Abstract: A method of electroless deposition of gold from a solution onto ceramic oxide superconducting particles is characterized by the steps: (1) adding gold chloride to organic solvent-optional reducing agent for the gold chloride to provide a gold solution, (2) mixing the ceramic oxide superconducting particles with the gold solution, to provide a suspension, (3) optionally adding reducing agent for the gold chloride, (4) stirring and heating the suspension to deposit a layer of gold metal on the particles, and (5) separating the particles.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a method of making a niobium alloy having the general formula Nb.sub.y M where M is aluminum, gallium, indium, tin, germanium, silicon, or a mixture thereof. A niobium halide having the formula NbX.sub.y is reactive with M in a solution of a liquid alkali metal, where X is halogen and y is the valence of niobium. Also disclosed are spherical particles of the superconducting niobium alloy which are made by this method and a wire and magnet made from these particles.

Abstract: A method of removing tenacious oxide film from particulates, such as submicron sized superconductor powder, to enhance the electrical characteristics of superconductor wire fabricated from the powder. The method includes removing the oxide film with an alkali metal, or a hydroxide of an alkali metal, and coating or plating the particles with a metal whose oxide is easily reduced just prior to use, such as by annealing the coated particulate in hydrogen.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic material is integrally incorporated with each of the ionic beads of one component of a mixed ionic resin bed containing more than one ionic bead component, such that the one ionic bead component can be separated from the other component by attraction to a magnetic field. Ionic beads containing a ferromagnetic material are attracted to an inhomogeneous magnetic field while other ionic beads devoid of the ferromagnetic material are not so attracted. In another embodiment, a ferromagnetic material having a specific Curie temperature may be incorporated with one ionic bead component while the other bead component contains a different ferromagnetic material having a different Curie temperature.

Abstract: Selected isotopes of zirconium are separated by irradiating vapor of material consisting of hydrolysis-resistant compounds dicyclopentadienyl zirconium dichloride, dicyclopentadienyl zirconium di-isopropoxide and/or dicyclopentadienyl zirconium di-tert-butoxide with a laser beam tuned to vibration of an excitable band of the component of the compounds including the selected isotope. The component of the material including the excited band is separated from the remainder of the material. Parts for a nuclear reactor are made of zirconium derived from the separated material or from the remainder, whichever has the lower neutron-absorption cross section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a continuous mixed oxide thin film. A composition is prepared of an alkoxide source of one of the metals in the mixed oxide, a chelate source of a second metal in the mixed oxide, sufficient alcohol to solubilize sources of all metals in said mixed oxide and about 1 to about 2 moles of water per mole of mixed oxide. The composition is applied to a substrate and the coating on the substrate is heated to at least about 500.degree. C. to evaporate the solvent and produce the mixed oxide film on the substrate.

Abstract: This is a method for preparing submicron-superconducting particles for use in forming a ductile superconductor wire from brittle superconducting compounds. The method utilizes preparing a mixture of solid metal halides containing essentially stoichiometric proportions of metallic components for the desired superconducting compound, co-reducing the mixture with an excess of liquid alkali metal, removing the alkali metal halide produced and the excess alkali metal from the superconducting powder, and annealing the superconducting powder to substantially remove absorbed hydrogen as indicated by the reduction of lattice parameters to essentially nominal values.

Abstract: A transducer for identifying and quantitatively measuring the presence and location of ferromagnetic material, which is specifically suitable for remotely mapping ferromagnetic deposits on pressurized water reactor steam generator tubing. The transducer employs a first source of a magnetic field which is positionable in magnetic communication with and is mounted to be movable over the surface area of the workpiece. Perturbations produced in the magnetic field as a result of ferromagnetic discontinuities associated with the workpiece are sensed by a Hall element fixedly positioned with respect to the source in magnetic communication with the workpiece. Means are provided for altering the magnetic field of the source in communication with the Hall element to substantially null the output of the Hall element in the absence of magnetic material within or on the workpiece within proximity of the Hall element.

Abstract: A heat sink is disclosed which consists of a permanently sealed container which contains LiClO.sub.4.3R.sub.2 O, NH.sub.4 Al(SO.sub.4).sub.2.12R.sub.2 O or (COOH).sub.2.2R.sub.2 O, where R is hydrogen or deuterium. The heat sink can be used in combination with a radiator to protect electronic circuitry or other equipment from temporary overheating.