Abstract: Provided is a softening agent for textiles characterized by containing a compound (A) and a crosslinking agent (B). The compound (A) is a non-silicone compound having a polyoxyalkylene chain in the molecule, and has a functional group (R1) capable of producing an ether, an ester, or a nitrogen-containing compound upon reacting with the crosslinking agent (B).

Abstract: Provided is a softening agent for textiles characterized by containing a compound (A) and a crosslinking agent (B). The compound (A) is a non-silicone compound having a polyoxyalkylene chain in the molecule, and has a functional group (R1) capable of producing an ether, an ester, or a nitrogen-containing compound upon reacting with the crosslinking agent (B).

Abstract: High T.sub.c superconducting magnetic shields are provided, together with a method of fabricating such shields, wherein the shields exhibit very high critical applied magnetic field values of at least about 50 Gauss at 77 K. In fabrication procedures, a particulate superconducting ceramic oxide (24) (e.g., thallium 2223) is placed within an uniaxial die assembly (10) and subjected to compression while the die is heated via an external heating jacket (26). After formation of a self-sustaining body (24a), the die (10) is additionally heated via the jacket (26). External heating of the die (10) with the superconducting material therein reduces internal stresses within the shield body.

Abstract: Composite bulk superconducting materials having desirable physical, measured transport current density and high T.sub.c superconducting characteristics are provided which comprise a first matrix of superconducting ceramic oxide crystalline grains with a second matrix of elemental metal (gold, silver, palladium and tin) situated within the interstices between the crystalline grains. Preferably, each matrix is a continuous phase within the composite material, with the ceramic oxide preferably being present at a level of at least about 80% by weight, whereas the elemental metal is present at a level of up to about 20% by weight. In fabrication procedures, a precursor superconducting ceramic oxide is first prepared and reduced to a fine powder size; this is mixed with powdered elemental metal, and the mixture is compressed using high compaction pressures on the order of 14 tons/cm.sup.2 or greater to form a body, which is then sintered to yield the composite.

Abstract: Complex superconducting oxides are fabricated through appropriate selection and use of fundamental superconducting "building blocks." In this fashion, the invention provides a rationalized method of fabricating complex oxides having desirably high T.sub.c values. In another aspect of the invention, novel, 112 and 12 superconducting oxides are described.