Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a piezoelectric ceramic composition is an alkali niobate-based piezoelectric ceramic composition whose primary component is a compound expressed by the general formula LixNayK1-x-yNbO3 (where 0<x<1, 0<y<1, and x+y<1), and which contains 100 ppm or more but less than 1000 ppm of fluorine by mass. The alkali niobate-based piezoelectric ceramic composition demonstrates good properties even when sintered at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibrator made of a non-lead-based piezoelectric material and capable of being driven at a sufficient speed with low power consumption, and provides a vibration wave drive device and an electronical device each using the vibrator. To that end, the vibrator according to the present invention includes a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric material and electrodes, and an elastic body, wherein a Pb component contained in the piezoelectric material is less than 1000 ppm, and a resonance frequency fA in a vibration mode A and a resonance frequency fB in a vibration mode B satisfy a relation of an absolute value of (fB?fA)>2 (kHz), the vibration mode A and the vibration mode B generating vibration waves in the elastic body with wave fronts of the vibration waves intersecting each other.

Abstract: Fabricating a layer including lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li7La3Zr2O12) layer includes forming a slurry including lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7) nanocrystals, a lithium precursor, and a lanthanum precursor in stoichiometric amounts to yield a dispersion including lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium. In some cases, the dispersion includes lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium in a molar ratio of 7:3:2. In certain cases, the slurry includes excess lithium. The slurry is dispensed onto a substrate and dried. The dried slurry is calcined to yield the layer including lithium lanthanum zirconate.

Abstract: Methods of forming nanoceramic materials and components. The methods may include performing atomic layer deposition to form a plurality of nanoparticles, including forming a thin film coating over core particles, or sintering the nanoparticles in a mold. The nanoparticles can include a first material selected from a rare earth metal-containing oxide, a rare earth metal-containing fluoride, a rare earth metal-containing oxyfluoride or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The ceramic material element includes a main phase of orthorhombic perovskite-structure and a secondary phase due to a heat treatment within 700° C. to 850° C. for a first period followed by a second period within 1140° C. to 1170° C., from a mixture of materials A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 excluding lead, the materials A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 having molar ratios R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, respectively, where the material A1 comprises potassium, the material A2 comprises sodium, the material A3 comprises barium, the material A4 comprises niobium, and the material A5 comprises nickel, and the molar ratio R1 is in a range 0.29-0.32, the molar ratio R2 is in a range 0.20-0.23, the molecular ratio R3 is in a range 0.01-0.02, the molar ratio R4 is in a range 0.54-0.55, and the molar ratio R5 is in a range 0.006-0.011, while a relative ratio of R1/R2 is in the range 1.24-1.52, and a relative ratio of R4/R2 is in the range 2.32-2.62.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer oxide ceramic bodies and in particular to presintered multi-layer oxide ceramic blanks and oxide ceramic green bodies suitable for dental applications. These bodies can be thermally densified by further sintering without distortion and are thus particularly suitable for the manufacture of dental restorations. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of such multi-layer oxide ceramic bodies as well as to a process for the manufacture of dental restorations using the multi-layer oxide ceramic bodies.

Abstract: A dielectric composition including a complex oxide containing bismuth, zinc, and niobium, includes a crystal phase formed of the complex oxide and having a pyrochlore type crystal structure, and an amorphous phase. When the complex oxide is represented by a composition formula BixZnyNbzO1.75+?, in which x, y, and z satisfy relations of x+y+z=1.00, 0.20?y?0.50, and 2/3?x/z?3/2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dielectric ceramic material for resonators, filters, and oscillators being used in a wireless communication system and, most particularly, to a Ba(Mg0.5W0.5)O3-type high frequency dielectric ceramic material having an appropriate dielectric constant and a high quality factor in a high frequency band and a method for preparing the same. For this, Ba(Mg0.5W0.5)O3 has been chosen as a material having excellent high frequency dielectric properties. At this point, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element partly substitutes Barium (Ba), and, for compensation, a metal of a +3 oxidation state is added quantitatively in the place of Magnesium (Mg). Accordingly, a high frequency dielectric ceramic material compound having a high quality factor and a stable temperature property is prepared. When needed, a metal of a +5 oxidation state may be further added quantitatively in the place of Tungsten (W).

