Abstract: An iridium alloy includes iridium, platinum, and tantalum. A content of the platinum in the iridium alloy falls within a range from 5 wt % to 30 wt %, and a content of the tantalum in the iridium alloy falls within a range from 0.3 wt % to 5 wt %.

Abstract: A method for growing beta phase of gallium oxide (?-Ga2O3) single crystals from the melt contained within a metal crucible surrounded by a thermal insulation and heated by a heater. A growth atmosphere provided into a growth furnace has a variable oxygen concentration or partial pressure in such a way that the oxygen concentration reaches a growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2?, C2?) in the concentration range (SC) of 5-100 vol. % below the melting temperature (MT) of Ga2O3 or at the melting temperature (MT) or after complete melting of the Ga2O3 starting material adapted to minimize creation of metallic gallium amount and thus eutectic formation with the metal crucible. During the crystal growth step of the ?-Ga2O3 single crystal from the melt at the growth temperature (GT) the growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2?, C2?) is maintained within the oxygen concentration range (SC).

Abstract: The present invention is a heat-resistant Ni-base alloy including a Ni—Ir—Al—W alloy having essential additive elements of Ir, Al, and W added to Ni, wherein the heat-resistant Ni-base alloy includes Ir: 5.0 to 50.0 mass %, Al: 1.0 to 8.0 mass %, and W: 5.0 to 20.0 mass %, the balance being Ni, and a ?? phase having an L12 structure disperses in a matrix as an essential strengthening phase. The heat-resistant material including the Ni-base alloy may contain one or more additive elements selected from B: 0.001 to 0.1 mass %, Co: 5.0 to 20.0 mass %, Cr: 1.0 to 25.0 mass %, Ta: 1.0 to 10.0 mass %, Nb: 1.0 to 5.0 mass %, Ti: 1.0 to 5.0 mass %, V: 1.0 to 5.0 mass %, and Mo: 1.0 to 5.0 mass %, or 0.001 to 0.5 mass % of C.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat-resistant material comprising a Rh-based alloy, wherein the Rh-based alloy is a high heat-resistant and high strength alloy comprising a Rh-based alloy where Al and W as essential additive elements are added to Rh (0.2 to 15.0 mass % of Al, 15.0 to 45.0 mass % of W and Rh as the remainder), and a ?? phase (Rh3 (Al, W)) having an L12 structure is dispersed as a strengthening phase in a matrix. The Rh-based alloy of the present invention can be further improved in workability and high temperature oxidation characteristics by optionally adding B, C, Mg, Ca, Y, La or misch metals, Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ti, Nb, Ta, V, Zr, Hf, Ir, Re, Pd, Pt or Ru as an additive element. The Rh-based alloy of the present invention is a heat-resistant material having excellent high-temperature-resistant characteristics and a good balance of factors such as weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iridium alloy suitable for a wire rod for probe pins, with zirconium as an additive element contained as an essential element and with aluminum and/or copper further added. In this iridium alloy, the additive concentration of zirconium is 100 to 500 ppm and the total additive concentration of aluminum and copper is 10 to 500 ppm. The present invention will be able to meet such requirements placed on a material for probe pins as that further miniaturization thereof would be demanded in the future and that use environment thereof becomes severe.

Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to shaped transition metal particles, in particular in the form of a dispersion in an aqueous and/or organic medium, the manufacture thereof and their use as an infrared (IR) absorbing agent, an IR curing agent for coatings, an additive in conductive formulations, an antimicrobial agent or for sensoring organic and/or inorganic compounds. Further, the invention relates to dispersions comprising said shaped particles and an aqueous and/or organic medium, such as a thermoplastic or crosslinkable polymer, as well as to antimicrobial compositions and products.

Abstract: Electrode catalysts for fuel cells, a method of manufacturing the same, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including the same, and a fuel cell including the MEA are provided. The electrode catalysts include a first catalyst alloy containing palladium (Pd), cobalt (Co), and phosphorus (P), a second catalyst alloy containing palladium (Pd) and phosphorus (P), and a carbon-based support to support the catalysts.

