Abstract: A production method of a fuel cell electrode catalyst includes: a supporting step of causing platinum and yttrium to be supported on a carrier using a nonaqueous solvent; and an acid treatment step of performing an acid treatment on the carrier on which platinum and yttrium are supported.

Abstract: A production method of a fuel cell electrode catalyst includes: a supporting step of causing platinum and yttrium to be supported on a carrier using a nonaqueous solvent; and an acid treatment step of performing an acid treatment on the carrier on which platinum and yttrium are supported.

Abstract: A wear-resistant coated member comprising 26 to 80% by weight of silicon (Si), additional components if required and necessary, the remainder being aluminum (Al), and unavoidable impurities, wherein Si is in a fine particle, and has an average particle size in the range of 0.01 to less than 10 .mu.m, and Al matrix and 3% by weight or more of Si form solid solutions. The wear-resistant coated member has excellent wear resistance and machinability.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two ceramics using microwave energy, having a cavity resonator in which the ceramics are placed; a microwave-generator means for producing microwave radiation to be introduced into the cavity resonator; a pressurizer for pressing the joining surfaces of the ceramics against each other; and a temperature controller for controlling the temperature distribution of the ceramics in such a way that the temperature of the ceramics at the joining surfaces is highest and rapidly decreases toward the unjoined ends of the ceramics is disclosed. The microwave-generator may include a microwave oscillator, a klystron amplifier, and an isolator. The temperature controller can be a dielectric heater or a combination of a dielectric heater and a temperature difference-producer.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a ceramic by microwave power. The apparatus has a cavity resonator in which the ceramic is placed. The resonator is provided with a variable iris. The apparatus detects the temperature of the ceramic or other state of the ceramic, and adjusts the area of the opening in the iris in the resonator and the resonant frequency of the resonator according to the signal produced by the detection, in order to bring the resonator substantially into resonance and the degree of coupling to exactly or nearly unity. Alternatively, the apparatus adjusts its microwave power for these purposes. The apparatus can heat the ceramic efficiently at a desired heating rate.