Abstract: A spring steel wire includes a main body made of a steel and having a line shape, and an oxidized layer covering an outer peripheral surface of the main body. The steel constituting the main body contains not less than 0.5 mass % and not more than 0.7 mass % C, not less than 1 mass % and not more than 2.5 mass % Si, not less than 0.2 mass % and not more than 1 mass % Mn, and not less than 0.5 mass % and not more than 2 mass % Cr, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel constituting the main body has a pearlite structure. The oxidized layer has a thickness of not less than 2 ?m and not more than 5 ?m. The oxidized layer contains not less than 60 mass % Fe3O4.

Abstract: An electromagnetic steel sheet that can maintain satisfactory processability and thermostability, and exhibit a high space factor when used as, for example, a motor or transformer core material is provided. Such electromagnetic steel sheet comprises a coat containing an organic material provided on one outermost surface thereof, and a coat containing low-melting glass provided at least partially on the other outermost surface thereof. A motor core comprising such electromagnetic steel sheet is also provided. A method for producing such electromagnetic steel sheet and a method for producing such motor core are also provided.

Abstract: A production method for making powder cosmetics having improved characteristics. The method includes mixing a powder component and an oil component as a binder using a mixing apparatus. The mixing apparatus is a facing rotor type mixing apparatus having a first rotor with a plurality of blades and a second rotor with a plurality of blades in a mixing chamber. The first rotor and the second rotor face each other and have rotating shafts on the same axis line. In the facing rotor type mixing apparatus, raw materials are fed into an introduction opening on a first rotor side. The raw materials are mixed by rotating the first rotor and the second rotor in the same or opposite directions to each other, and the mixed raw materials are discharged from a discharge opening on a second rotor side.

Abstract: Electrically conductive synthetic fiber and fibrous substrate (e.g. synthetic leather) are disclosed. The electrically conductive polymeric fiber and polymeric fibrous substrate are made electrically conductive by the use of an electrically conductive polymer disposed on the fibers and in contact with inorganic desiccant particles located at the surface of the fibers. The new material finds utility as an electrode for devices and as a resistive heating element, and as a pathway to efficient thermoelectrics.

Abstract: A highly durable, high-strength thermal shield element is provided for the interior lining of the combustion chamber of a gas turbine. For this purpose, the thermal shield element comprises a base produced from a solidified cast ceramic material into which a plurality of reinforcing elements are integrated, to increase the tensile strength of the thermal shield element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conductive fiber material comprising a base fiber material (1) including a textile fiber, a plurality of nanoparticles (20) deposited on an external surface (10) of said base fiber material, said nanoparticles including one or more metals or metal oxides and a conductive polymer layer deposited on said external surface including nanoparticles.

Abstract: A high temperature, high voltage cable having at least one multi-strand conductor whose resistance is controlled by tightness or looseness of pitch. Also, a high temperature, high voltage cable having at least one layer of ceramifiable polymer, and at least one layer of mica/glass. Also, a high temperature, high voltage cable including at least one layer of non-conductive inorganic material, and at least one layer of mica/glass tape. Also, a high temperature, high voltage sleeve having at least one layer of ceramifiable polymer and at least one layer of mica/glass. Also, a high temperature, high voltage sleeve including at least one layer of non-conductive inorganic material and at least one layer of mica/glass. Also a heating cable having at least one layer of mica/glass and at least one layer of thermally conductive and electrically insulating inorganic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-clad white laminate including: a white resin layer which is composed of a resin composition obtained by mixing a polyimide having a repeating unit as represented by a particular chemical structural formula with a white pigment; and at least one metal layer, the white resin layer being an adhesive layer for the metal layer. The metal-clad white laminate of the present invention uses a white resin composition which has high reflectance and whiteness and excellent light resistance, and is easy to be reduced in thickness and weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass strand provided with a coating based on a polymer chosen from vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers, polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride and which comprises a silane of formula Si(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4) in which: R1, R2 and R3, which are identical or different, represent a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group, a C2-C6 alkynyl group, a C6-C10 aryl group, a hydroxyl group, a C1-C6 alkoxy group, a C6-C10 aryloxy group, a C1-C6 acyloxy group or a C2-C7 alkylcarbonyl group, at least two of the R1, R2 and R3 groups representing a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group, and R4 represents a group including at least one epoxy functional group, an optionally substituted aryl group, a halogen atom or a group carrying at least one halogen atom, in particular a fluorine atom, a group including at least one aldehyde functional group, a group carrying at least one functional group including a sulfur or phosphorus atom, or an acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxy group, said group carry

