Abstract: Patterned films of superconducting materials are formed using focused beam techniques, such as electron beam, ion beam, and laser beam techniques. A solution comprising the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium, and copper is formed which is soluble in an organic solvent. The solution is spun onto an appropriate substrate. The solution is dried and subsequently selectively exposed using focused beam techniques, so that the exposed regions are no longer soluble in the organic solvent. The solution is immersed in the organic solvent, so that the only the exposed, insoluble regions remain on the substrate. The solution is then heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the neodecanoates, about 500.degree. C., and then heated again, preferably using rapid thermal annealing techniques, to promote recrystallization and grain growth of the remaining metal oxides. The resulting patterned film exhibits superconductive characteristics.

Abstract: Superconducting thin films of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.7, having a superconducting transition temperature of 90.degree. K., are produced in a non-vacuum environment using Mettalo-Organic Deposition techniques. An ink comprising the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium, and copper is formed and spun on a single crystal substrate of strontium titanate. The ink is dried in an air environment, heated in an air environment at a temperature sufficient to decompose the neodecanoates, about 500.degree. C., and then heated again to promote recrystallization and grain growth of the remaining metal oxides. The resulting thin film exhibits superconductive characteristics at about 90.degree. K.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an alumina film on a selected region of a surface without forming the film on an adjacent region. An ink film composed of aluminum caboxylate compound is applied to the surface and heated to partially decompose the compound. A positive photoresist layer is preferably applied to the partially decomposed layer and selectively irradiated to define a mask overlying the selected region. Unwanted photoresist material is dissolved from the adjacent region using an aqueous alkaline solution. It is found that the solution concurrently dissolves the underlying partially decomposed aluminum compound, without dissolving the compound protected by the mask. Thereafter, the mask is stripped, and the underlying aluminum compound is heated and further decomposed to produce the desired alumina film.

Abstract: A metal sulfide thin film, such as a zinc sulfide thin film, is formed by thermal decomposition of a metal mercaptide or other suitable metallo-organic compound having a metal-to-sulfur bond. To produce the film, the metallo-organic compound is applied to a substrate in a solution that also contains a sulfur to facilitate dissolution of the compound and enhance stability of the solution. It is also found that sulfur addition reduces carbon contamination of the product sulfide thin film.

Abstract: A method of producing a miniaturized, fixed volume, internal reference gas chamber comprising the pores of a porous material, suitable for use in a rapid response, highly precise, internal reference, solid electrolyte electrochemical-type oxygen sensor capable of detecting oxygen partial pressures in internal combustion engines operating within lean air/fuel mixtures is accomplished using a four step technique. A thin film layer of material is deposited onto a supporting substrate and patterned, said material comprises at least one component resistant to a subsequent removal step and at least one sacrificial component not resistant to the same subsequent removal step. The said material is then sealed everywhere except at an external orifice. The sacrificial component of said material is then decomposed and removed during a removal step, providing an interlocking network of porosity comprised within the porous component of said material.

Abstract: A method of producing a miniaturized, fixed volume, internal reference gas chamber comprising the pores of a porous material, suitable for use in a rapid response, highly precise, internal reference, solid electrolyte electrochemical-type oxygen sensor capable of detecting oxygen partial pressures in internal combustion engines operating within lean air/fuel mixtures is accomplished using a four step technique. A thin film layer of material is deposited onto a supporting substrate and patterned, said material comprises at least one component resistant to a subsequent removal step and at least one sacrificial component not resistant to the same subsequent removal step. The said material is then sealed everywhere except at an external orifice. The sacrificial component of said material is then decomposed and removed during a removal step, providing an interlocking network of porosity comprised within the porous component of said material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a semiconductor tin oxide thin film on a selected region of a surface without forming the film on an adjacent region. An ink film composed of tin(II) carboxylate compound is applied to the surface and heated to partially decompose the compound. A positive photoresist layer is preferably applied to the partially decomposed layer and selectively irradiated to define a mask overlying the selected region. Unwanted photoresist material is dissolved from the adjacent region using an aqueous alkaline solution. It is found that the solution concurrently dissolves the underlying partially decomposed tin compound, without dissolving the compound protected by the mask. Thereafter, the mask is stripped, and the underlying tin compound is heated and further decomposed to produce the desired tin oxide thin film.

Abstract: Sinterable metal-oxygen composition powders are prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of the metal salt and of poly(acrylic acid), or its ammonium salt, to form a precipitate which is dried, ignited to remove the organic composition and calcined to form the metal oxide or metal-oxygen compound powder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition distributor wherein the circumferentially disposed stationary output electrodes carried by the distributor cap are made up of a resistive material having a predetermined resistance value per unit length.

Abstract: A method of making a highly porous cermet electrode on a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is coated with noble metal and glass particles and heated to fuse the glass particles. The coated electrolyte is then annealed to form a separately leachable borate phase in the glass. That phase is then leached from the coating to leave a highly porous silica matrix throughout which the conductive particles are exposed.

Abstract: A titanium oxide resistive-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor having a unique microstructure of interlocked highly irregular, flake-like particles forming a highly durable porous body preferably having a surface area greater than about 3 square meters per gram. A method for producing such particles and forming them into such a high surface area body is also described.

Abstract: An inexpensive method for making a durable porous overcoat on a noble metal exhaust electrode of a solid electrolyte exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The electrode is coated with aluminum flakes and the aluminum flakes oxidized in situ by heating in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A titanium oxide resistive-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor having a unique microstructure of interlocked highly irregular, flake-like particles forming a highly durable porous body preferably having a surface area greater than about 3 square meters per gram. A method for producing such particles and forming them into such a high surface area body is also described.

Abstract: An energy-saving method of making boron-containing strontium ferrite magnets. A water-insoluble source of boron oxide, such as ferro-boron, is used as the boron source in the reactant mixture, along with other water-insoluble reactants. The ferrite reactants are dispersed in a water slurry and milled prior to calcining, without concurrently dissolving the source of boron oxide. Accordingly, flash drying of the slurry before calcining is unnecessary. Reactants and water are mechanically separated after milling, leaving a residue stoichiometrically corresponding to the desired composition. Hence, energy and natural gas are conserved. The residue can then be calcined and further processed in any convenient manner.

Abstract: A reflective mode liquid crystal cell having an integral self-actuating heater for maintaining a liquid crystal material in the cell above a temperature at which it solidifies. In this cell, the liquid crystal material is disposed between a transparent member, and a member having a nontransparent barium titanate portion. The barium titanate positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistance has a preselected Curie temperature above the temperature at which the liquid crystal material solidifies. A single power source can be used for electro-optic display, and heat generated by current flow through the barium titanate.

Abstract: An extremely high output and durable thermoelectric sensor for detecting the quantitative content of combustibles in an exhaust gas. Thick film coatings of lithia-nickel and doped titanium dioxide provide two thermocouple junctions on a ceramic substrate. An exhaust gas oxidation catalyst adjacent one of the junctions provides a junction temperature differential when the ceramic body is exposed to exhaust gas flow. The output difference between the two junctions is proportional to the concentration of residual combustibles in the exhaust gas.