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a multilayer structure in which each of a plurality of dielectric layers and each of a plurality of internal electrode layers are alternately stacked, the plurality of internal electrode layers being alternately exposed to a first edge face and a second edge face of the multilayer structure; and a cover layer that is provided at least on an upper face and a lower face of the multilayer structure, a main component of the cover layer being a same as that of the dielectric layers, wherein: a concentration of a donor element with respect to a main component ceramic of at least one of the cover layer, an end margin region and a side margin region is lower than a concentration of the donor element with respect to a main component ceramic of the dielectric layers in the multilayer structure.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions for protecting a metallic surface susceptible to corrosion, the composition comprising a first component comprising an aqueous mixture of an acid-phosphate of chemical formula Am(H2PO4)m.nH2O, where A is hydrogen ion, ammonium cation, metal cation, or mixtures thereof where m=1-3, and n=0-6; the first component solution adjusted to a pH of about 2 to about 5, the first component having a particle size distribution between 0.04 to 60 micron; and a second component, configured for combination and at least partial reaction with the first component to provide a phosphate ceramic, the second component comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of an alkaline oxide or alkaline hydroxide represented by B2mOm, B(OH)2m, or mixtures thereof, where B is an element of valency 2m (m=1, 1.5, or 2) the second component solution adjusted to a pH of between 9-14.

Abstract: A perovskite thin film and method of forming a perovskite thin film are provided. The perovskite thin film includes a substrate, a hole blocking/electron transport layer, and a sintered perovskite layer. The method of forming the perovskite solar cell includes depositing a perovskite layer onto a substrate and processing (for example, by sintering) the perovskite layer with intense pulsed light to initiate a radiative thermal response that is enabled by an alkyl halide additive.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for cancelling spillover in a MIMO radar system. The method comprises (i) transmitting and receiving a signal in a transmit-receive pair, the received signal including a spillover signal; (ii) routing a part of the transmitted signal of the transmit-receive pair to the received signal to increase the power level of the spillover signal; and (iii) cancelling the spillover signal and the part of the transmitted signal by a spillover cancellation subsystem associated with the transmit-receive pair. Because the part of the transmitted signal corresponds to the spillover signal, both of these signals may be added together to result in a combined signal having a high enough power level to improve the functioning of the spillover cancellation subsystem.

Abstract: A dielectric composition is provided. The dielectric composition includes: a main component made of: a first complex oxide expressed by a chemical formula {K(Ba1-xSrx)2Nb5O15}; and a second complex oxide expressed by a chemical formula that differs the chemical formula of the first complex oxide. The second complex oxide is a complex oxide expressed by one of chemical formulae: {(Ca1-ySry)(Zr1-zTiz)O3}; {Ba(Ti1-uZru)O3}; {(Ca1-vSrv)TiSiO5}; and {(Ba1-wRe2w/3)Nb2O6}, x satisfies 0.35?x?0.75, and a satisfies 0.25?a?0.75 when a molar ratio between the first and second complex oxides is defined by a:b in an order and a+b=1.00.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring glucose levels in a user's blood without having to draw a blood sample. A wave energy source emits wave energy. A modified ceramic coaxial resonator is provided that receives the wave energy and produces a frequency oscillation. An opening is formed in a conductive layer surrounding the ceramic coaxial resonator. Skin tissue is pressed against the opening. The sample tissue alters the frequency oscillation created by the ceramic coaxial resonator. At least some of the altered frequency oscillation is indicative of blood glucose levels within the sample tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit package comprising at least one substrate, each substrate including at least one layer, at least one semiconductor die, at least one terminal, and an antenna located in the integrated circuit package, but not on said at least one semiconductor die. The conducting pattern comprises a curve having at least five sections or segments, at least three of the sections or segments being shorter than one-tenth of the longest free-space operating wavelength of the antenna, each of the five sections or segments forming a pair of angles with each adjacent segment or section, wherein the smaller angle of each of the four pairs of angles between sections or segments is less than 180° (i.e.