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) is provided, made from an anode layer of tin oxide (SnO2) coated titanium oxide (TiO2) nanostructures that overlie a substrate top surface. A dye overlies the anode layer, and a cathode overlies the dye. The cathode may be a hole conducting layer having a solid state phase or a redox electrolyte, with a counter electrode. The TiO2 nanostructures may be TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanowires, or TiO2 nanotubes. In the case of TiO2 nanowires or TiO2 nanotubes, their center axes are perpendicular to the substrate top surface. Regardless of the TiO2 nanostructure morphology, the SnO2 coating thickness is in the range of 2 to 10 nanometers (nm). In one aspect, the SnO2 coated TiO2 nanostructures have a dielectric layer shell, which may have a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 2 nm.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant steel reinforcing rod system, including a steel reinforcing rod having a coefficient of thermal expansion of between about 14 ppm/° C. and about 17 ppm/° C. and a vitreous shell substantially encapsulating the steel reinforcing rod. The vitreous shell has a composition selected from the group consisting essentially, in weight percent, of about 40-45% SiO2, 3-5% Al2O3, 5-15% B2O3, 3-15% K2O, 5-20% Na2O, 4-7% CaO, 1-2% ZrO2, 0-2% NiO, 0-2% CoO, and 5-20% P2O5. The vitreous shell has a coefficient of thermal expansion between about 12.5 ppm/° C. and about 13.5 ppm/° C.

Abstract: Provided is an oxide superconducting wire material, wherein pinning of magnetic flux, under an environment in which magnetic field is applied, can be conducted efficiently towards any magnetic-field applying angle direction, to secure a high superconductive property. The oxide superconducting wire material (100) is provided with a metal substrate (110), an intermediate layer (120) formed upon the metal substrate (110), and a REBaCuO-system superconductive layer (140) formed upon the intermediate layer (120). RE comprises one or more elements selected from Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Ho. Oxide particles including Zr are distributed within the superconductive layer (140) as magnetic-flux pinning points (145), and the mole ratio (y) of Ba included within the superconductive layer (140) is, when the mole ratio of Zr is assumed to be x, within a range of (1.2+ax)?y?(1.8+ax), wherein 0.5?a?2.

Abstract: An FEP pellet having a volatile content of 0.2% by weight or less. The FEP pellet satisfies the following requirements (i) and (ii) when used to form a insulating material coating a core wire by extrusion coating at a coating speed of 2,800 ft/min.: (i) an adhesive strength between the insulating material and said core wire of 0.8 kg or more; and (ii) an average number of cone-breaks in the insulating material of one or less per 50,000 feet of the coated core wire.

Abstract: A strand is coated with a powdered material by first applying a layer of hot polymer resin to the strand, and spraying the powdered material onto the resin-coated strand from at least three nozzles disposed along the processing path and spaced radially therearound. The spray apparatus is disposed within nested containers so as to limit the escape of overspray powder. The powder-coated strand may be heat-set to increase the adhesion of the powder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a composite light-emitting material, which includes two or more light-emitting materials selected from an inorganic phosphor, a semiconductor nanocrystal and an organic dye in which the surfaces of the two or more light-emitting materials are coated; and a light-emitting device comprising the same, so as to improve the luminous efficiency and lifetime.

Abstract: Metal products having improved properties and processes for preparing the metal products are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a metal product comprising a metal surface, an oxide layer and a glass layer. The glass layer is provided by coating a stable aqueous silicate or borosilicate solution onto the metal surface and curing the aqueous solution to produce a glass layer. The metal products have surface characteristics that outperform current anodized metal surfaces.

