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: A method of depositing a film of a metal having a volatilization temperature higher than 350° C., as well as, a composite material including the same are disclosed. The method can include providing the source material in a vacuum deposition processing chamber, and providing a substrate in the vacuum deposition processing chamber. The substrate can be spaced apart from, but in fluid communication with, the source material, and also maintained at a substrate temperature that is lower than the volatilization temperature. The method can also include reducing an internal pressure of the vacuum deposition processing chamber to a pressure between 0.1 and 14,000 pascals; volatilizing the source material into a volatilized metal by heating the source material to a first temperature that is higher than the volatilization temperature; and transporting the volatilized metal to the substrate using a heated carrier gas, whereby the volatilized metal deposits on the substrate and forms the metal film.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process of preparing a nanopowder by using a natural source starting material wherein the nano powder is a nano metal or nano alloy or nano metal oxide or nano metal carbide or nano compound or nano composite or nanofluid. The nano product produced by the process has novel properties such as enhanced hardness, antibacterial properties, thermal properties, electrical properties, abrasive resistant, wear resistant, superior frictional properties, sliding wear resistance, enhanced tensile strength, compression strengths, enhanced load bearing capacity and corrosion properties.

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: Provided herein are nanofibers and processes of preparing nanofibers. In some instances, the nanofibers are metal and/or ceramic nanofibers. In some embodiments, the nanofibers are high quality, high performance nanofibers, highly coherent nanofibers, highly continuous nanofibers, or the like. In some embodiments, the nanofibers have increased coherence, increased length, few voids and/or defects, and/or other advantageous characteristics. In some instances, the nanofibers are produced by electrospinning a fluid stock having a high loading of nanofiber precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock comprises well mixed and/or uniformly distributed precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock is converted into a nanofiber comprising few voids, few defects, long or tunable length, and the like.

Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1YM2Z(CN)N·MH2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.

Abstract: A lead-carbon compound that is a reaction product of lead and carbon, wherein the lead and the carbon form a single phase material that is meltable. The compound is one in which the carbon does not phase separate from the lead when the single phase material is heated to a melting temperature.

Abstract: A metal alloy for use in a wire included in an electrochemical cell is disclosed having an amorphous structure, microcrystalline grains, or grains that are sized less than about one micron. In various embodiments, the microcrystalline grains are not generally longitudinally oriented, are variably oriented, or are randomly oriented. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains lack uniform grain size or are variably sized. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 5 microns. In some embodiments, the metal alloy lacks long-range crystalline order among the microcrystalline grains. In some embodiments, the wire is used in a substrate used in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the metal alloy is formed using a co-extrusion process comprising warming up the metallic alloy and applying pressure and simultaneously passing a core material through a die to obtain a composite structure.

Abstract: A novel multiband absorption based solar cell is disclosed by using the europium chalcogenides (EuX, X?O, S, Se, Te) and related magnetic semiconductor materials, in which an intermediate band is formed by the localized Eu 4f electrons between p-states of chalcogen ions and Eu s-d states. The energy gaps among the multibands can be in the spectral range of the sunlight, thus they can serve as better sunlight absorbers in solar cells than the conventional single band-gap semiconductors such as Si and GaAs. With these multiband semiconductors, the bottleneck in current power conversion efficiency can be potentially overcome in single junction photovoltaics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation shielding member having improved radiation absorption performance, including 80.0˜99.0 wt % of a polymer matrix or metal matrix and 1.0˜20.0 wt % of a radiation shielding material in the form of nano-particles having a size of 10˜900 nm as a result of pulverization, wherein the radiation shielding material is homogeneously dispersed in the matrix through powder mixing or melt mixing after treatment with a surfactant which is the same material as the matrix or which has high affinity for the matrix. A preparation method thereof is also provided. This radiation shielding member including the nano-particles as the shielding material further increases the collision probability of the shielding material with radiation, compared to conventional shielding members including micro-particles, thus reducing the mean free path of radiation in the shielding member, thereby exhibiting superior radiation shielding effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of identifying molecules that cooperatively and positively interact with either a ligand or a target molecule of a ligand/target molecule pair, or molecules that interact with a ligand/target molecule complex.