Abstract: The addition of 0.5 to 30 ppm boron and 0.5 to 20 ppm calcium to iridium and the Zr- and Hf-free alloys thereof and rhodium and the Zr- and Hf-free alloys thereof surprisingly increases the creep rupture strength at high temperatures, in particular around 1,800° C.

Abstract: The present invention is a metallic wire rod comprising iridium or an iridium-containing alloy and, the wire rod has in the cross section thereof biaxial crystal orientation of 50% or more of abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction. In the present invention, crystal orientation in the outer periphery from semicircle of the cross section which is the periphery of the wire rod is important, and in this zone, abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction is preferably not less than 50%.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing biodiesel fuel having an excellent oxidative stability and fluidity at low temperature, wherein the method provides selective hydrogenation of a poly-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester to the mono-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester while inhibiting the formation of the trans-isomer, and a biodiesel fuel composition. In the method for producing biodiesel fuel, a fatty acid alkyl ester prepared from fat and/or waste edible oil by transesterification reaction, and/or (2) a fatty acid alkyl ester treated by esterification reaction of a fatty acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst containing at least one of noble metals selected from those of Groups 8-10 in the periodic table under low hydrogen pressure.

Abstract: A porous catalyst layer formed from discrete particles of unsupported metal, wherein at least 80%, suitably at least 90%, of the discrete particles have a mass of from 1 to 1000 zeptograms, and wherein the catalyst layer has a metal volume fraction of less than 30% and a metal loading of less than 0.09 mg/cm2 is disclosed. The catalyst layer is suitable for use in fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising catalyst metal particles of noble metal-base metal-Ce (cerium) ternary alloy carried on carbon materials, wherein the noble metal is at least one member selected from among Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Au, the base metal is at least one member selected from among Ir, Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the relative proportion (i.e., the molar proportion) of noble metal:base metal:Ce (cerium) is 20 to 95:5 to 60:0.1 to 3. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell inhibits deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or an electrolyte in an electrode catalyst layer, improves durability, and, in particular, improves the capacity for power generation in the high current density region.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to shaped transition metal particles, in particular in the form of a dispersion in an aqueous and/or organic medium, the manufacture thereof and their use as an infrared (IR) absorbing agent, an IR curing agent for coatings, an additive in conductive formulations, an antimicrobial agent or for sensoring organic and/or inorganic compounds. Further, the invention relates to dispersions comprising said shaped particles and an aqueous and/or organic medium, such as a thermoplastic or crosslinkable polymer, as well as to antimicrobial compositions and products.

Abstract: Methods of the invention allow rapid production of high-porous, large-surface-area nanostructured metal and/or metal oxide at attractive low cost applicable to a wide variety of commercial applications such as sensors, catalysts and photovoltaics.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are generally directed to a magnetic shield capable of screening magnetic flux with in-plane anisotropy. Various embodiments of the present invention may have at least one magnetic shield. The shield may be constructed of a Cobalt-Iridium compound capable of providing in-plane anisotropy along a longitudinal plane of the shield.

Abstract: A spark plug comprises a shell having a substantially cylindrical threaded portion for threadable engagement in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, an insulator disposed coaxially in the shell, a center electrode disposed coaxially in the insulator, a side ground electrode having a first end coupled to the shell and a second end facing an end of the center electrode to define a spark discharge gap therebetween, and an electrode tip portion secured to either the side ground electrode or the center electrode proximate the spark discharge gap. The tip portion is formed from an alloy comprising from about 60 to about 70 percent by weight iridium, from about 30 to about 35 percent by weight rhodium, from 0 to about 10 percent by weight nickel, from about 3500 to about 4500 parts per million tantalum, and from about 100 to about 200 parts per million zirconium.

Abstract: In order to produce a coating on a substrate, the substrate is placed adjacent to a target. Material is cold ablated off the target by focusing a number of consecutive laser pulses on the target, thus producing a number of consecutive plasma fronts that move at least partly to the direction of said substrate. The time difference between said consecutive laser pulses is so short that constituents resulting from a number of consecutive plasma fronts form a nucleus on a surface of the substrate where a mean energy of said constituents allows the spontaneous formation of a crystalline structure.