Abstract: A fiber preform, including: a fiber core rod and an outer cladding layer. The ratio of the diameter of the fiber core rod to the diameter of the core layer thereof is 2.1-2.8. The fiber core rod and a small fluorine-doped quartz glass tube are melted to form a core rod assembly. The ratio of the diameter difference between the core rod assembly and the fiber core rod to the diameter of the core layer is 0.5-2.2. The relative refractive index difference of fluorine-doped quartz glass relative to purified quartz glass ?F is ?0.20% to ?0.35%. The core rod assembly is arranged with a large purified quartz glass tube, or directly deposited with a SiO2 glass cladding layer. A ratio of an effective diameter of the fiber preform to the diameter of the core rod assembly is 2.0-5.6. Methods for manufacturing the preform and a fiber are also provided.

Abstract: Bond wires for integrated circuits are implemented using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a composite bond wire is produced for use in an integrated circuit. A conductive material is melted and mixed with a material of particles less than 100 micrometers in size to create a mixture. The mixture is used to create the composite bond wire. A composite wire having an inner core and an outer layer having a higher conductivity than the inner core is also provided. The outer layer is designed to be thicker than the skin depth at the operating frequency for carrying AC signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flake compound which is useful for a conductive film. The flake compound comprises a conductive layer containing M and O, wherein M represents at least one metal element, preferably at least one transition metal element in mixed valent state.

Abstract: Modular plastic structural composites formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and one or both of: (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, or (C) polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: An FEP pellet having a volatile content of 0.2% by weight or less. The FEP pellet satisfies the following requirements (i) and (ii) when used to form a insulating material coating a core wire by extrusion coating at a coating speed of 2,800 ft/min.: (i) an adhesive strength between the insulating material and said core wire of 0.8 kg or more; and (ii) an average number of cone-breaks in the insulating material of one or less per 50,000 feet of the coated core wire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to harvest, integrate and exploit nanomaterials, and particularly elongated nanowire materials. The invention provides methods for harvesting nanowires that include selectively etching a sacrificial layer placed on a nanowire growth substrate to remove nanowires. The invention also provides methods for integrating nanowires into electronic devices that include placing an outer surface of a cylinder in contact with a fluid suspension of nanowires and rolling the nanowire coated cylinder to deposit nanowires onto a surface. Methods are also provided to deposit nanowires using an ink-jet printer or an aperture to align nanowires. Additional aspects of the invention provide methods for preventing gate shorts in nanowire based transistors. Additional methods for harvesting and integrating nanowires are provided.

Abstract: Modular plastic structural composites having a web section disposed along a horizontal axis and at least one flange section disposed along a horizontal axis parallel thereto and integrally molded to engage the top or bottom surface of the web section, wherein said composite is formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, polystyrene, or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite configured to release refrigerant therefrom comprises a substrate material comprising polarized fibers of glass, polyamide, phenylene sulfide, carbon or graphite having bonded thereon a metal compound comprising a complex compound of a polar gaseous refrigerant and a metal salt and/or a hydrated metal hydroxide and/or a metal hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin, aluminum, or two or more thereof, at a concentration of at least about 0.3 grams/cc of open substrate material volume, and a coating composition thereon configured to prevent release of internal gaseous refrigerant therethrough at ambient temperatures and pressure and capable of penetration of gaseous refrigerant therethrough from the composite interior at temperatures causing internal gas pressures of 15% or more above exterior pressure for such refrigerant release.

Abstract: A photocurable composition comprising cationically curable compound, an acrylate-containing compound; a hydroxyl-containing compound; a cationic photoinitiator; and a free radical photoinitiator; wherein said composition has less than 0.54 equivalents of cationically curable groups, less than 0.10 equivalents of acrylate groups and less than 0.10 equivalents of hydroxyl 0groups per 100 grams of said composition.

