Abstract: A method of preparing a magnetostrictive material, including the steps of: (a) forming a melt of metals having a composition corresponding to the magnetostrictive material; (b) subjecting the melt to a micro-gravity environment; and (c) cooling the melt in the micro-gravity environment at a rate of at least 50° C. per second, while applying a magnetic field to the melt, to solidity the melt.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a crystal thin plate of a substance capable of forming a crystal, wherein a molten layer of the substance formed on a support is cooled in the atmosphere of an inert gas or in vacuum at a rate of 10-300° C. per second under a micro-gravity environment to solidify and crystallize the molten layer. The cooling is performed by contacting a portion of the support with a cooling medium.

Abstract: A composite material having a plurality of laminated polysilylenemethylene layers each having an inside region adjacent to a surface thereof in which nanoparticles of a metal of Au, Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag are dispersed. The composite material is produced by heating a layer of disilacyclobutane overlaid with a layer of nanoparticles of the above metal to polymerize the disilacyclobutane. The above procedure is repeated at least once more.

Abstract: A method of preparing a magnetostrictive material, including the steps of:

Abstract: A method of preparing a crystalline or amorphous material, wherein a droplet of a melt of a metal-containing material is cooled in the atmosphere of an inert gas or in vacuum and in a microgravity environment to solidify the droplet. The cooling is performed by impingement of the droplet prior to solidification against a cooling surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting an ultraviolet laser beam, which includes irradiating a detector with the ultraviolet laser beam to produce photoluminescence from the detector, and sensing the photoluminescence. The detector includes a specific polysilmethylene compound or a specific polysiloxane compound. A method of recording an information is also disclosed which includes exposing a photosensitive layer to an ultraviolet laser beam according to the information. The photosensitive layer includes a specific polysilmethylene compound or a specific polysiloxane compound. By irradiating the exposed photosensitive layer to a reference ultraviolet laser beam, the recorded information is read.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recovering method of a catalytic substance and a carrier from a waste catalyst which comprises subjecting the waste catalyst composed of a catalyst prepared by supporting a catalytic substance on a carrier composed of pourous silicon carbide to chlorinating treatment and then recovering the catalytic substance and the carrier in the form of chlorides.

Abstract: There are disclosed a catalyst which comprises a carrier composed of a porous silicon carbide or a porous silicon nitride prepared by a silicon-accumulated biomass and a catalytic substance supported thereon, and a method for preparing a catalyst which comprises supporting a catalytic substance on a porous silicon carbide or a porous silicon nitride prepared by subjecting a silicon-accumulated biomass to heat treatment under an argon or a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: A silica-containing material such as silica sand, a carbonized biomass or biomass ash is converted into carbon tetrachloride by reaction with chlorine gas at an elevated temperature in the presence of a carbonaceous material such as coke, and sulfur or a sulfur compound. The reaction may be suitably performed in the further presence of a potassium compound.