Abstract: A light-emitting, specifically electroluminescent, europium-containing Group IIA fluoride epitaxial layer on silicon with a europium concentration in the range of from about 4 to about 40 wt % and a molecular beam epitaxy method for growth thereof are provided. Also provided is a light-emitting, specifically electroluminescent, device including a europium-containing Group IIA fluoride epitaxial layer on silicon with a europium concentration in the range of from about 4 to about 40 wt %. The Group IIA fluoride layer exhibits electroluminescence in the wavelength range of from about 450 to about 700 nm.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a particulate product including electrostatically charging a fuel and/or oxidizer and/or ionizable inert gas present during the synthesis is provided. The method can include a step of collecting the particulate product which exploits the charged nature of the particulate reaction product.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the fracture toughness of a material based upon observation of crack opening displacement (COD) as a function of distance from the tip of a crack generated in the material. An apparatus is also provided for generating a crack in a material for subsequent fracture toughness determination.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a microcellular foam of a curable material by replicating a dissolvable particle preform and leaching away the dissolvable particle preform to yield the microcellular foam. The foam can be a preceramic polymer microcellular foam which can be pyrolyzed to form a ceramic microcellular foam. A method for making a composite including steps of producing a ceramic microcellular foam which is subsequently infiltrated to form the composite is also provided as are microcellular foams, ceramic microcellular foams and composites prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical refining of a low carbon steel melt is provided.

Abstract: A method for pressure infiltration casting is provided wherein steps of preheating and evacuating a mold cavity and infiltrant charge are carried out in a separate vessel from a pressure vessel wherein the mold cavity is filled, allowing for rapid finished article throughput. An apparatus for pressure infiltration casting is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparation of a composite including steps of providing a preform and a liquid infiltrant alloy including at least two elements and having a liquid infiltrant alloy composition which is selected so that the liquid infiltrant alloy spontaneously infiltrates the preform and contacting the liquid infiltrant alloy with the preform so that a chemical reaction occurs to form a composite by reactive infiltration, as are composites produced according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including a solid electrolyte and solid electrode composed of materials having different chemical compositions and characterized by different electrical properties but having the same crystalline phase is provided. A method for fabricating an electrochemical device having a solid electrode and solid electrolyte characterized by the same crystalline phase is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for in-situ powder metallurgy processing of a functionally gradient material (FGM) which uses a preceramic polymer binder system with the metal and/or ceramic powders used to produce the intermediate layers of the composite. The invention also provides a method for controlling shrinkage of the functionally gradient material during processing while still preserving the desired density of the intermediate layers by controlling the preceramic polymer binder content within the functionally gradient material.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical refining of an impurity-containing low carbon steel melt using a solid electrolyte ionic conductor to remove the impurity from the melt is provided. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method, and a continuous method for electrochemical refining of a low carbon steel melt.

Abstract: A method for inducing superplasticity in a composite including a non-transforming phase and a transforming phase by cycling the composite material through a phase transformation of the transforming phase while applying an external stress to the composite material is provided as is a method for inducing superplasticity in a titanium/titanium carbide composite. Also provided is a method for forming a part from a composite material including a transforming phase and a non-transforming phase by cycling the composite through a phase transformation of the transforming phase and shaping the composite material by applying an external stress to the composite material while the transforming phase is undergoing a phase transformation to form a finished article.

Abstract: A method for thermal insulation of a wet shielded metal arc welds including insulating a weld joint between workpieces to be welded with a synthetic insulator is provided. An apparatus for thermally insulating a wet shielded metal arc weld including a synthetic insulator is also provided.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including a solid electrolyte and solid electrode composed of materials having different chemical compositions and characterized by different electrical properties but having the same crystalline phase is provided. A method for fabricating an electrochemical device having a solid electrode and solid electrolyte characterized by the same crystalline phase is also provided.

Abstract: Oxidation and sulfidation resistant alloys and mixtures including chromium and niobium as well as oxidation and sulfidation resistant articles including chromium and niobium present as either an alloy or a mixture are provided. A method for preparing an oxidation and sulfidation resistant article by preparing a material including chromium and niobium and either forming an article directly from the chromium and niobium containing material or forming the article from a base material and coating the material with a coating including a chromium and niobium-containing material is provided.

Abstract: A method for producing an article including a refractory compound by infiltrating a preform with a liquid infiltrant and initiating a reaction between the preform and the liquid infiltrant to establish a reaction front which propagates in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the liquid infiltrant is provided, as are articles prepared according to this method.

Abstract: A method for pressure infiltration casting is provided wherein steps of preheating and evacuating a mold cavity and infiltrant charge are carried out in a separate vessel from a pressure vessel wherein the mold cavity is filled using a vent tube, allowing for rapid finished article throughput.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical refining of an impurity-containing melt using a solid electrolyte ionic conductor to remove the impurity from the melt is provided. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method, and a batch and a continuous method for electrochemical refining of a melt.

Abstract: A chemical method for the modification of a substrate surface by compound formation to accomplish heteroepitaxial crystal growth is provided. This method enables the growth of semiconductors on insulators allowing fabrication of three dimensionally integrated devices. Devices include vertical FET's for DRAM storage cells, integrated diode laser/FET's, integrated detector/FET's, and common gate CMOS inverters.