Abstract: The invention relates to a process of eliminating high chloride-containing incinerator ash and incinerator ash-residue mixtures, without generating excessive heavy metal-containing effluents during the actual vitrification of the ash. The process involves first pretreating the incinerator ash or ash-residue mixture, if needed, whereby the resultant ash contains less than about 3% halogen by weight and less than about 3% C.. Following the pretreatment, the ash is dried and then mixed with any additives needed to make up a vitrifiable batch mixture which will, when subsequently vitrified, form a glass possessing an excellent acid durability. A durability whereby such that the weight loss of the glass in 5% HCl solution at 95.degree. C. is 2.0 mg/cm.sup.2 or less in 24 hours. This durability results in minimal or non-detectable leaching of hazardous heavy metal or non-metallic specie and is sufficient enough durability such that the vitrified glass will easily pass the EPA's test for leachability.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic superconductor is disclosed, having a nominal stoichiometric composition consisting essentially of the oxides of Bi, Ca, Sr, Cu and Zn in the stoichiometric formula range: Bi.sub.2 Ca.sub.x Sr.sub.z Zn.sub.n Cu.sub.w O.sub.y, wherein x ranges about 1-2, z ranges about 1-2, n ranges about 0.001-2, w ranges about 1-2, and y ranges about 6-11. These compositions exhibit greatly improved glass stability, yet can yield highly crystalline superconductors which may include large platelet crystals and which can exhibit very low room temperature resistivity.

Abstract: A power cell having an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte is improved by having as the solid electrolyte a glass comprising either (1) from about 22 mole percent to about 47 mole percent Na.sub.2 O, from about 4 mole percent to about 9 mole percent Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from about 47 mole percent to about 70 mole percent SiO.sub.2 or (2) from about 34 mole percent to about 47 mole percent Li.sub.2 O, from about 5 mole percent to about 9 mole percent Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from about 47 mole percent to about 58 mole percent SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte for power cells, especially power cells having a copper anode and a copper sulfide cathode, comprises a solid solution of from about 70 mole percent to about 90 mole percent of copper iodide and from about 30 mole percent to about 10 mole percent, respectively, of zinc iodide.