Abstract: A method of treating a part made of a superconductive ceramic of the (Ln).sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. type, where Ln is chosen from the rare earth elements other than cerium and terbium, the method being designed to reduce the value of .delta., in which method said part is heat treated in an oxidizing atmosphere, said method being wherein, during said treatment, an electric current with a density lying in the range 0.1 A/cm.sup.2 to 2 A/cm.sup.2 is caused to flow through said part, said treatment atmosphere having a partial pressure of oxygen lying in the range 0.1 atmospheres to 1 atmosphere, the treatment temperature lying in the range 200.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and the duration of said treatment lying in the range 1 hour to 200 hours.

Abstract: A design and process for making hermetically sealed thermocompression feedthrough and peripheral seal for high temperature Li Alloy FeS.sub.x battery cells and battery enclosures. The selected materials and processes parameters are developed to match the high temperature Li Alloy/FeS.sub.x system.

Abstract: A method of making a high critical temperature superconductive fiber by fiber drawing a material of the family Bi.sub.x Pb.sub.y Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.z where 1.9.ltoreq. x+y.ltoreq. 2.3. In the method a preform is made, fiber drawing is performed, and the resulting fiber is annealed in air, wherein said preform is constituted by a block of vitreous material having the formula Bi.sub.x P.sub.y Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.z where: 1.9.ltoreq. x+y.ltoreq. 2.3 and a tube surrounding said block and made of a vitreous material having the formula Bi.sub.x' Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.1 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.z' with 1.5.ltoreq. x'.ltoreq. 2.2.

Abstract: The fiter membrane comprises a porous structure made of a material selected from sintered ceramics, sintered metals, microporous carbon, and microporous glass, and is characterized by the fact that its entire external surface, including the inside surface of the pores in the structure, is covered with a thin and continuous film of carbon or of an oxide. In a sintered aluminum membrane, the surfaces of pores are coated with a dense and continuous thin layer of zirconia which prevents the surfaces from being degraded in service. In the figure, curve 3 shows how the throughput of a membrane without a zirconia layer falls off over time, while curve 4 shows little change in the same membrane having such a layer.

Abstract: A coil-like conductor of superconducting material is made from a solid element of sintered superconducting oxide, having a high critical temperature, with the shape of said conductor being imparted thereto by machining the solid element, thus constituting a self-supporting structure.

Abstract: The filter membrane comprises a porous structure made of a material selected from sintered ceramics, sintered metals, microporous carbon, and microporous glass, and is characterized by the fact that its entire external surface, including the inside surface of the pores in the structure, is covered with a thin and continuous film of carbon or of an oxide. In a sintered aluminum membrane, the surfaces of pores are coated with a dense and continuous thin layer of zirconia which prevents the surfaces from being degraded in service. In the figure, curve 3 shows how the throughput of a membrane without a zirconia layer falls off over time, while curve 4 shows little change in the same membrane having such a layer.

Abstract: Rotating membrane tangential filtration apparatus with low power consumption is characterized by a direct drive system (10) along the axis of its membrane (5), a sealing system (11, 16) between the residue and filtrate compartments, which system used frictional ceramic parts; the diameter of the filter membrane is small relative to its length, and the filter layer is arranged on its outside surface; it is provided with a system for taking up the slack caused by differential expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new structure for a sodium-sulphur cell. Such a cell comprises a cathode tank containing sulphur, an electrolyte tube closed, at its lower end, containing sodium and immersed in sulphur, a sodium anode tank, a ceramic support holding the said tank and the tube, the cathode tank being fitted with graphite felt washers ensuring cathode collection of the current, the outside face of the electrolyte tube being, except for the lower end, lined with a porous insulating coating, a graphite felt part being, moreover, inserted between the said lower end of the electrolyte tube and the bottom of the cathode tank. The invention is implemented in sodium sulphur cell batteries for electric vehicles.

Abstract: Process of production of a separate phase, especially a solid phase of modified composition, from a matrix in liquid phase.Starting at a temperature at which the matrix is entirely molten, it is subjected to the action of an electromagnetic field, with such a frequency that the induced currents can be developed in the entire mass, and then the matrix is cooled, while maintaining the electromagnetic field, to a temperature range which causes the separation of a separate phase, especially a solid phase, and this phase is collected, under the effect of the electromagnetic field, in a certain zone of the matrix in the form of a compact mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sodium-sulphur battery for electrical drive. It is formed by elements each comprising a cathode tank containing sulphur, a solid electrolyte tube closed at its lower end, containing sodium and arranged in the said cathode tank, a ceramic insulating support for keeping the said electrolyte tube in the said cathode tank, an anode tank containing a supply of sodium, that battery being characterized in that it comprises m groups of n modules each comprising p elements, those elements being electrically interconnected in parallel in each of the modules by means of plates connected to the bottoms of the said cathode tanks and anode tanks respectively, each of the said plates comprising a substantially central bore. The invention is implemented for propelling all electric vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sodium-sulphur type electric cell. The cell includes a cathode tank containing sulphur and an anode tank containing sodium, fixed to an alumina plate, as well as an electrolyte tube immersed in the sulphur, such fixing being effected by disposing an aluminium seal between the tank and the plate and compressing at a temperature close to but less than the melting point of aluminium, at least the cathode tank being advantageously made of chrome-plated steel. The invention is implemented in electric cells for electric propulsion.