Abstract: A thermal spray powder of the present invention contains ceramic particles having an average particle size of 1 ?m or more and 20 ?m or less. The ceramic particles have a flowability index value FT of 3 or more measured by using a powder rheometer. The flowability index value FF is determined by measuring the maximum principal stress and the uniaxial collapse stress of the ceramic particles at normal temperature and normal humidity when 9 kPa of shear force is applied to the ceramic particles, and by dividing the measured maximum principal stress by the measured uniaxial collapse stress.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric ceramics, including a perovskite compound of a non-stoichiometric composition represented by a composition formula (KxNa1-x)y(Nb1-zTaz)O3 (0<x?1, 0<y<1, 0?z?0.5); and a sintering aid which includes an oxide containing K, Co, and Ta.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor may include: a ceramic body including a plurality of dielectric layers; a capacitor unit disposed in an upper portion of the ceramic body and including a plurality of first and second internal electrodes; an equivalent series resistance (ESR) controller disposed in a lower portion of the ceramic body and including a plurality of third and fourth internal electrodes; a gap layer disposed between the capacitor unit and the ESR controller; first and second external electrodes disposed on the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes; and third and fourth external electrodes disposed on the first and second lateral surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the third and fourth internal electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic component that can be repetitively operated under high voltage, high temperature and high humidity is provided. The multi-layer electronic component comprises a plurality of dielectric material layers made of a sintered material having perovskite structure that includes Pb; and a plurality of internal electrodes, the dielectric material layers and the internal electrodes being stacked alternately one on another, wherein lead compound that remains in the crystal grain boundaries of the dielectric material layers is controlled so that the number of grains of the lead compound not smaller than 0.01 ?m are 2 or less per 100 ?m2 on average.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate. Also disclosed are porous ceramic honeycomb structures comprising a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate and methods of preparing a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element is provided. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer made of a perovskite compound containing sodium, potassium, lithium, niobium and tantalum and bismuth manganate. The piezoelectric element may also include electrodes for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer may contain 0.25 to 1 mol % of bismuth manganate relative to the perovskite ceramics.

Abstract: A transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film of the present invention comprises an indium tin oxide as a main component, wherein the indium tin oxide contains 9% by weight or less of tin oxide based on the total amount of indium oxide and tin oxide, wherein the transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film contains 0.45 atomic % or less of nitrogen. The transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film of the present invention has a high resistance value and good reliability in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.

Abstract: An infrared sensor includes a heat sensing element in which a first electrode, a dielectric film, and a second electrode are sequentially laminated; and an electric charge detection device. The dielectric film represents antiferroelectricity and has a spontaneous polarization in a predetermined measurement environment. The electric charge detection device calculates an amount of relaxation current flowing by a change of the spontaneous polarization, and senses heat of the heat sensing element based on temperature dependence of the amount of relaxation current.

Abstract: This invention provides for a piezoelectric ceramic composition having a lead-free alkaline niobate piezoelectric ceramic composition with a favorable piezoelectric property. This invention refers to a piezoelectric ceramic composition 10 that is described as composition formula {Lix(K1-yNay)1-x}(Nb1-zSbz)O3 including the additives of the metallic elements Bi and Fe within the range of the following relational expressions: 0.03?x?0.045; 0.5?y?0.58; 0.03?z?0.045; and 0.006?v?w?0.010 whereof v is the additive amount of Bi (molar ratio), and w is the additive amount of Fe (molar ratio).

