Abstract: A subject-matter of the invention is a novel process for the preparation of sulphur-modified monolithic porous carbon-based materials by impregnation with a strong sulphur-based acid, the materials capable of being obtained according to this process and the use of these materials with improved supercapacitance properties to produce electrodes intended for energy storage systems. Electrodes composed of sulphur-modified monolithic porous carbon-based materials according to the invention and lithium batteries and supercapacitors having such electrodes also form part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides new ferroelectric ceramic materials which can be sintered at a temperature lower than that of the conventional ferroelectric ceramic materials and upon sintering, devices formed of the new ferroelectric ceramic materials possesses excellent piezoelectric properties which are suitable for many industrial applications. The ferroelectric ceramic material includes a composition with a general formula of wPb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-yPb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-zPbZrO3-(1?w?x?y?z)PbTiO3, in which 0<w<1, 0<x<1, 0?y<1, 0<z<1, w+x+y+z<1, and 0.5?w+x+y. A method of preparing a ferroelectric ceramic material includes preparing MgNb2O6, ZnNb2O6 and NiNb2O6 powder precursors, mixing the precursors with PbO, TiO2 and ZrO2 to form a mixture and calcining the mixture.

Abstract: A liquid composition is formed into a coating layer state in which negative ions are steadily released. The liquid composition includes a finely powdered mineral that generates negative ions mixed with a binder liquid that is conductive and/or a binder liquid in which a conductive substance is dispersed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic material having an open-cellular foamed nature incorporated into an electric current generating cell activated by a material circulated through the open cells of the foam.

Abstract: A resistor composition for resistor-incorporated spark plugs, substantially consisting of 100 parts of a base mixture consisting of 30 to 70% of glass frit and the balance of inorganic aggregate; 0.1 to 7.0 parts, calculated on carbon upon sintering, of a carbonaceous material; and 0 to 30 parts of an agent for stabilizing resistance of the resistor under load, the glass frit containing 10 to 100% of lead glass having a PbO content of 30 to 88% and a softening point of 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. with the balance of a glass having a softening point exceeding 500.degree. C., each by weight ratio.

Abstract: A resistor composition for use in producing a resistor used in a spark plug comprising(1) 100 parts by weight of(a) a glass; and(b) an inorganic filler;with the glass (a) being present in a proportion of about 30 to about 70% by weight and the inorganic filler (b) being present in a proportion of about 70% to about 30% by weight;and wherein at least about 0.1% by weight of the inorganic filler (b) is replaced by at least one non-oxide compound;(2) about 0.5 to about 7 parts by weight of carbon; and(3) 0 to about 20 parts by weight of at least one of a metal oxide, a transition metal carbide, SiC having a low electrical resistivity and B.sub.4 C.