Abstract: In the formation of an oxide film on an aluminum fiber, it has been difficult to form a thick alumina coating film on the aluminum fiber which already has a natural oxide film formed thereon. To overcome this problem, there is provided a method for forming an alumina coating film which enables the deep penetration of oxygen into an aluminum fiber by employing a three-stage heating treatment and an alumina fiber formed by the method. Also provided is a system for producing water by photocatalytic reaction, in which a photocatalyst comprising the alumina fiber coated with titania is irradiated with light from a light source to generate an active oxygen species, diffusing the active oxygen species in water to impart the function of the active oxygen species to water. The system can perform washing by utilizing an oxidation reaction with the resulting water. Further, provided is a gas treatment system which comprises the alumina fiber coated with titania to impart a photocatalytic function to the aluminum fiber.

Abstract: A polyolefin fiber includes 0.2 to 5.0 wt % of hydrophilic additive, and 0.05 to 3.00 wt % of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The polyolefin fiber may further include 0.2 to 1.0 wt % of spin finish provided on a surface thereof. The polyolefin fiber is spun to have a circular section, a modified cross-section including an X-shaped section, a Y-shaped section, a deltaic section, an oval section, a diamond section, a bladebone-shaped section, and a combined section thereof, or a combined section of the circular section and the modified cross-section. A method of producing a polyolefin fiber includes (a) melt extruding a composition which contains 93 to 99 wt % of polyolefin resin, 0.2 to 5.0 wt % of hydrophilic additive, and 0.05 to 3.00 wt % of any one titanium dioxide (TiO2) of rutile titanium dioxide, anatase titanium dioxide, and brookite titanium dioxide at 240 to 300° C. and performing winding at a spin speed of 500 to 2,000 mpm to produce a undrawn yarn, and (b) drawing the undrawn yarn at a draw ratio of 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low cost method of converting solid glass or ceramic microparticles into hollow microspheres by feeding them, along with pulverized coal, into coal-powered furnaces. Coal-powered furnaces generally produce microsized fused particles of the ash in the coal—called fly ash; and some of the fly ash particles may be hollow. By the present invention the yield of hollow microparticles is greatly increased by co-feeding, along with the pulverized coal, very small amounts of microparticles of inorganic materials known to have the ability to form hollow microspheres upon fusion.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a permanently linked, rigid, magnetic chain of particles prepared by sol-gel methods. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a permanently linked, rigid, magnetic chain of particles comprising: coating a core material with one or more polyelectrolyte layers resulting in a coated particle; further coating the coated particle with a layer of magnetic nanoparticles resulting in a magnetic particle; coating the magnetic particle with a layer of a polycationic polyelectrolyte resulting in a coated magnetic particle; and applying a magnetic field to the coated magnetic particle in the presence of a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor capable of undergoing hydrolysis.

Abstract: A glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire is encoded with multi-bit digital information. Encoding is achieved magnetically, optically or through a combination of magnetic and optical encoding processes. Magnetic encoding is carried out by modifying the constituent magnetic domain structure through selective relief of interfacial stress between the glass coating and the amorphous metallic alloy core. It is also achieved by selective surface crystallization of the amorphous metallic core in order to produce a controlled magnetic bias field. Optical encoding is associated with the glass coating. It is readily achieved by fluorescent element deposition, patterned removal of fluorescent element coating, Bragg grating, and thermally activated pattern deposition. The magnetic and optical multi-bit encoding approaches for glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire can be used individually or collectively in either a redundant or a complementary manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a fiber-reinforced material which is composed, at least in a region of a surface layer, of a ceramic composite and has carbon-containing fibers reaction-bonded to a matrix containing the elements Si and C. In particular a method of producing fiber-reinforced silicon carbide is provided in which a structure of a matrix contains cracks and/or pores, at least at ambient temperature, because of a high thermal expansion coefficient compared with that of the fibers. Metals are selectively electrodeposited in the open pores and cracks of the matrix and, in particular, in a region of the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. As a result, the open pores and cracks are filled and, in addition, metallic top layers are optionally formed that are firmly keyed to the ceramic composite and that may serve as an interlayer for glass top layers or ceramic top layers.