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: A lead calcium tin alloy to which cobalt has been added is described. The alloy is useful in the formation of anodes to be used in electrowinning cells. Electrowinning cells containing the cobalt alloys are particularly suited for electrowinning metals, such as copper, from sulfuric acid electrolytes. The cobalt-containing anodes improve the efficiency of oxygen evolution at the anode during electrowinning and reduce corrosion of the anode.

Abstract: Stable atomic quantum clusters, AQCs, characterized by being composed of at least 500 metal atoms, its production process characterized by having a kinetic control and by maintaining a low concentration of reagents in the reaction medium, as well as the uses of these clusters as sensors (fluorescent, magnetic or chemical), electrocatalysts and as cytostatics and/or cytotoxics.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrode material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising the steps of mixing a metal compound (a) of a metal (a′) capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium, a transition metal compound (b) of a transition metal (b′) and a complexing agent (c) with a solvent (d) to obtain a mixed solution, mixing a reducing agent (e) with said mixed solution to obtain a mixture, and oxidizing said reducing agent in said mixture to reduce ion of said metal (a′) and ion of said transition metal (b′) to obtain an amorphous alloy material capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium as said electrode material. An electrode structural body in which said electrode material is used, and a rechargeable lithium battery in which said electrode material is used.

Abstract: Recrystallized lead and lead alloy positive electrodes for lead acid batteries having an increased percentage of special grain boundaries in the microstructure, preferably to at least 50%, which have been provided by a process comprising steps of working or straining the lead or lead alloy, and subsequently annealing the lead or lead alloy. Either a single cycle of working and annealing can be provided, or a plurality of such cycles can be provided. The amount of cold work or strain, the recrystallization time and temperature, and the number of repetitions of such steps are selected to ensure that a substantial increase in the population of special grain boundaries is provided in the microstructure, to improve resistance to creep, intergranular corrosion and intergranular cracking of the electrodes during battery service, and result in extended battery life and the opportunity to reduce the size and weight of the battery.

Abstract: A solder composition that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is conventionally difficult is provided. The solder is particularly useful for reliable bonding and packaging of optical components that often have oxide surfaces. The solder composition exhibits a microstructure containing a solder matrix in which is distributed fine, micron-scale islands of rare-earth-containing intermetallic particles. The existence of the islands makes the rare earth elements better available for bonding, and reduce the extent to which the rare earths are oxidized. Advantageously, the solder contains Au and/or Ag, in which the rare earth elements tend to have some solid solubility. Due to this solubility, the Au and/or Ag tend to provide some additional protection of the rare earths against oxidation, and thereby also provide accelerated dissolution of the rare earth into the molten solder.

Abstract: The invention provides an article comprising a solder that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is problematic. The solder composition contains one or more rare earth elements, which react with the oxide or other surface to promote bonding, and further contains sufficient Au and/or Ag to act as carriers for the rare earths. Because rare earths have some solid solubility in Au and Ag, the problem of intermetallic formation is lessened or eliminated, and improved bonding to oxide surfaces is attained.

Abstract: An anode for use in zinc electrowinning is described. The anode is made of a lead-silver alloy which has been cast as a billet rolled and subjected to heat treatment either during or after rolling. The temperature of treatment is high enough to cause recrystallization of the alloy and to prevent precipitation of any alloying elements. The anode has a surface grain structure which facilitates rapid oxidation of the anode to condition the anode. The anode preferably contains at least 0.03 to 0.45% silver and Lip to 0.08% calcium.

Abstract: A process for altering surface properties of a mass of metal alloy solder comprising a first metal and a second metal. The process comprises exposing the mass to energized ions to preferentially sputter atoms of the first metal to form a surface layer ratio of first metal to second metal atoms that is less than the bulk ratio. The solder may be located on the surface of a substrate, wherein the process may further comprise masking the substrate to shield all but a selected area from the ion beam. The sputtering gas may comprises a reactive gas such as oxygen and the substrate may be an organic substrate. The process may further comprise simultaneously exposing the organic substrate to energized ions of the reactive gas to roughen the organic substrate surface.

