially all of the grains are each enveloped with glassy magnesium aluminosilicate phase.