Abstract: A composite material includes a ceramic matrix and two different fractions of fiber bundles, namely a reinforcing fiber bundle fraction and a matrix fiber bundle fraction having different average fiber bundle lengths. The fractions of fiber bundles are separated in a total fiber bundle distribution relative to a fiber bundle length by a minimum. A method for manufacturing a composite material and a method for manufacturing elements formed of a composite material are also provided.

Abstract: A silicon carbide-based thermal spray powder contains at least one boride chosen from zirconium boride, titanium boride and hafnium boride. The powder is prepared by mixing and aggregation of powders containing the compounds in question. Said thermal spray powder is used to deposit, via the plasma spraying technique, a silicon carbide-based coating on a metallic or non-metallic substrate. The figure shows the X-ray crystallogram obtained, for a silicon carbide-based powder, according to the invention, after thermal spraying. The substantial identity of this crystallogram with the one obtained prior to thermal spraying demonstrates that the silicon carbide has been deposited on the substrate without decomposing.

Abstract: Methods for the production of deposition products including an oxidized metal species under both acidic and alkaline conditions, methods for the production of composite materials including a substrate and the deposition product, and products in the nature of deposition products and composite materials. The methods are particularly suited for depositing a very thin layer of a deposition product on a substrate and may be used to produce composite materials for use in many applications, including but not limited to electronics, materials engineering and medical applications. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is silver, the substrates are medical devices or components of medical devices and the deposition product includes an antimicrobially active oxidized silver species.

Abstract: The prevent invention provides a partial discharge-resistant wire enamel composition wherein at least one fine particle sol selected from the group of metal oxide fine particle sol and silicon oxide fine particle sol is dispersed, and 3 to 100 parts by weight of at least one fine particle selected from the group of a metal oxide fine particle and a silicon oxide fine particle is contained per 100 parts by weight of wire enamel resin. Accordingly, the partial discharge-resistant wire enamel composition having excellent dispersibility of inorganic fine particle can be obtained.

Abstract: A ceramic foam consisting of two layers in and out, in which a highly pure ceramic shell covers up the surface layer of the fly ash, is provided along with a process for producing such a ceramic foam. The process for producing a ceramic foam 10 includes the steps of: coating the surface of raw fly ash material containing impurities 12 with alumina slurry; granulating the coated fly ash; and sintering the granulated fly ash in a manner that the granulated fly ash is heated in a furnace with raising temperature, then kept at a predetermined temperature for several hours and then, slowly cooled down to room temperature. The impurities are sealed inside the fly ash 11 not to transfer to the outside so that the surface of the fly ash is covered up with a ceramic shell 13 to form the ceramic foam 10 having two layers in and out.

Abstract: Sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are provided. The copolyesters are produced from a mixture of aromatic dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, ethylene glycol, other glycols, and components containing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfo groups, such as a metal 5-sulfoisophthalic acid derivative. The copolyesters have lower sulfonation than known sulfonated polyesters, and provide advantageous thermal properties for some end uses. The sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are useful in forming coatings or films on various substrates, and in packaging. Some compositions comprising the sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters are biodegradable, as are some of the sulfonated aromatic-aromatic copolyesters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an inkjet recording material, comprising:

Abstract: An FEP pellet having a volatile content of 0.2% by weight or less. The FEP pellet satisfies the following requirements (i) and (ii) when used to form a insulating material coating a core wire by extrusion coating at a coating speed of 2,800 ft/min.: (i) an adhesive strength between the insulating material and said core wire of 0.8 kg or more; and (ii) an average number of cone-breaks in the insulating material of one or less per 50,000 feet of the coated core wire.

Abstract: A synthetic microsphere having a low alkali metal oxide content and methods of forming the microsphere and its components are provided. The synthetic microsphere is substantially chemically inert and thus a suitable replacement for natural cenospheres, particularly in caustic environments such as cementitious mixtures. The synthetic microsphere can be made from an agglomerate precursor that includes an aluminosilicate material, such as fly ash, a blowing agent such as sugar, carbon black, and silicon carbide, and a binding agent. The synthetic microsphere is produced when the precursor is fired at a pre-determined temperature profile so as to form either solid or hollow synthetic microspheres depending on the processing conditions and/or components used.

