Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructured solid oxide fuel cell includes dispersing ceria and doped ceria nanoparticles in a first colloidal solution, atomizing the first colloidal solution into a spray, depositing the spray onto a substrate to form a thin film electrolyte, dispersing a nanocomposite powder including ceria and CuO in the first solution, forming a second colloidal solution, atomizing the second colloidal solution into a second spray, and depositing the second spray over the thin film electrolyte as an interfacial layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3-5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructured solid oxide fuel cell includes dispersing ceria and doped ceria nanoparticles in a first colloidal solution, atomizing the first colloidal solution into a spray, depositing the spray onto a substrate to form a thin film electrolyte, dispersing a nanocomposite powder including ceria and CuO in the first solution, forming a second colloidal solution, atomizing the second colloidal solution into a second spray, and depositing the second spray over the thin film electrolyte as an interfacial layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3–5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3-5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: A relaxor ferroelectric composition that has the components lead magnesium niobate, lead titanate, and lead magnesium tungstate. The components are preferably present in relative molar amounts of (1-x-y) lead magnesium niobate, (x) lead titanate, and (y) lead magnesium tungstate, where 0.11.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.13 and 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.03. Also disclosed is a tunable ultrasonic transducer made of a relaxor ferroelectric composition that has the components lead magnesium niobate, lead titanate, and lead magnesium tunstate. A method of making a relaxor ferroelectric material comprising the step of adding an effective amount of lead magnesium tungstate to a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: It has been newly determined that in a reaction of an Ag/Pd metallization with Pb from a lead-based ceramics, a maximum solubility of Pb is observed of approximately 14% (atomic percent). By inclusion of an effective amount of Pb in the Ag/Pd metallization, leaching of Pb from a Pb-based ceramic is either reduced or eliminated. Thus, upon firing, the metallization exhibits an equilibration which prevents Pb from being drawn out of the underlying ceramic. Similarly, Ag/Pd metallization shows a maximum solubility of 16 atomic percent for Bi in Bi-based ceramics. Inclusion of an effective amount of Bi in the metallization prevents a Bi leaching from an underlying ceramic.

Abstract: An improved method for fabrication of a multiple-element piezoelectric transducer and the transducer produced thereby. A green precursor tape is produced by doctor-blade tape-casting of a slurry containing lead zirconate-titanate (PZT) powder. After drying, individual strips of the tape are stacked between flat plates of previously sintered PZT, and sintered to form PZT strips; Pb from the previously sintered PZT plates makes up any Pb lost from the surfaces of the tape strips during sintering. The PZT strips are stacked interposed by layers of a thermoplastic polymer, and heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polymer, forming a laminate block. This block is then sliced perpendicular to the plane of the layers, forming slabs of alternate PZT and polymer layers; the slabs are then sliced perpendicular to the first slicing planes, forming strips of alternating PZT and polymer material. Electrodes are then added to complete the transducer assembly.