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic with environmental friendliness including a composition as the main component composed of a composite oxide free from lead (Pb) as a constituent element, and with excellent piezoelectric characteristics such as the relative dielectric constant, the electromechanical coupling factor, and the piezoelectric constant, and a piezoelectric device using the piezoelectric ceramic, are provided. A piezoelectric ceramic including a composition represented by the following general formula as the main component: (K1-x-y-w-vNaxLiyBawSrv)m(Nb1-z-uTaz-Zru)O3 (wherein, x, y, z, w, v, u and m in the formula satisfy the following conditions respectively: 0.4<x?0.7; 0.02?y?0.1; 0<z?0.3; 0<w?0.01; 0.04?v?0.07; 0.04?u?0.07; and 0.95?m<1).

Abstract: A variable filter includes, on a dielectric substrate including ground conductor, first resonator including a transmission line connected to input terminal, second resonator including a transmission line connected to output terminal, and coupling portion including a transmission line having one end connected to the first and second resonators and another end being an open end, or structure having one end connected to the first and second resonators, including a serial connection of a transmission line and a variable capacitor, another end of the variable capacitor connected to the ground conductor, and adjusting means capable of changing electric length, in the first and second resonators and the coupling portion, wherein pass band width can be changed by changing ratio of electric transmission length of the coupling portion to electric transmission lengths of transmission line including the coupling portion, and the first and second resonators.

Abstract: A ceramic material for capacitors uses multilayer technology of the general formula: Pb1?1.5a?0.5b+1.5d+e+0.5f)AaBb(Zr1?xTix)(1?c?d?e?f)LidCeFefSicO3+y.PBO wherein A is selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb; B is selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Ag; C is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cu, Co and Mn; and 0<a<0.12; 0.05?x?0.3; 0<b<0.12; 0?c?0.12; 0<d<0.12; 0?e?0.12; 0 <f<0.12; 0?y?1, and wherein b+d+e+f>0.

Abstract: A permanent filter for a medical sterilization container is provided. The permanent filter is made from a ceramic. The ceramic is made from globular substrate grains. A medical sterilization container is also provided, in particular for receiving and storing objects to be sterilized, having a container bottom part and a container top part for closing the container bottom part in a closed position of the sterilization container. At least one of the container bottom part and the container top part have a gas exchange orifice, which is closed with a permanent filter. The permanent filter is made from a ceramic and the ceramic is made from globular substrate grains. In addition, a method is provided for producing a permanent filter for a medical sterilization container. The permanent filter is produced from a ceramic material by sintering. Globular substrate grains are used as the ceramic material.

Abstract: A separation membrane according to the present invention is characterized by having a porous tube containing an alumina as a main component and an attachment member disposed in a connection position of the porous tube, wherein the porous tube and the attachment member are bonded by a ceramic oxide-based bonding agent containing 17 to 48 wt % of SiO2, 2 to 8 wt % of Al2O3, 24 to 60 wt % of BaO, and 0.5 to 5 wt % of ZnO as essential components and containing at least one of La2O3, CaO, and SrO, and a thin zeolite layer is formed on a surface of the porous tube. The attachment member is bonded to the porous tube before the formation of the zeolite layer. Therefore, the bonding agent can have a melting temperature higher than 600° C., which is the upper heatproof temperature limit of the zeolite. Thus, the ceramic oxide material for the bonding agent can be selected from a wider range of compositions such as glass compositions (without limitations on the glass softening temperature).

Abstract: Methods for forming lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles are provided. The PZT nanoparticles are formed from a precursor solution, comprising a source of lead, a source of titanium, a source of zirconium, and a mineralizer, that undergoes a hydrothermal process. The size and morphology of the PZT nanoparticles are controlled, in part, by the heating schedule used during the hydrothermal process.

