Abstract: Disclosed is a crystalline metal oxide having a positive charge-induced region and a negative charge-induced region, which has a surface which has protrusions and recesses or a porous surface. The metal which configures the metal oxide is preferably an elemental metal or an elemental metal-containing alloy such as titanium, zirconium, titanium alloy, zirconium alloy or cobalt chromium alloy. The metal oxide is preferably one obtained by an anodic oxidation treatment of the metal which configures the metal oxide and the metal oxide can be suitably used as a biocompatible material or a member constituting a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A method for controlling organisms which comprises growing, decreasing, activating or inactivating cells, bacteria, viruses or fungi at an N-surface or a P-surface of a ceramic which is formed by treating the ceramic by polarization; and a material for controlling organisms, a method for selective adsorption of proteins, a material for selective adsorption of proteins, a cement material for filling bones and dental applications and a biomaterial, in which the ceramic treated by polarization is utilized. By utilizing difference in properties among surfaces of the ceramic treated by polarization, growth, decrease, activation or inactivation of organisms such as cells, bacteria, viruses or fungi can be controlled. Therefore, the above methods and materials are useful in the medical, dental and biochemical areas.

Abstract: A method of converting a feed solid polycrystalline of .beta. alumina into a hydronium conductor requires the preselection of an appropriate feed ceramic preferably with a chemical formula;(Na.sub.0.6 K.sub.0.4).sub.2 O (3 w/o MgO).beta./.beta."Al.sub.2 O.sub.3and with a f(.beta.) of 0.37.+-.0.03wherein ##EQU1## The crystallographic lattice is altered by placing the solid feed ceramic in an ionic solution or melt containing two or more ionic species of different ionic radii; the composition of the melt or solution being written: M.sub.1, M.sub.2 (M.sub.3 . . . ) X where M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 (and M.sub.3 etc.) are ions of dissimilar size and as examples sodium, potassium, lithium and hydronium ions. After a time the material is removed, washed and subjected to a field effect exchange whereby the desired hydronium conducting solid ceramic having the following chemical composition is achieved;(H.sub.3 O.sub.a.sup.+ /Na.sub.b.sup.+ /K.sub.c.sup.+).sub.2 O Z.beta./.beta."Al.sub.2 O.sub.3where (a)(b)(c)=0.fwdarw.

Abstract: The spray-drying of a feed liquid mixture containing dissolved feed elements is used to produce precursor powders of Na.sup.+ -super conducting sodium gadolinium silicate (Na.sub.5 GdSi.sub.4 O.sub.12), (NGS), and sodium yttrium silicate (Na.sub.5 YSi.sub.4 O.sub.12), NYS. Using these powders, very dense (>97% theoretical) solids are obtained on sintering. The resistivities of the NGS and NYS polycrystalline ceramics are 5 and 7 (.OMEGA. cm) respectively at 300.degree. C. and are dependent on the f(NGS) or f(NYS) values. In the case of NYS, the resistivity/f(NYS) relationship takes the form ##EQU1## indicative of resistive and conductive phases mixed more in parallel than in series.

Abstract: An hydronium polycrystalline superionic conductor, having the formula (H.sub.3 O.sup.+,Na.sup.+).sub.5 (Re)Si.sub.4 O.sub.12, where Re=Y or Gd, is produced from precursor material being Na.sub.5 YSi.sub.4 O.sub.12 or Na.sub.5 GdSi.sub.4 O.sub.12. In order to accomplish the aforesaid a range of intermediate ceramics may be produced replacing part of the precursor ceramic sodium by ions of elements in 1A group of the Periodic Table that have an atomic weight above 32 and preferably ions of potassium, cesium, or mixtures of potassium and cesium.To produce the superionic hydronium polycrystalline ceramic conductor and the intermediate ceramic from the feed ceramics aforesaid, the feed ceramic is placed in a chloride melt wherein part of the sodium in the feed ceramic lattice is replaced by an appropriate cation from the melt such as potassium and cesium. Subsequently, a field assisted ionic exchange takes place to now replace the interceded potassium and cesium ions with the hydronium (H.sub.3 O.sup.