Abstract: The present invention includes uranium-bearing ceramic phase electrodes and electrolysis apparatus and electrolysis methods featuring same, including methods of metal production and the like by the electrolytic reduction of oxides or salts of the respective metals. More particularly, the invention relates to an inert type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, useful in the electrolytic production of such metals. The present invention also includes an inert-type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, used in processes for generating energy from fossil fuels.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus useful in the ceramics industry. More specifically, this invention relates to the fabrication of high melting, wear-resistant ceramics and ceramic composites at low temperatures. The method involves reacting (1) a fluid formed from melting a metal alloy, comprising at least one reactive metal and at least one non-reactive metal, and having a melting temperature substantially below the product material melting point, typically below about 1500 C., with (2) a rigid, porous material. The reaction should occur for a sufficient time to allow the liquid to infiltrate the porous material and allow the active metal(s) to react with the porous material so as to form a ceramic or ceramic composite having a melting temperature substantially higher than 1500 C.

Abstract: The present invention is focused on a revolutionary, low-cost (highly-scaleable) approach for the mass production of three-dimensional microcomponents: the biological reproduction of naturally-derived, biocatalytically-derived, and/or genetically-tailored three-dimensional microtemplates (e.g., frustules of diatoms, microskeletons of radiolarians, shells of mollusks) with desired dimensional features, followed by reactive conversion of such microtemplates into microcomponents with desired compositions that differ from the starting microtemplate and with dimensional features that are similar to those of the starting microtemplate. Because the shapes of such microcomponents may be tailored through genetic engineering of the shapes of the microtemplates, such microcomposites are considered to be Genetically-Engineered Materials (GEMs).

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fabricating shaped monolithic ceramics and ceramic composites, and the ceramics and composites made thereby. The method of the present invention includes three basic steps: (1) Synthesis or other acquisition of a porous preform with an appropriate composition, pore fraction, and overall shape is prepared or obtained. The pore fraction of the preform is tailored so that the reaction-induced increase in solid volume can compensate partially or completely for such porosity. It will be understood that the porous preform need only be sufficiently dimensionally stable to resist the capillary action of the infiltrated liquid reactant; (2) Infiltration: The porous preform is infiltrated with a liquid reactant; and (3) Reaction: The liquid reactant is allowed to react partially or completely with the solid preform to produce a dense, shaped body containing desired ceramic phase(s).

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to describe a novel approach for converting 3-dimensional, synthetic micro- and nano-templates into different materials with a retention of shape/dimensions and morphological features. The ultimate objective of this approach is to mass-produce micro- and nano-templates of tailored shapes through the use of synthetic or man-made micropreforms, and then chemical conversion of such templates by controlled chemical reactions into near net-shaped, micro- and nano-components of desired compositions. The basic idea of this invention is to obtain a synthetic microtemplate with a desired shape and with desired surface features, and then to convert the microtemplate into a different material through the use of chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention is focused on a revolutionary, low-cost (highly-scaleable) approach for the mass production of three-dimensional microcomponents: the biological reproduction of naturally-derived, biocatalytically-derived, and/or genetically-tailored three-dimensional microtemplates (e.g., frustules of diatoms, microskeletons of radiolarians, shells of mollusks) with desired dimensional features, followed by reactive conversion of such microtemplates into microcomponents with desired compositions that differ from the starting microtemplate and with dimensional features that are similar to those of the starting microtemplate. Because the shapes of such microcomponents may be tailored through genetic engineering of the shapes of the microtemplates, such microcomposites are considered to be Genetically-Engineered Materials (GEMs).

Abstract: An elongated superconducting body has a core of superconducting oxide grains, and a constraining nonsuperconducting boundary substantially superscribing the superconducting core. The core has thin dimension that is less than or equal to ten times the average length of the grains and the grains are oriented with their a-b crystallographic planes coplanar with a line extending in the longitudinally-extending direction of the core.

Abstract: The process of the present invention comprises a method for fabricating shaped monolithic ceramics and ceramic composites through displacive compensation of porosity, and ceramics and composites made thereby. The method of the present invention includes three basic steps: 1) Synthesis or other acquisition of a porous preform: A porous preform with an appropriate composition, pore fraction, and overall shape is prepared or obtained. The pore fraction of the preform is tailored so that the reaction-induced increase in solid volume can compensate partially or completely for such porosity. It will be understood that the porous preform need only be sufficiently dimensionally stable to resist the capillary action of the infiltrated liquid reactant; 2) Infiltration: The porous preform is infiltrated with a liquid reactant; and 3) Reaction: The liquid reactant is allowed to react partially or completely with the solid preform to produce a dense, shaped body containing desired ceramic phase(s).

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for oxygenating oxide superconductive materials, and superconductive oxide materials made by said method. In broadest terms, the method of the present invention is based on an oxygenation strategy which uses temperatures higher than those typically used in the final stages of the oxygenation processes of the prior art. In the method of the present invention, higher oxygen chemical potentials are used to access higher temperatures to allow for higher oxygen diffusivity without a significant decrease in oxygen solubility.