Abstract: Lead and lead-alloy anodes for electrowinning metals such as zinc, copper, lead, tin, nickel and manganese from sulfuric acid solutions, whereby the electrodes are processed by a repetitive sequence of cold deformation and recrystallization heat treatment, within specified limits of deformation, temperature and annealing time, to achieve an improved microstructure consisting of a high frequency of special low .SIGMA. CSL grain boundaries (i.e.>50%). The resultant electrodes possess significantly improved resistance to intergranular corrosion, and yield (1) extended service life, (2) the potential for reduction in electrode thickness with a commensurate increase in the number of electrodes per electrowinning cell, and (3) the opportunity to extract higher purity metal product.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for identifying off-composition solder columns of for example, a ceramic column grid array. The method is performed at the ceramic module level prior to card assembly to avoid costly loss or rework post card assembly. The assembly of solder columns on a substrate is heated to a temperature below the melting temperature of pure-composition solder and above the temperature of attachment of a solder column to an organic board. Heating the assembly produces visually detectable changes characteristic of off-composition solder which are used for identifying which solder columns are composed of off-composition solder.

Abstract: A tin-lead alloy solder is provided which exhibits high joint strength under conditions which are likely to induce fatigue fracture. The tin-lead alloy solder comprises 15-80 wt. % lead, 0.1-5 wt. % silver, 0.1-10 wt. % antimony, and 0.0005-0.3 phosphorus, the balance being tin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single source metalloorganic precursor compound of the formula:(2-NR-Q-).sub.l M-A.sub.m (I=0-4, m=0-4, l+m=2 or 4)wherein M is selected form the Group 14 elements of Germanium, Tin or Lead;A and R are independently selected from: amide, alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl, substituted aryl, or -Q'-2-NR'L.sub.n (n=1-4) wherein L is selected from nothing or a Lewis base ligand;Q and Q' are each independently selected from Group VIa elements of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium; and2-NR and 2-NR' are each independently selected from N-heterocyclic aryl or its derivatives.Methods of producing these compounds are also disclosed. These precursor materials provide in a single compound the binary, tertiary, or quaternary metals in a ratio to each other that is controllable by a judicious choice of metal atoms and organic substituents. The metal alloys are useful in a variety for electronic applications, particularly in semiconductors and solar energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connection method for a semiconductor material enabling a formation of a bump electrode with a wire bonder, keeping always a cutting position of the wire at a specified position and improving a continuous workability and stability and to a connection material to be used in the connecting method, wherein any one of Pb, Sn, In is applied as a major element and the alloy having additive elements mixed with it is made as a fine wire under a rapid cooling and condensation process and further to a semiconductor device made by the above-mentioned connecting method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connection method for a semiconductor material enabling a formation of a bump electrode with a wire bonder, keeping always a cutting position of the wire at a specified position and improving a continuous workability and stability and to a connection material to be used in the connecting method, wherein any one of Pb, Sn, In is applied as a major element and the alloy having additive elements mixed with it is made as a fine wire under a rapid cooling and condensation process and further to a semiconductor device made by the above-mentioned connecting method.

Abstract: Target for reactive sputtering in a vacuum coating apparatus consists of at least one of tin and lead doped with 20 to 200 ppm gallium and 2 to 20 ppm phosphorus.

Abstract: In a process of producing strip or wire, which consists of a monotectic aluminum-silicon alloy comprising a matrix consisting of aluminum and an aluminum-silicon eutectic system and as a minority phase 1 to 50% by weight lead or bismuth included in said matrix, which strip or wire has been continuously cast at a high casting velocity and a high cooling rate from a molten material which has been heated to a temperature above the segregation temperature, and which strip or wire has been subjected to plastic deformation and to a heat treatment, the minority phase which is embedded in the form of elongate platelets in the strip or wire is transformed to more compact shapes by a heat treatment at temperatures of 550.degree. to 600.degree. C.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic component part comprising (i) a high thermal conductivity ceramic circuit board, (ii) terminal pins located over said circuit board, and (iii) a metal brazing material having metal brazing powder, at least one element selected from the Group IVa elements and a metal having a melting point higher than that of the metal brazing powder, the metal brazing material bonding said board and said pins. According to the present invention, metal, such as input/output terminal pins can very firmly be bonded to ceramic, such as a circuit board, within an atmosphere of, for example, N.sub.2 gas without the scattering of any brazing material in which case, unlike the prior art method, any vacuum furnace is not employed.

Abstract: A composition of lead and aluminum is disclosed with particular utility as a battery grid material. Rapid solidification techniques permit manufacture of a composition with between about 0.1% and 20% by weight aluminum, and the balance lead.

