Abstract: A silicone rubber composition comprising about 0.05 to 10 wt % cerium oxide powder having a BET specific surface area not less than 80 m2/g and a pH value measured of a 3 wt % aqueous dispersion thereof of about pH 2 to 5.5.

Abstract: A composite oxide having oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability containing 90 to 100 weight % total of cerium, zirconium, and hafnium based on a total amount of metals contained in the composite oxide, the total amount of cerium, zirconium, and hafnium consisting of 14.0 to 70.5 at % cerium, 29.49 to 72.5 at % zirconium, and 0.01 to 13.5 at % hafnium, wherein degree of solid solution of the composite oxide is not lower than 70%, and wherein the composite oxide has reducing property that not less than 90% of tetravalent cerium contained in the composite oxide is reduced into trivalent cerium when the composite oxide is held at 600.degree. C. under a reducing atmosphere; and a method for preparing the composite oxide including the steps of preparing a composite salt from a starting material solution wherein 85 weight % or more of the cerium ions are Ce.sub.4+ by coprecipitation, and subjecting the resulting precipitate to a particular calcining steps including reducing calcination.

Abstract: A shock wave sterilizer for sterilizing a fluid medium, such as food, by having the fluid medium in an elastic container impacted by shock waves and expansion waves emitted from a shock wave source formed by a source of electric current discharging through an electrical conductor to vaporize the electrical conductor to produce a shock wave that is transmitted through a pressure transfer medium to the container and the fluid medium therein.