Abstract: A method for producing a spark plug which contains an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, a spark plug body surrounding the insulator, and two electrodes forming an ignition gap. The first electrode is a center electrode connected to the inner conductor in an electrically conducting manner and the second electrode is a ground electrode connected to the spark plug body in an electrically conducting manner. An iridium component which contains more than 95 percent by weight of iridium is welded onto one of the electrodes. An iridium component that is punched out of an iridium sheet and has a thickness that is less in size than its diameter is also employed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material for a precious metal tip of a spark plug, which has more excellent durability, particularly oxidation wear resistance than a conventional one. The precious metal alloy for the spark plug according to the present invention contains 0.2 to 6.0 wt. % Cr as an essential component, further at least any one of Fe or Ni, and the balance being Ir. Here, the amount of Fe and Ni to be added is preferably 2.0 to 12.0 wt. % in total. According to the present invention, the surface may be oxidized to form an oxide layer made from a Cr—Fe oxide, a Cr—Ni oxide or a Cr—Fe—Ni oxide. The oxide layer is formed by a diffusion treatment by heating the precious metal alloy at 300 to 900° C. in an oxidative atmosphere, and preferably has a thickness of 5 to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A supported catalyst includes a carbonaceous catalyst support and first metal-second metal alloy catalyst particles adsorbed on the surface of the carbonaceous catalyst support, wherein the difference between a D10 value and a D90 value is in the range of 0.1 to 10 nm, wherein the D10 value is a mean diameter of a randomly selected 10 wt % of the first metal-second metal alloy catalyst particles and the D90 value is a mean diameter of a randomly selected 90 wt % of the alloy catalyst particles. The supported catalyst has excellent membrane efficiency in electrodes for fuel cells due to uniform alloy composition of a catalyst particle and supported catalysts that do not agglomerate.

Abstract: The addition of 0.5 to 30 ppm boron and 0.5 to 20 ppm calcium to iridium and the Zr- and Hf-free alloys thereof and rhodium and the Zr- and Hf-free alloys thereof surprisingly increases the creep rupture strength at high temperatures, in particular around 1,800° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing electrode catalyst materials for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and particularly to a high-performance platinum-non-platinum mixed electrode catalyst (Pt—RuOs/C) having a physically mixed structure of RuOs alloy and platinum materials, which is prepared by adding a small amount of platinum (Pt) to RuOs alloy materials highly dispersed on a carbon support, where the amount of platinum used is drastically reduced as compared to the conventional platinum materials, thus lowering the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An iridium alloy is produced having at least 85% by weight iridium, at least 0.005% by weight molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.6% by weight hafnium and, optionally, rhenium, the sum of molybdenum and hafnium being between 0.002 and 1.2% by weight. The iridium alloy is produced in a process, in which an IrMo and an IrHf master alloy, respectively, are created in an electric arc and immersed into an iridium melt, optionally together with Re.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iridium alloy suitable for a wire rod for probe pins, with zirconium as an additive element contained as an essential element and with aluminum and/or copper further added. In this iridium alloy, the additive concentration of zirconium is 100 to 500 ppm and the total additive concentration of aluminum and copper is 10 to 500 ppm. The present invention will be able to meet such requirements placed on a material for probe pins as that further miniaturization thereof would be demanded in the future and that use environment thereof becomes severe.

Abstract: Alloy compositions, including devices and instruments that include the compositions, are disclosed. The compositions have high hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. The compositions can be used to manufacture, for example, medical devices and products.

Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant with a base body composed entirely or in parts of a biocorrodible manganese alloy.

Abstract: An iridium-based alloy which has L12-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein and has a basic composition including, in terms of mass proportion, 0.1 to 9.0% Al, 1.0 to 45% W, and Ir as the remainder. The component system containing 0.1 to 1.5% Al has L12-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein. The component system containing 1.5 to 9.0%, excluding 1.5%, Al has L12-type and B2-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein. Part of the Ir may be replaced with an element (X) (Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Rh, Re, Pd, Pt, or Ru) and part of the Al and W may be replaced with an element (Z) (Ni, Ti, Nb, Zr, V, Ta, Hf, or Mo). The iridium-based alloy, which contains L12-type intermetallic compounds [1r3(Al,W) and [(Ir, X)3(Al, W, Z)] dispersedly precipitated therein, has a high melting point. The lattice constant mismatch between the L12-type intermetallic compounds, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a single-stage production method that enables the production of ultra fine metal nanoparticles and ordered alloy nanoparticles within solution. The production method includes irradiating a solution of a salt or complex of a metal element, thereby decomposing and/or reducing the salt or complex within the solution and generating metal nanoparticles having an average particle size within a range from 0.3 to 100 nm within the solution.