Abstract: There are provided a dielectric ceramic having a high Qf value in a relative permittivity ?r range of 35 to 45, and a small absolute value of a temperature coefficient ?f which indicates change of the resonant frequency in a wide temperature range from a low temperature range to a high temperature range, and a dielectric filter having the dielectric ceramic. A dielectric ceramic includes: a main component, molar ratios ?, ?, and ? satisfying expressions of 0.240???0.470, 0.040???0.200, 0.400???0.650, and ?+?+?=1 when a composition formula of the main component is represented as ?ZrO2.?SnO2.?TiO2; and Mn, a content of Mn in terms of MnO2 being greater than or equal to 0.01% by mass and less than 0.1% by mass with respect to 100% by mass of the main component.

Abstract: There are provided a dielectric composition and a multilayer ceramic electronic component manufactured using the same, the dielectric composition including a dielectric grain having a perovskite structure represented by ABO3, wherein, when an imaginary line is drawn in a direction from a center of the dielectric grain to a grain boundary thereof, a content of rare earth elements in a region corresponding to 0.75 to 0.95% of the dielectric grain from the center of the dielectric grain may be 0.5 to 2.5 at %, based on 100 at % of a B-site ion, so that the multilayer ceramic electronic component manufactured using the dielectric composition can have excellent reliability and secure a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: A porous ceramic matrix contains a plurality of ceramic particles adhered to each other, and a plurality of channels defined by surfaces of neighboring ceramic particles, the channels each having an average diameter of 0.5-2.5 ?m. Preferred ceramics also have a porosity of 25.0-40.0%, a Darcy's Permeability of 1.57-34.8×10?14 m2, and a mechanical strength of 25-64 MPa. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a porous ceramic matrix, comprising providing a pellet containing ceramic particles that are coated with a monomer, a catalyst, and a binder; polymerizing the monomer in the solid state by heating, then carbonizing and sintering the pellet.

Abstract: Porous composites of acicular mullite and tialite are formed by firing an acicular mullite body in the presence of an oxide of titanium. In some variations of the process, the oxide of titanium is present when the acicular mullite body is formed. In other variations, the oxide of titanium is applied to a previously-formed acicular mullite body. Surprisingly, the composites have coefficients of linear thermal expansion that are intermediate to those of acicular mullite and tialite alone. Some of the tialite is believed to form at grain boundaries and/or points of intersection between acicular mullite needles, rather than merely coating the needles. The presence of the titanium oxide(s) during acicular mullite formation does not significantly affect the ability to produce a highly porous network of mullite needles.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 1 comprising a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 30 made of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition containing Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3—PbZrO3 ternary solid solution system composition as the main components, and an electrode disposed on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, wherein the ternary solid solution system composition is represented by the following composition formula: (Pb1-xSrx)?{(Ti1-yZry)a(Ni?/3Nb2/3)b(Al?/2Nb1/2)c}O3 (where 0.005?x?0.03, 0.45?y?0.54, 0.58?a?0.91, 0.07?b?0.36, 0.02?c?0.08, 0.97???1.03, 0.97???1.03, 0.97???1.03, and (a+b+c=1.000)).

Abstract: A composite oxide with a high oxygen storage capacity is provided without using cerium. The composite oxide is an iron oxide-zirconia composite oxide containing iron, zirconium, and a rare-earth element. The total content of Fe2O3, ZrO2, and an oxide of the rare-earth element is not less than 90 mass %, the content of an iron oxide in terms of Fe2O3 is 10 to 90 mass %, and the absolute value of the covariance COV(Fe, Zr+X) of the composite oxide, which has been baked in the atmosphere at a temperature of greater than or equal to 900° C. for 5 hours or more, determined by the following Formulae (1) to (3), is not greater than 20: ? [ Math .