Abstract: The invention relates to particles with opalescent effect-especially 3-D structural color pigments-based on solid colloidal crystals of monodispersed spheres and the manufacturing processes suitable for large-scale production of such solid colloidal crystal products. The particles with opalescent effect contain a sphere based crystal structure (or super-lattice) built up by monodisperse spheres and one or more secondary types of much smaller colloidal particles occupying partially or completely the empty spaces between the monodisperse spheres.

Abstract: The life of ceramic SPF dies can be enhanced significantly by plasma spray application of a cordierite glaze on the forming surface. The preferred glaze has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to or matching with the ceramic of the die, and, typically, is a 2•2•5 MAS system including 2-10 mol % TiO2 (or above 8 wt %).

Abstract: A laminate sheet material comprising a first layer comprised of polymeric material and a second layer comprised of non-metallic fibers. The first and second layers at least collectively contribute to the laminate having at least one of a passing Flammability Value, Flame Propagation Value or Burnthrough Value. The laminate sheet material is useful, for example, in vehicles (e.g., aircraft), insulation blankets, insulation systems, and systems for limiting exposure of flammable insulation to an ignition source.

Abstract: A glass fiber comprising core glass and clad glass, wherein the core glass consists essentially of from 25 to 70 mol % of Bi2O3, from 5 to 74.89 mol % of B2O3+SiO2, from 0.1 to 30 mol % of Al2O3+Ga2O3, and from 0 to 10 mol % of CeO2.

Abstract: A cutting line intended to trim and cut vegetation which can be used in rotary-head implements such as brush cutters and edge trimmers. The cutting line consists of a core of the monofilament type, which is coated with a granular coating, especially in the form of inorganic particles. The line thus has an uneven and/or rough surface appearance. The composite cutting line of this kind has a lower operating noise, a better cutting effect, and eliminates the problems of sticking and breaking at the eyelet in the rotary head.

Abstract: A composite powder containing a powdery base and aluminum hydroxide adhered to at least a portion of the surface of the base, wherein said adhered aluminum hydroxide in the form of a spherical and net structure is comprised preferably in a large amount. In case of using in powdery cosmetics, this composite powder hides wrinkles, pore openings and hard texture of the skin, and thus maintains the correcting effect of the troubled morphology of the skin. Thus, it exerts excellent effects of imparting natural gloss and color tone to the makeup coating without darkness, being superior in a feeling of “elasticity” and transparency, and the like, compared to the conventional products.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite material (10) having a plurality of interlaminar stitches (16) as shown in FIG. 1. The stitches are formed by directing laser energy into the material to melt and recast zones of the material in a direction transverse to the layers of reinforcing fibers(12). The stitches not only improve the interlaminar strength of the material, but they also increase the through-thickness thermal conductivity of the material, thereby reducing thermal-induced stresses. The zones of recast material (18) may define holes (20) extending at least partially through the thickness of the material. The holes may be filled with a filler material (24), thereby mitigating any adverse loss-of-area effect created by the holes.

Abstract: Packaging having reactive polymers incorporated into paper and foam core materials. In one embodiment, the packaging protects the contents from corrosive gases. In an alternate embodiment, the packaging protects the contents from mildew and fungus.

Abstract: Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.

Abstract: A transparent conductive film has a polymer film 4 and a transparent conductive layer 5 formed on the polymer film 4. The transparent conductive layer consists of indium oxide, a zinc oxide system and a tin oxide system. A covering layer 9, made of material different from that of the transparent conductive layer 5, is formed on the transparent conductive layer 5. A touch panel is provided with the transparent conductive film as its upper electrode 6A or lower electrode. The surface of the transparent conductive layer is covered with the covering layer, so that physical or chemical stresses generated during the input to the touch panel do not affect transparent conductive layer directly, thus preventing damages and delamination of the transparent conductive layer. Furthermore, the covering layer formed on the transparent conductive layer improves the strength of the transparent conductive film, thereby enhancing a resistance to wear.