Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly including a pedicle screw, a tulip head, a set screw, and a washer; a packaging assembly for a pedicle screw; a pedicle screw screwdriver assembly; and a set packaging assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation device includes at least two superconductor molded bodies with stored magnetic field configurations above a magnetic guide track. The at least two superconductor molded bodies have at least one of a stored magnetic field configuration with different vertical spacing from the guide track and a stored magnetic field configuration with different horizontal position with respect to the guide track. The at least two superconductor molded bodies are mechanically held in a position deviating from their stored position above the guide track and connected to one another. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Method such as can be used, for example, for producing molded articles from metallic glasses. Method and apparatus are provided in which a good mold filling during casting is achieved in addition to high cooling rates. The method includes introducing a metal-containing melt into an electrically conducting casting mold, the metal-containing melt and the mold being connected in an electrically conducting manner to the outputs of the same voltage source during the introduction into a casting mold, so that a preset current flows through the boundary interface between the melt and the mold. Apparatus is also provided in which there is an electrically conducting connection to a voltage source between a metal-containing melt and an electrically conducting mold for the melt.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of ceramics and relates to a piezoelectric component having a magnetic layer, which can be used, for example, as a resistor component, as a switch element or control or memory element or as a sensor. The invention discloses a piezoelectric component having a magnetic layer, with which the electrical and magnetic properties of the thin film(s) located thereon can be modified by mechanical elongation. In embodiments, a piezoelectric component with magnetic layer which comprises the piezoelectric compound (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3—(x)PbTiO3 where x=0.2 to 0.5 or the piezoelectric compound (1-y)Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3—(y)PbTiO3 where y=0 to 0.2 as a substrate with at least one magnetic thin film applied thereto which has grown epitaxially, is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of materials sciences and relates to a method such as can be used, for example, for producing molded articles from metallic glasses. The object of the present invention lies in disclosing a method and an apparatus in which a good mold filling during casting is achieved in addition to high cooling rates. The object is attained by a method in which a metal-containing melt is introduced into an electrically conducting casting mold, the metal-containing melt and the mold being connected in an electrically conducting manner to the outputs of the same voltage source during the introduction into a casting mold, so that a preset current flows through the boundary interface between the melt and the mold. The object is furthermore attained through an apparatus in which there is an electrically conducting connection to a voltage source between a metal-containing melt and an electrically conducting mold for the melt.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation device includes at least two superconductor molded bodies with stored magnetic field configurations above a magnetic guide track. The at least two superconductor molded bodies have at least one of a stored magnetic field configuration with different vertical spacing from the guide track and a stored magnetic field configuration with different horizontal position with respect to the guide track. The at least two superconductor molded bodies are mechanically held in a position deviating from their stored position above the guide track and connected to one another. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: High-strength, beryllium-free moulded bodies made from zirconium alloys which may be plastically deformed comprise a material essentially corresponding to the following formula in composition: Zra(E1)b(E2)c(E3)d(E4)e, where E1=one or several of Nb, Ta, Mo, Cr, W, Ti, V, Hf and Y, E2=one or several of Cu, Au, Ag, Pd and Pt, E3=one or several of Ni, Co, Fe, Zn and Mn, E4=one or several of AI, Ga, Si, P, C, B, Sn, Pb and Sb, a=100?(b+c+d+e), b=5 to 15, c=5 to 15, d=0 to 15 and e=5 to 15 (a, b, c, d, e in atom %). The moulded body essentially comprises a homogeneous, microstructural structure which is a glass-like or nano-crystalline matrix with a ductile, dendritic, cubic body-centered phase embedded therein.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for the suspension and guidance of suspended vehicles and transport systems creates an intrinsically stable, contactless magnetic suspension and guidance system composed of an assembly of magnetic elements and a superconductor assembly for suspended vehicles and transport systems. At least one part of the magnetic element assembly is physically connected to the superconductor assembly. In addition, the magnetic elements assembly and the superconductor assembly are magnetically intercoupled to maintain a stable distance between at least two magnetic elements by the utilization of a magnetic field that is frozen in the superconductor. The magnetic assembly can be used in particular in those vehicles and transport systems that are configured to be displaced along a magnetic rail without making contact with the latter, thus enabling a displacement devoid of friction and abrasion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of materials engineering and relates to copper-niobium alloys which can be used for producing powder metallurgical products by known shaping methods, e.g., after having been processed into semi-finished products or shaped bodies, and a method for the production thereof. The object of the invention is to disclose copper-niobium alloys and a method for the production thereof in which a homogenous metastable Cu mixed crystal is present and a method for its implementation. The object is attained through a copper-niobium alloy in which, in addition to a copper-niobium mixed crystal, niobium deposits with particle diameters of 5-100 nm are also present in a copper matrix. The object is further attained through a method for producing copper-niobium alloys in which copper powder as matrix material and 0.1 to 50 at. % niobium powder are jointly ground and mechanically alloyed and then subjected to at least one thermal treatment.