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite ceramic material which comprises: (a) a first phase based on zirconia containing CeO2 as stabilizer, and (b) a second phase based on an aluminate. The invention also relates to a ceramic powder composition, processes for the preparation of the composite ceramic material and the ceramic powder composition as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical ceramic material with a color other than black or white, especially blue, with which it is possible to secure sufficient durability and to maintain a good appearance by sufficiently suppressing a color difference between before and after the irradiation of gamma-rays for sterilization. The medical ceramic material is formed using a composite material containing alumina and zirconia. The composite material contains cobalt oxide. The content of cobalt oxide is set to be 0.2 wt % to 1.0 wt % with respect to 100 wt % of the composite material excluding cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a niobium compound of formula (I): D?Nb?E?O3-???(I) wherein D is an alkali metal (e.g. Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and/or Fr), alkaline earth metal (such as Ba, Ca, Mg and/or Sr), La and/or Bi and may be present as a mixture of two or more metals; E is Ta, Sb and/or Fe and may be present as a mixture of two or more metals; ? is a positive number ? is a positive number ? is zero or a positive number ? is a number 0???0.5; and wherein the formula (I) has the perovskite or tungsten bronze structure; comprising spray pyrolising a solution, for example an aqueous solution, comprising metal (D) ions, Nb ions and if present, metal (E) ions.

Abstract: A dental block for producing a dental prosthesis comprises a green body including zirconia and having a chemical composition including increasing amounts of yttria through a thickness of the green body. The green body is substantially opaque with a substantially consistent optical characteristic of non-translucency with respect to visible light across the thickness, and is subsequently millable and sinterable to form the dental prosthesis with an optical characteristic of increasing translucency through a thickness of the dental prosthesis.

Abstract: A transition metal oxide dielectric material is doped with a non-metal in order to enhance the electrical properties of the metal oxide. In a preferred embodiment, a transition metal oxide is deposited over a bottom electrode and implanted with a dopant. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxide is hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide and the dopant is nitrogen. The dopant can convert the crystal structure of the hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide to a tetragonal structure and increase the dielectric constant of the metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention concerns a manufacturing method of a new type of dielectric material having a predefined variable permittivity resulting from the manufacturing process. Main characteristic of the manufacturing method is that in a first step homogeneous dielectric material (100) is shaped in at least a direction and subsequently at least a part thereof is formed so that the resulting dielectric material body (102) has the predefined variation in permittivity in said at least one direction. Said forming step may advantageously comprise sub-steps of deforming at least a part of the shaped dielectric material body and fixing the so deformed dielectric material body. The manufacturing steps are adapted so to induce a predefined variation in permittivity corresponding but not limited to a certain law (e.g. Luneburg, Maxwell, . . . ).

Abstract: A sputtering target which is composed of a sintered body of an oxide which contains at least indium, tin, and zinc and includes a spinel structure compound of Zn2SnO4 and a bixbyite structure compound of In2O3. A sputtering target includes indium, tin, zinc, and oxygen with only a peak ascribed to a bixbyite structure compound being substantially observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Abstract: The production method of the present invention is a method for producing porous aluminum magnesium titanate by forming a mixture containing Al source powder, Mg source powder, Ti source powder and Si source powder as well as a pore-forming agent to obtain a molded body; presintering the obtained molded body; and then sintering the presintered molded body, wherein the content of the pore-forming agent to a total of 100 parts by mass for the Al source powder, Mg source powder, Ti source powder and Si source powder is 5 to 30 parts by mass, the melting point of the Si source powder is 600 to 1300° C., when the elemental composition ratio of Al, Mg, Ti and Si in the mixture is represented by compositional formula (1): Al2(1?x)MgxTi(1+x)O5+aAl2O3+bSiO2 ??(1), x satisfies 0.05?x?0.15, a satisfies 0?a?0.1 and b satisfies 0.05?b?0.15, and the presintered molded body is sintered at 1300 to 1560° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is provided with: a piezoelectric ceramic layer that is obtained by firing a piezoelectric ceramic composition which contains a perovskite composition and an Ag component; and a conductor layer that sandwiches the piezoelectric ceramic layer, wherein Ag is segregated in voids in a sintered body of the perovskite composition in the piezoelectric ceramic layer. The piezoelectric ceramic composition preferably contains a perovskite composition which is represented by (Pba.Rex){Zrb.Tic,.(Ni1/3Nb2/3)d.(Zn1/3Nb2/3)e}O3 (wherein Re represents La and/or Nd, and a-e and x satisfy the following conditions 0.95?a?1.05, 0?x?0.05, 0.35?b?0.45, 0.35?c?0.45, 0<d?0.10, 0.07?e?0.20 and b+c+d+e=1) and 0.05-0.3% by mass of an Ag component in terms of oxides relative to the perovskite composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alumina-zirconia nanostructured composite material characterised in that the content of elements other than Al, Zr, Hf, Y, Ce and O is less than 100 ppm, the Cl content is less than 1 ppm, at least one of the components has a mean grain size in the final material smaller than 500 nm, and at least 1/10 of the particles are in the intragranular position. Another object of the invention is the process for obtaining said material, as well as the use thereof.