Abstract: A composite for preparation of an oxide superconductor includes a primary alloy phase of constituent elements of a desired oxide superconductor; and a secondary phase comprising copper, the secondary phase supported by the primary alloy phase. The composite may additionally include a matrix material for supporting the primary alloy phase and second phase disposed therein. The composite is oxidized to form an oxide superconductor composite.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of oxygenating an oxide superconductive material having an initial oxygen content, the method comprising the steps: (a) obtaining an oxide superconductive material, the material having an initial oxygen content; and (b) placing the oxide superconductive material in contact an oxygen-containing media having an oxygen chemical potential greater than that of pure diatomic oxygen at 1 atmosphere pressure and at 300.degree. C., and raising the temperature of the oxide superconductive material to a temperature above about 400.degree. C., and maintaining the oxide superconductive material at the temperature and under the chemical potential of oxygen for sufficient time so as to alter the oxygen content of the oxide superconductive material from the initial oxygen content.

Abstract: The present invention includes uranium-bearing ceramic phase electrodes and electrolysis apparatus and electrolysis methods featuring same, including methods of metal production and the like by the electrolytic reduction of oxides or salts of the respective metals. More particularly, the invention relates to an inert type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, useful in the electrolytic production of such metals. The present invention also includes an inert-type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, used in processes for generating energy from fossil fuels.

Abstract: An unsegregated metal oxide/silver composite wire is provided having a plurality of metal oxide filaments disposed within a matrix comprising silver, wherein the filaments are comprised of at least copper, and an intermediate region comprising copper oxide and silver in contact with and surrounding each of the metal oxide filaments. The intermediate region has a thickness of no greater than three microns. Each of the metal oxide filaments extends continuously for the length of the wire, and each of the metal oxide filaments is separated from adjacent filaments by the matrix.

Abstract: A composite for preparation of an oxide superconductor includes a primary alloy phase of constituent elements of a desired oxide superconductor; and a secondary phase comprising copper, the secondary phase supported by the primary alloy phase. The composite may additionally include a matrix material for supporting the primary alloy phase and second phase disposed therein. The composite is oxidized to form an oxide superconductor composite.

Abstract: A method for forming unsegregated metal oxide-silver composites includes preparing a precursor alloy comprising silver and precursor elements of a desired metal oxide and oxidizing the alloy under conditions of high oxygen activity selected to permit diffusion of oxygen into silver while significantly restricting the diffusion of the precursor elements into silver, such that oxidation of the precursor elements to the metal oxide occurs before diffusion of the metallic elements into silver. Further processing of the metal oxide composite affords an oxide superconducting composite with a highly unsegregated microstructure.

Abstract: Shaped refractory ceramic and refractory ceramic composite objects are made from corresponding shaped, oxidation-resistant-metal-bearing objects through exposure to an oxidizing environment without substantial changes in dimensions by providing in the shaped metal-bearing objects a combination of a) metals which when oxidized form a ceramic compound with a larger molar volume than the molar volume of the metals consumed to make the ceramic compound with b) metals which when oxidized form a ceramic compound with a smaller molar volume than the molar volume of the metals consumed to make the ceramic compound.

Abstract: Principal types of dielectric ceramics include capacitors, and piezoelectric electroptic and optical ceramics. The former are typically barium titanates, the latter, so-called PZT or PLZT materials. The ceramic materials are made by forming an alloy including the metallic elements in substantially stoichiometric proportions, and then oxidizing the alloy to produce the ceramic. In preferred embodiments, the alloy includes a dopant that is encapsulated in a noble metal, preferably silver. Preferred dielectrics are made by making a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of alloy layers (typically less than 20, and preferably less than 5, microns thick) are separated by conductive layers (preferably a noble metal), and then oxidizing the overall structure to form a multi-layer capacitor.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminated ceramic. The method includes preparing a precursor having at least one noble metal element component and at least two non-noble metal elements. The precursor is exposed to a first environment to form an oxidized zone having a first concentration of a primary ceramic phase containing the non-noble metal elements. The precursor is next exposed to a second environment to form a second oxidized zone having a second concentration of the primary ceramic phase, the second concentration being less than the first concentration. The precursor is repeatedly exposed to each environment to form a plurality of zones with the first concentration of the primary ceramic phase separated by zones with the second concentration of the ceramic.

Abstract: An improved method for making preforms by vapor deposition soot laydown processes is provided wherein an oxidizing atmosphere is used during at least part of the laydown process, e.g., during the laydown of the center portion of the preform. The use of such an atmosphere has been found to result in enhanced dopant capture, reduced axial trends, and an overall stabilization of the laydown process. A method for selecting burner flows which optimize the laydown process is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for production of silver-containing precursor alloys to oxide superconductors, said alloys having reduced amounts of intermetallics. Powders containing metallic elemental components of an oxide superconductor are high energy milled for a predetermined amount of time to increase homogeneity of the mixed metallic elemental components of the oxide superconductor. Silver is then high energy milled into the metallic components. The mixed silver and metallic elemental components of the oxide superconductor are compacted for the silver-containing superconductor precursor. The compacted powder is preferably hot worked at a temperature of at least 50% of the precursor alloy's melting temperature in degrees Kelvin.