Abstract: An iridium alloy consists essentially of iridium and at least one of W and Zr, and optionally Rh. When present, W comprises between 0.01 and 5 wt % of the alloy; when present in combination with W, Zr comprises between 0.01 and 0.5 wt % of the alloy; when present alone or in combination with Rh only, Zr comprises between 0.01 and 0.09 wt % of the alloy; and when present, Rh comprises between 0.1 and 5 wt % of the alloy. The alloys may be modified by the addition of platinum and other platinum group metals and base metals. The alloys demonstrate enhanced physical and chemical properties and are suitable for use as electrode materials in spark plugs and other high temperature applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iridium alloy of at least 85% by weight iridium, at least 0.005% by weight molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.6% by weight hafnium and, if necessary, rhenium, the sum of molybdenum and hafnium being between 0.002 and 1.2% by weight, and to a process for the production of an iridium alloy, an IrMo and an IrHf master alloy, respectively, being produced in the electric arc and immersed into an iridium melt, if necessary together with Re.

Abstract: An iridium-based alloy which has Ll2-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein and has a basic composition including, in terms of mass proportion, 0.1 to 9.0% Al, 1.0 to 45% W, and Ir as the remainder. The component system containing 0.1 to 1.5% Al has L12-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein. The component system containing 1.5 to 9.0%, excluding 1.5%, Al has Ll2-type and B2-type intermetallic compounds dispersedly precipitated therein. Part of the Ir may be replaced with an element (X) (Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Rh, Re, Pd, Pt, or Ru) and part of the Al and W may be replaced with an element (Z) (Ni, Ti, Nb, Zr, V, Ta, Hf, or Mo). The iridium-based alloy, which contains L12-type intermetallic compounds [1r3(Al,W) and [(Ir, X)3(Al, W, Z)] dispersedly precipitated therein, has a high melting point. The lattice constant mismatch between the L12-type intermetallic compounds, i.e.

Abstract: It is aimed at creating noble metal nanoparticles having novel shapes, sizes, and arrangements usable for catalysts, electrodes, and the like. Micelles made into rod-like shapes having semicylindrical cross-sections are formed on a carrier substrate in a self-creating manner and immobilized thereon; noble metal ions are added and diffused in the micelles to complex the micelles with noble metal ions; and a reducing agent is subsequently caused to act thereon to progress a reductive reaction of noble metal within the immobilized micelles as reaction fields, thereby growing single crystalline noble metal ultrathin-film nanoparticles on the carrier substrate by utilizing the fixed micelles having the shapes as templates, respectively.

Abstract: A manganese alloy sputtering target characterized in that oxygen is 1000 ppm or less, sulfur is 200 ppm or less and a forged texture is provided, and a method for producing a forged manganese alloy target stably by eliminating the drawbacks of manganese alloy that it is susceptible to cracking and has a low rupture strength. A manganese alloy sputtering target which can form a thin film exhibiting high characteristics and high corrosion resistance while suppressing generation of nodules or particles is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing a copper/palladium colloid catalyst useful for Suzuki couplings.

Abstract: An alloy composition includes, in atomic percent: about 1 to about 10% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr and Hf, balance Ir.

Abstract: A hard precious metal alloy member is constituted of a gold alloy, which has a gold Au content of from 37.50 to 98.45 wt %, and contains a hardening additive in a range of not less than 50 ppm but less than 15,000 ppm, wherein the hardening additive is constituted of gadolinium Gd only, or gadolinium Gd and at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements other than Gd, alkaline-earth elements, silicon Si, aluminum Al, and boron B.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal sputtering target having a columnar crystallographic microstructure such that crystals are grown in a direction normal to the sputtering surface in order to solve conventional problems. The high-purity sputtering target of the present invention prevents chipping of a minute cluster mass that occurs in a sputtering target produced through casting or powder metallurgy; produces thin film of excellent quality; and has considerably reduced internal defects.

