Abstract: Titanium-containing articles having improved surface finishes and methods for improving surface finishes on titanium containing articles are provided. One method includes passing an abrasive medium across a surface of an titanium aluminide alloy-containing article, for example, a turbine blade, at high linear speed; deforming the surface of the titanium aluminide alloy-containing article with the abrasive medium and reducing a surface roughness of the surface of the titanium aluminide alloy-containing article and improving the surface finish of the surface. Surface finishes of 20 microinches Ra or less can be obtained. Though aspects of the invention can be used in fabricating high performance turbine blades, the methods disclosed can be applied to the treatment of any titanium-containing article for which it is difficult to obtain an improved surface finish.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lamp is provided with an arc envelope including a ceramic, an end member including a material different from the ceramic, and a compliant seal disposed between the end member and the arc envelope. The compliant seal includes a plurality of layers having different thermal expansion characteristics in an order of gradual change between the arc envelope and the end member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a molybdenum-rhenium alloy in the construction of sealing tubes for high pressure discharge lamps.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lamp is provided with an arc envelope including a ceramic, an end member including a material different from the ceramic, and a compliant seal disposed between the end member and the arc envelope. The compliant seal includes a plurality of layers having different thermal expansion characteristics in an order of gradual change between the arc envelope and the end member.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lamp is provided with an arc envelope including a ceramic, an end member including a material different from the ceramic, and a compliant seal disposed between the end member and the arc envelope. The compliant seal includes a plurality of layers having different thermal expansion characteristics in an order of gradual change between the arc envelope and the end member.

Abstract: An electrically conducting cermet comprises at least one transition metal element dispersed in a matrix of at least one refractory oxide selected from the group consisting of yttria, alumina, garnet, magnesium aluminum oxide, and combinations; wherein an amount of the at least one transition metal element is less than 15 volume percent of the total volume of the cermet. A device comprises the aforementioned electrically conducting cermet.

Abstract: A conductive element including a core and a coating, wherein the core comprises a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, rhenium, rhenium alloys, molybdenum-rhenium alloys, and combinations thereof, and wherein the coating comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, silicon, a silicon alloy, chromium, a chromium alloy, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lamp is provided with an arc envelope including a ceramic, an end member including a material different from the ceramic, and a compliant seal disposed between the end member and the arc envelope. The compliant seal includes a plurality of layers having different thermal expansion characteristics in an order of gradual change between the arc envelope and the end member.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system having a vacuum vessel positioned about an imaging volume, one or more high temperature superconducting coils positioned within the vacuum vessel, and a cryocooler coupled to the vacuum vessel to operate the superconducting coil at a temperature above 10 K. At least one gradient coil is positioned between an imaging volume and the superconducting coil without any thermal shielding interposed between the gradient coil and the superconducting coil.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an arc envelope and a niobium end structure coupled to the arc envelope, and wherein the end structure is shielded from a dosing material disposed within the arc envelope.

Abstract: A lamp having a ceramic arc envelope, an end structure coupled to the ceramic arc envelope and extending across an opening in the ceramic arc envelope, where the end structure comprises a passageway communicative with an interior chamber of the ceramic arc envelope is provided. The lamp further includes a molybdenum-rhenium electrode lead extending through and sealed with the passageway. The molybdenum-rhenium electrode lead includes a molybdenum-rhenium alloy. Furthermore, the lamp includes an arc electrode tip coupled to the electrode lead inside the interior chamber.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an arc envelope and a molybdenum-rhenium end structure coupled to the arc envelope.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, the present technique includes a system for sealing a lamp including a thermal shield and a thermally susceptible enclosure disposed adjacent the thermal shield. The thermal shield has a first receptacle adapted to receive a first portion of the lamp. The thermally susceptible enclosure comprises a wall about a second receptacle adapted to receive a second portion of the lamp. The wall has a varying thickness in a desired sealing region between the first and second portions of the lamp.

Abstract: A conductive element comprises a metal core and a coating, wherein the coating comprises at least one layer of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, an aluminide, silicon, a silicon alloy, a silicide, and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one layer has a predetermined thickness. A method of making a conductive element comprises depositing a coating material on a metal core to form a coated metal core and heating the coated metal core to a predetermined temperature to form at least one layer of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, an aluminide, silicon, a silicon alloy, a silicide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electrically conducting cermet comprises at least one transition metal element dispersed in a matrix of at least one refractory oxide selected from the group consisting of yttria, alumina, garnet, magnesium aluminum oxide, and combinations; wherein an amount of the at least one transition metal element is less than 15 volume percent of the total volume of the cermet. A device comprises the aforementioned electrically conducting cermet.

Abstract: A lamp comprising an arc envelope and an end structure coupled to the arc envelope, and wherein the end structure comprises at least one opening adapted to support an arc electrode and to receive a dosing material into the arc envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for making a wire comprising contacting a first end of a first superconducting wire with a second end of a second superconducting wire, wherein the superconducting wire comprises a superconducting filament having a superconducting composition comprising magnesium diboride; heating the first end of the first superconducting wire with the second end of the second superconducting wire at a point to form a joint, wherein the superconducting filament having the superconducting composition is in continuous electrical contact with any other part of the superconducting filament after the formation of the joint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a molybdenum-rhenium alloy in the construction of sealing tubes for high pressure discharge lamps.

Abstract: Non-circular holes are formed by electrochemical machining with an electrode that includes a hollow shank having a circular cross-section and a hollow tip section having a non-circular cross-section disposed on one end of the shank. The tip section is very small in length relative to the shank such that the shank comprises a large majority of the electrode's overall length. Because the majority of the electrode is circular in cross-section, it is relatively easy to straighten the electrode prior to a machining operation and to keep it straight during the operation, thereby overcoming problems experienced with full-length, non-circular electrodes. The circular shank also avoids electrolyte pressure imbalances and eases the difficulty and high cost of manufacturing electrodes capable of forming non-circular holes.

Abstract: Non-circular holes are formed by electrochemical machining with an electrode that includes a hollow shank having a circular cross-section and a hollow tip section having a non-circular cross-section disposed on one end of the shank. The tip section is very small in length relative to the shank such that the shank comprises a large majority of the electrode's overall length. Because the majority of the electrode is circular in cross-section, it is relatively easy to straighten the electrode prior to a machining operation and to keep it straight during the operation, thereby overcoming problems experienced with full-length, non-circular electrodes. The circular shank also avoids electrolyte pressure imbalances eases the difficulty and high cost of manufacturing electrodes capable of forming non-circular holes.