Abstract: High-strength, beryllium-free moulded bodies made from zirconium alloys which may be plastically deformed comprise a material essentially corresponding to the following formula in composition: Zra(E1)b(E2)c(E3)d(E4)e, where E1=one or several of Nb, Ta, Mo, Cr, W, Ti, V, Hf and Y, E2=one or several of Cu, Au, Ag, Pd and Pt, E3=one or several of Ni, Co, Fe, Zn and Mn, E4=one or several of AI, Ga, Si, P, C, B, Sn, Pb and Sb, a=100−(b+c+d+e), b=5 to 15, c=5 to 15, d=0 to 15 and e=5 to 15 (a, b, c d, e in atom %). The moulded body essentially comprises a homogeneous, microstructural structure which is a glass-like or nano-crystalline matrix with a ductile, dendritic, cubic body-centred phase embedded therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MgB2 based powder for the production of superconductors, having high reactivity which can be sintered at visibly lower temperatures and which can be compacted in large high density samples having a high superconductive transition temperature and a high critical current. The aim of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the powder is a mechanical alloy powder, whose particles have an average size of d<250 &mgr;m and a substructure consisting of nanocrystalline grains whereby the dimensions thereof are <100 &mgr;m. The inventive powder can also contain additional chemical elements in the crystal grating of the MgB2-power particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet assembly for the suspension and guidance of suspended vehicles and transport systems. The aim of the invention is to create an intrinsically stable, contactiess magnetic suspension and guidance system composed of an assembly of magnetic elements and a superconductor assembly for suspended vehicles and transport systems. According to the invention, at least one part of the magnetic element assembly is physically connected to the superconductor assembly. In addition, the magnetic element assembly and the superconductor assembly are magnetically intercoupled to maintain a stable distance between at least two magnetic elements, by the utilisation of a magnetic field that is frozen in the superconductor. The magnetic assembly can be used in particular in those vehicles and transport systems that are configured to be displaced along a magnetic rail without making contact with the latter, thus enabling a displacement devoid of friction and abrasion.

Abstract: Current-dependent resistive component, especially one that can be used as a switch, sensor or storage element, a ≦4 nm thick layer of manganate which is provided with electrical contacts and has been applied on a substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed enabling a technologically controllable and economical production of a hard-magnetic powder composed of a samarium-cobalt base alloy for highly coercive permanent magnets. The method is based on a HDDR treatment in which a starting powder is subjected to hydrogenation with disproportionation of the alloy in a first method step under hydrogen and, in a subsequent, second method step under vacuum conditions, a hydrogen desorption with recombination of the alloy. A starting powder containing samarium and cobalt is treated in the first method step either at a high temperature in the range of 500° C. to 900° C. and with a high hydrogen pressure of >0.5 MPa or by applying an intensive fine grinding at a low temperature in the range of 50° C. to 500° C. and with a hydrogen pressure of >0.15 MPa.

Abstract: The production of compact molded bodies of rare-earth transition-metal boron carbide and boron nitride compounds configured so as to avoid a selective evaporation of individual components in the production process and enable an exact adjustment of the desired stoichiometry. The process is characterized in thata) a powder mixture with particles sizes from 1 to 250 .mu.

Abstract: A process is provided for a technologically controllable, economic production of hard-magnetic parts from Sm.sub.2 --(Fe,M).sub.17 --C.sub.y -base work materials with interstitial inclusions, where M designates gallium and/or at least one metallic element serving to stabilize a rhombohedral 2:17 structure. A Sm.sub.2 Fe.sub.17-x M.sub.x C.sub.y powder mixture is produced, where x>0.1 and 3.gtoreq.y.gtoreq.0. The mixture is subjected to an intensive fine grinding process in a ball mill. The finely ground mixture is heat-treated in a temperature range from 650.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. for partial or complete recrystallization. The resulting ultra-fine-grain Sm.sub.2 Fe.sub.17-x M.sub.x C.sub.y magnetic powder is compacted to produce magnet bodies by a hot pressing processing in a temperature range from 650.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. The process is applicable, for example, for the production of hard-magnetic parts based on interstitial Sm.sub.2 Fe.sub.17 C.sub.y compounds.

Abstract: Magnetic material of the Sm-Fe-N system exhibits a crystalline hard magnetic phase with a Th.sub.2 Zn.sub.17 crystalline structure wherein N atoms are incorporated in the crystalline lattice. A preliminary product having a dual component Sm.sub.2 Fe.sub.17 phase is produced by mechanical alloying followed by thermal treatment to achieve the desired microstructure. The preliminary product is heated in a nitrous atmosphere, as a result of which, the hard magnetic phase is formed. The preliminary product may also be obtained by a rapid-quenching technique.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layer of a superconducting high-T.sub.c -material. For this purpose, an appropriate target material is deposited on a predetermined substrate by a pulsed laser with a wavelength in the ultraviolet range and, by applying a heat treatment and an oxygen treatment, the desired superconducting metal-oxide phase is formed with an ordered crystal structure. The heat treatment and oxygen treatment are performed simultaneously during the vaporizing step, whereby a power density of the laser radiation of over 3 J/cm.sup.2 at the target material is provided, the pulse power of the laser is at least 1.5 J/pulse, the temperature of the substrate is raised to 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., and an oxygen atmosphere of between 0.02 mbar and 1 mbar is provided.

Abstract: A shaped body of anisotropic magnetic material based on the Sm-Fe-N system which has a crystalline, hard magnetic phase with a Th.sub.2 Zn.sub.17 crystal structure, wherein N atoms are incorporated in the crystal lattice, is produced by compacting a powder Sm-Fe preliminary product with an Sm-Fe phase having a magnetically isotropic structure, followed by hot-shaping to provide an intermediate product with a Sm-Fe phase having a magnetically anisotropic structure, followed by heat treating the intermediate product in a nitrogen atmosphere to provide a Sm-Fe-N hard magnetic phase.