Abstract: A subject of the invention relates to providing a powder for a translucent zirconia sintered body which is necessary for the production of a zirconia sintered body having a high sintered-body density and high strength and giving an excellent sense of translucency, without conducting any special sintering, such as HIP sintering. The invention relates to a technique for obtaining, through normal-pressure sintering, a translucent zirconia sintered body characterized by comprising zirconia which contains 2-4 mol % yttria as a stabilizer and has an alumina content of 0.2 wt % or lower, and by having a relative density of 99.8% or higher and a total light transmittance, as measured at a thickness of 1.0 mm, of 35% or higher. It is preferred that a powder containing 0-0.2 wt % alumina with a particle diameter of 0.01-0.5 ?m, having a BET specific surface area of 5-16 m2/g and an average particle diameter of 0.3-0.7 ?m, and having a rate of sintering shrinkage in normal-pressure sintering (??/?T; g/cm3·° C.) of 0.

Abstract: An infra-red reflective material is a perovskite-like multiple oxide which includes at least an alkaline-earth metal and at least one type of element selected from a group of titanium, zirconium and niobium, and further, if necessary, manganese and/or iron, an element belonging to the IIIa group of the periodic table such as aluminum and gallium, etc., or zinc, etc., has sufficient infra-red reflective power, is excellent in thermal stability and heat resistance, and does not raise concerns on safety and environmental issues. The infra-red reflective material can be produced by, for example, mixing an alkaline-earth metal compound and a titanium compound and further, if necessary, a manganese compound and/or an iron compound, a compound belonging to the IIIa group of the periodic table, or a zinc compound in predetermined amounts, and firing the mixture.

Abstract: A PZT-type piezoelectric ceramic material having a perovskite structure of the ABO3 type. The stoichiometric ratio of AB is 1:1, with the “A” component being Pb1-zSrz and the “B” component being (Mn1/3Sb2/3)x(ZryTi1-y)1-x. Z is between 0.02 and 0.03, x is between 0.03 and 0.07, and y is between 0.40 and 0.60. The material further comprises dopants, with the dopants comprising Ce, Cu, and Nb dopants, with each of the Ce, Cu, and Nb dopants being provided in an amount of up to 2 wt. %, with the combined amount of the Ce, Cu, and Nb2 dopants being between 1 wt. % and 4 wt. %. Methods for preparing the PZT ceramic materials by combining oxides of Pb, Sr, Mn, Sb, Zr, Ti, Nb, Cu, and Ce and calcining the combined oxides so as to produce a PZT composition of the stated formula are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ceramic nanocomposites and methods for manufacturing the ceramic nanocomposites are disclosed. One method includes introducing to a fired green ceramic body having a ceramic matrix submicron particles having coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries. One ceramic nanocomposite includes a ceramic matrix with submicron particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix, the submicron particles having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one dopant that covers the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, at a concentration that does not exceed the bulk solubility limit of the dopant in the ceramic matrix at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.