Abstract: The corrosion resistance of an insoluble anode for use under high current condition, which anode may be made from iron or copper for example, is improved by coating the anode with an alloy of lead, tin and indium.

Abstract: Soft-solder alloys for connecting ceramic parts without permetallization comprising 86 to 99% lead or tin, 0 to 13% silver and/or copper, 0 to 10% indium and 1 to 10% titanium and/or zirconium.

Abstract: A system for alloying lead with minor amounts of alloyants which have a higher melting point than, and a lower solid solubility in, lead. The system includes a melting furnace retaining Pb melt at a first temperature, a sealed vessel containing chunks of alloyant-rich material, a heated conduit between the furnace and the vessel for conducting melt to the vessel while heating it to the melting temperature of the material in the vessel, a conduit for returning superheated melt from the vessel to the furnace and a pump for circulating a small portion of the melt from the furnace through the vessel for dissolution of the alloyant into that portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material comprising a porous lead alloy containing from 0.7 to 1.0% silver or 0.1 to 1.0% calcium or 0.7 to 1.0% silver and 0.1 to 1.0% calcium and having its pores filled by a resin such as epoxy resin. The product has utility as a battery electrode and as a sound absorbing material.

Abstract: A lead based, tin free alloy is modified by adding thereto about 0.5 to 4 weight percent of tin. The alloy is rapidly solidified by forming a melt thereof containing the tin addition and quenching the melt on a moving chill surface at a quenching rate of at least about 10.sup.5 .degree. C./sec. Addition of the tin inhibits formation of lead oxide film in the rapidly solidified alloy and substantially increases the storage life thereof.

Abstract: An acoustical transducer is provided with an acoustically absorbant backing material having an acoustical impedance precisely matching the impedance of the piezoelectric element in the transducer. The backing material is a multiphase mixture of selected materials, such as a low melting point alloy (InPb) and one or more powders having high impedance characteristics (tungsten and copper). The slope of the curve impedance versus volume fraction of the backing components is low, thus allowing the impedance of the material to be precisely controlled. The backing material is preferably electrically conductive and is fuzed to one surface of the piezoelectric element to further improve the output characteristics of the transducer.

Abstract: A soft solder of Pb alloy for semiconductor devices that contains 1 to 65 wt % of Sn or In or both, the balance being Pb and incidental impurities which include less than 50 ppb of radioisotopes and the count of radioactive alpha-particles being not more than 0.5 CPH/cm.sup.2. The solder exhibits high adhesive strength and good wettability. The properties of this material may be further improved by addition of 1 to 10 wt % of Ag.

Abstract: Calcium and aluminum are alloyed into lead by adding a eutectic calcium-aluminum alloy to molten lead preferably at a temperature of at least 1020.degree.. The eutectic alloy contains about 73% calcium and about 27% aluminum.

Abstract: A process for metal-enrichment of lead bullion, wherein an alkali metal-desired metal intermetallic, such as sodium-antimony intermetallic, is added as a refining dross to the bullion and the desired metal is stripped from the dross and recovered as an enriched bullion. The process includes the steps of heating the lead bullion, in which the desired metal is to be recovered, to a temperature between 650.degree. F. and 900.degree. F.; agitating the molten bullion; adding said alkali metal-desired metal intermetallic to said bullion; mixing said intermetallic into said bullion; adding a stripping reagent for stripping said desired metal from said intermetallic; forming a desired metal-enriched lead bullion and a residue dross substantially void of said desired metal; and separating said enriched bullion from said residue dross. The process may also require a cleansing step to cleanse said enriched lead bullion of any said alkali metal in solution.

Abstract: As an article for manufacture, a tin, lead, indium, and alloys of each, admixed with a carbide or carbonyl former, for forming these with said tin, lead and indium, and their alloys into an "active" alloy form; these "active" alloy forms are suitable for making wettable carbon, graphite, diamond, sapphire, alumina, metal carbide, quartz, silicon metal, etc., composites which will not dewet upon heating but form strong bonds; methods for preparing said composites of various shapes, layers, coatings, and sandwiches; alloys, preforms and various metal-graphite, diamond, sapphire, alumina, metal carbide, quartz, silicon metal etc., structures also disclosed.

Abstract: Extraction of non-lead components (e.g. tin, indium, etc.) from solder joints with monocarboxylic acids of alkylated hydrophenanthrene nuclei to increase the lead content of the solder joints.