Abstract: Emissive iridium (III) complexes suitable for use in an emissive layer of an OLED and having the structure: 1

Abstract: A high-melting superalloy made of iridium or rhodium or both thereof as a base and containing at least nickel together with at least one a metal selected from the metal group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and tantalum, wherein at least both phases of an fcc phase and an LI2 phase are formed in the texture, and an amount of the LI2 phase from 20 to 80% by volume.

Abstract: A cathode material of an electron beam device comprising 0.5 to 9.0% by weight of a rare-earth metal of the cerium group, 0.5 to 15.0% by weight of tungsten and/or rhenium, 0.5 to 10% by weight of hafnium and the balance of iridium is provided. Since the cathode material has excellent plasticity, it is easy to manufacture small-size emitters. Also, since the density of the electron emission of the cathode material is high and the working temperature is low, a long lifetime can be ensured. Also, the cathode material is useful as a cathode material of an electron beam device.

Abstract: Mn alloy materials for magnetic materials contain 500 ppm or less, preferably 100 ppm or less, oxygen, 100 ppm or less, probably 20 ppm or less, sulfur, and preferably a total of 1000 ppm or less, more preferably 500 ppm or less, impurities (elements other than Mn and the alloying component). The alloying component that forms an alloy with Mn is one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ir, Pt, pd, Rh, Ru, Ni, Cr and Co. Sputtering targets formed from the Mn alloy materials for use in depositing magnetic thin film, and the thin films so produced.

Abstract: High temperature alloys resistant to degradation and oxidation are provided. In accordance with preferred embodiments, alloys comprising from about 0.1 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, from about 10 to about 80 atomic percent aluminum, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, iridium, rhenium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium and tantalum are formed. Shaped bodies and structural members comprising such alloys are also described as are methods for their fabrication.

Abstract: Refractory superalloys consist essentially of a primary constituent selected from the group consisting of iridium, rhodium, and a mixture thereof, and one or more additive elements selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, hafnium, zirconium, uranium, vanadium, titanium and aluminum, and the superalloys having a microstructure containing an FCC-type crystalline structure phase and an L1.sub.2 -type crystalline structure phase are precipitated. Preferably the amount of additive element(s) is 2 to 22 atom %.

Abstract: A high temperature article, for example a rocket nozzle suitable for liquid-fuelled rocket motors for satellites, is formed from an alloy which is a binary or tertiary alloy from the Pt-Ir-Rh system. Such alloys exhibit a good balance between ease and reliability of manufacture, cost of alloy and high temperature strength and oxidation resistance.

Abstract: A new group of Os(II) and Os(III) compounds useful as redox mediators in electrochemical biosensors. These compounds have 1) low oxidation potential, 2) fast reaction kinetics between the electroactive center of an enzyme and the compound, 3) slow oxidation of osmium by oxygen, and 4) excellent solubility in aqueous medium. These mediators are particularly useful as a component of a reagent used in an electrochemical biosensor, wherein the biosensor is useful for measuring analytes from a biological fluid, such as blood.

Abstract: A rapid single step assay suitable for the detection or quantification of enzymes, in particular, hydrolases, especially, aminopeptidases and esterases. The enzymatic reaction causes the cleavage of a metal ligand labelled hydrolase substrate. The cleaved ligand alters the electrochemiluminescence of bidentate aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ligand reagent. The change in electrochemiluminescence correlates to the presence of hydrolase activity present in the sample. The assay can be performed on an IGEN Origen.RTM. Analyzer.

Abstract: A method of depositing a nitrogen-containing electrochromic iridium oxide film by sputtering iridium in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and nitrogen is disclosed for use in producing a transparent electrochromic article. The article includes electroconductive films, e.g., ITO, on two substrates, one of which has a superimposed electrochromic film, e.g., tungsten oxide, and the other of which has superimposed the iridium oxide film of the invention. An ion conductive layer between the electrochromic films completes the article.