Abstract: A superconductive contact or contact structure composed mainly of superconductors and a hydroxide-catalyzed bond that establishes electrical contacts, retains superconductivity, and provides the full mechanical fastening strength between the superconductors. According to the present invention, the superconductive contact structure exhibits a single-film superconductive behavior. In some embodiments, the structure has a configuration of two metallic low critical-temperature (low-Tc) superconductors, such as niobium (Nb), connectorized by an essentially transparent and extremely thin hydroxide-catalyzed bond. In some embodiments, two ceramic high critical-temperature (high-Tc) superconductors, such as perovskite ceramics (e.g., YBa2Cu3O7 or YBCO in general) are joined via a hydroxide-catalyzed bond. In some embodiments, a metallic low-Tc superconductor and a ceramic high-Tc superconductor is connectorized via a hydroxide-catalyzed bond.

Abstract: A method of bonding substrates by hydroxide-catalyzed hydration/dehydration involves applying a bonding material to at least one surface to be bonded, and placing the at least one surface sufficiently close to another surface such that a bonding interface is formed between them. A bonding material of the invention comprises a source of hydroxide ions, and may optionally include a silicate component, a particulate filling material, and a property-modifying component. Bonding methods of the invention reliably and reproducibly provide bonds which are strong and precise, and which may be tailored according to a wide range of possible applications. Possible applications for bonding materials of the invention include: forming composite materials, coating substrates, forming laminate structures, assembly of precision optical components, and preparing objects of defined geometry and composition. Bonding materials and methods of preparing the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The bonding of two materials through hydroxide-catalyzed hydration/dehydration is achieved at room temperature by applying hydroxide ions to at least one of the two bonding surfaces and by placing the surfaces sufficiently close to each other to form a chemical bond between them. The surfaces may be placed sufficiently close to each other by simply placing one surface on top of the other. A silicate material may also be used as a filling material to help fill gaps between the surfaces caused by surface figure mismatches. A powder of a silica-based or silica-containing material may also be used as an additional filling material. The hydroxide-catalyzed bonding method forms bonds which are not only as precise and transparent as optical contact bonds, but also as strong and reliable as high-temperature frit bonds. The hydroxide-catalyzed bonding method is also simple and inexpensive.