Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3–5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3-5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: A composition is derived from an addition polymerizable organotitanium polymer which upon exposure to an oxygen plasma or baking in air, is converted to titanium dioxide (titania) or is converted to a mixed, titanium-containing metal oxide. The metal oxide formed in situ imparts etch-resistant action to a patterned photoresist layer. The composition may also be directly deposited and patterned into permanent metal oxide device features by a photolithographic process.

Abstract: A ceramic membrane element for an oxygen separator is formed from a ceramic material represented by the structure: A1-xA′xB1-yB′yO3-z where A is a lanthanide element; A′ is a suitable lanthanide element dopant; B is selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc and mixtures thereof; B′ is copper; x is between 0.4 and 0.8; y is between 0.1 and 0.9; and z is>0 (and determined by stoichiometry). When B includes cobalt in an amount greater than 0.1, the included iron content is less than 0.05. The membrane element selectively transports oxygen ions therethrough at a relatively low temperature, with a flux detected at about 600° C. This enables the oxygen separator to be operated at lower temperatures than convention separators that frequently have operating temperatures in excess of 900° C. Mechanical stability may be enhanced by the addition of a second phase to the ceramic.

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate coated with a polycrystalline, metal oxide film using polymeric precursors. The oxide films prepared by the method of the present invention are dense (i.e., substantially free of cracks and pinholes) and may be used, for example, as an electrolyte or electrode in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) or as gas separation membranes.

Abstract: A unitary layered ceramic structure is disclosed which comprises co-sintered layers. The co-sintered structure comprises a sintered central layer of yttria stabilized zirconia ("YSZ") which is about 8 mole percent yttria and having a density of at least about 95% of theoretical, and sintered outer layers of strontium lanthanum manganite ("LSM") having the approximate molecular composition La.sub.0.8 Sr.sub.0.2 MnO.sub.3, having a density from about 50 to about 60% of theoretical, and having interconnected porosity from about 40 to 50% with an interconnected pore diameter from about one micron to about five microns. The sintered central layer is sandwiched by and bonded and sintered to the outer layers and is essentially free of significant amounts of manganese.A process for making the unitary composition-of-matter is also disclosed which involves tape casting a LSM tape and then on top thereof casting a YSZ tape. The process comprises presintering LSM powder at 1250.degree. F.

Abstract: An unitary layered ceramic structure is disclosed which comprises co-sintered layers. The co-sintered structure comprises a sintered central layer of yttria stabilized zirconia ("YSZ") which is about 8 mole percent yttria and having a density of at least about 95% of theoretical, and sintered outer layers of strontium lanthanum manganite ("LSM") having the approximate molecular composition La.sub.0.8 Sr.sub.0.2 MnO.sub.3, having a density from about 50 to about 60% of theoretical, and having interconnected porosity from about 40 to 50% with an interconnected pore diameter from about one micron to about five microns. The sintered central layer is sandwiched by and bonded and sintered to the outer layers and is essentially free of significant amounts of manganese.A process for making the unitary composition-of-matter is also disclosed which involves tape casting a LSM tape and then on top thereof casting a YSZ tape. The process comprises presintering LSM powder at 1250.degree. F.

Abstract: An electronically conductive interconnect layer for use in a fuel cell or other electrolytic device is formed with sintering additives to permit densification in a monolithic structure with the electrode materials. Additions including an oxide of boron and a eutectic forming composition of Group 2A metal fluorides with Group 3B metal fluorides and Group 2A metal oxides with Group 6B metal oxides lower the required firing temperature of lanthanum chromite to permit densification to in excess of 94% of theoretical density without degradation of electrode material lamina. The monolithic structure is formed by tape casting thin layers of electrode, interconnect and electrolyte materials and sintering the green lamina together under common densification conditions.

Abstract: A hard surfaced heavy duty cutting tool having an abrasive insert and method for hard surfacing and bonding metallic materials. The composition used in hard surfacing comprises a slurry coating including a high nickel, metal alloy powder and a fluxing agent. The slurry composition is fused at temperatures of about 1830.degree.-1925.degree. F. to bond an abrasive cutting element, such as tungsten carbide in a base metal matrix, to a cutting tool to form the primary working element thereof. The slurry composition is also fused at the same temperature range to form a wear surface of the tool adjacent to the abrasive insert as a hard surface, wear resistant coating in which abrasive compounds and other materials may be incorporated.