Abstract: There is provided a superconducting device including a substrate, a first superconductor layer supported by the substrate and containing Ln, AE, M and O, and a second superconductor layer containing a material represented by a formula of (Yb1−yLn′y)AE′2M′3Oz, the first and second superconductor layers forming a junction, and atomic planes each including M and O in the first superconductor layer and atomic planes each including M′ and O in the second superconductor layer being discontinuous to each other in a position of the junction, wherein each of Ln and Ln′ represents at least one metal of Y and lanthanoids, each of AE and AE′ represents at least one of alkaline earth metals, each of M and M′ represents a metal which contains 80 atomic % or more of Cu, y represents a value between 0 and 0.9, and z represents a value between 6.0 and 8.0.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithium manganese oxide spinel suited as a cathode active material for lithium ion secondary batteries showing excellent high-temperature cycling behavior. The lithium manganese oxide is represented by the following general formula (1): Li1+&agr;Mn2−&agr;−yMyO4−&dgr; wherein O≦&agr;≦0.5, 0.005≦y≦0.5, −0.1≦&dgr;÷0.1, and M represents a metal element other than Li and Mn, and which shows the ratio of a main peak intensity at 5±40 ppm to a main peak intensity at 525+40 ppm (I0ppm/I500ppm), each intensity being obtained by 7Li-NMR measurement according to the following measuring method, falling within the following range: I0ppm/I500ppm≦0.65y+0.02.

Abstract: An Oxide Precursor Powder from the Pb—Bi—Sr—Ca—Cu—O 2223 System can be produced by heat treating powder, produced using the Spray Pyrolysis Process as described in: GB2210605 or EP0681989 between 700° C. and 850° C. in an atmosphere containing between 0.1% and 21% O2. Heat Treatment of the pyrolysis powder under controlled conditions produces a powder with a particular phase composition, that is highly homogeneous and has a small particle size distribution, that is inherently more reactive than powders heat treated in the same way but produced using other processes.

Abstract: A high-performance spinel-type lithium-manganese oxide for use as a material for a positive electrode of a Li secondary battery with inhibited Mn dissolution in an organic electrolyte, which is represented by the following formula: {Li}[Lix.My.Mn(2−x−Y)]O4+d wherein { } represents the oxygen tetrahedral sites in the spinel structure and [ ] represents the oxygen octahedral sites in the spinel structure, 0<x≦0.33, 0<y≦1.0, −0.5<d<0.8, and M represents at least one heteroelement other than Li and Mn, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating large bulk high temperature superconducting articles which comprises the steps of selecting predetermined sizes of crystalline superconducting materials and mixing these specific sizes of particles into a homogeneous mixture which is then poured into a die. The die is placed in a press and pressurized to predetermined pressure for a predetermined time and is heat treated in the furnace at predetermined temperatures for a predetermined time. The article is left in the furnace to soak at predetermined temperatures for a predetermined period of time and is oxygenated by an oxygen source during the soaking period.

Abstract: This invention provides a complex oxide comprising the features of: (i) being represented by the formula :(A0.4B0.1M0.1)x/0.6Co2Oy wherein A and B are elements differing from each other, each represents Ca, Sr or Ba, M represents Bi, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb or Lu, 1.7≦x≦2, and 3.8≦y≦5, (ii) having a Seebeck coefficient of 100 &mgr;V/K or more at a temperature of 100 K (absolute temperature) or higher and (iii) having an electrical resistivity of 10 m&OHgr;cm or less at a temperature of 100 K (absolute temperature) or higher. The complex oxide of the invention is a material composed of low-toxicity elements existing in large amounts, the material having superior heat resistance and chemical durability and a high thermoelectric conversion efficiency in a temperature-range of 600 K or higher which falls in the temperature range of waste heat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. In this method, a lithium salt is reflux-reacted with a metal salt in a basic solution. The positive active material has a spherical or sperical-like form, diameter of 10 nm to 10 &mgr;m, and a surface area of 0.1 to 5 m2/g.

Abstract: This invention provides a complex oxide comprising the features of: (i) being represented by the formula: (A0.4B0.1M0.1)x/0.6Co2Oy wherein A and B are elements differing from each other, each represents Ca, Sr or Ba, M represents Bi, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb or Lu, 1.7≦x≦2, and 3.8≦y≦5, (ii) having a Seebeck coefficient of 100 &mgr;V/K or more at a temperature of 100 K (absolute temperature) or higher and (iii) having an electrical resistivity of 10 m&OHgr;cm or less at a temperature of 100 K (absolute temperature) or higher. The complex oxide of the invention is a material composed of low-toxicity elements existing in large amounts, the material having superior heat resistance and chemical durability and a high thermoelectric conversion efficiency in a temperature range of 600 K or higher which falls in the temperature range of waste heat.

Abstract: A cathode material for a lithium secondary battery having a high capacity, an excellent cycle property, and an excellent thermal stability. The cathode material for the lithium secondary battery is a layered compound having a general formula: LixNi1-a-b-c-dCOaM1bM2cM3dO2, wherein M1, M2, M3 are selected from Ti, Mg, B and Al and wherein the characters x, a, b, c and d respectively satisfy 1.0≦x≦1.2; 0.3≦a≦0.3; 0.005≦b≦0.1; 0.005≦c≦0.1; 0.005≦d≦0.1; and 0.115≦a+b+c+d≦0.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixed phase materials for the preparation of catalytic membranes which exhibit ionic and electronic conduction and which exhibit improved mechanical strength compared to single phase ionic and electronic conducting materials. The mixed phase materials are useful for forming gas impermeable membranes either as dense ceramic membranes or as dense thin films coated onto porous substrates. The membranes and materials of this invention are useful in catalytic membrane reactors in a variety of applications including synthesis gas production. One or more crystalline second phases are present in the mixed phase material at a level sufficient to enhance the mechanical strength of the mixture to provide membranes for practical application in CMRs.

Abstract: Oxygen sensitive resistance materials for use with oxygen sensors, in particular &lgr; probes are described. These materials are based on the fact that with complex metal oxides it is possible—by adding suitable doping substances—to achieve a negligible temperature dependence of the electric resistance of these materials for different oxygen partial pressures and to preset it to a desired partial pressure value.

Abstract: An oxide superconducting material includes a REBa2Cu3O7−x phase (RE designating one or a combination of two or more rare earth elements including Y), particles composed of Ce, Ba, Cu and O dispersed therein, and RE2BaCuO5 or RE4Ba2Cu2O10 dispersed therein. A method is provided for producing the superconducting material from a mixed powder obtained by adding a Ce—Ba—Cu—O system additive to a starting material powder containing RE, Ba, Cu and O.

Abstract: A lithium composite oxide (LiaNi(1−x−y)CoxMyO2, where M is at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of Al, Ca, Mg and B, a=0.97˜1.05, x=0.1˜0.3, and y=0˜0.05), prepared by a method including the steps of: (a) coprecipitating a Ni—Co composite hydroxide by adding an aqueous ammonia solution as a complexing agent, and an alkaline solution as a pH-adjusting agent, to an aqueous mixed solution containing a cobalt salt and a nickel salt; (b) adding lithium hydroxide to the composite hydroxide and thermally treating the mixture at 280˜420° C.; and (c) thermally treating the resultant of the step (b) at 650˜750° C. The average particle diameter of the lithium composite oxide decreases, or the tap density thereof increases, depending on the coprecipitation time. When the lithium composite oxide is used as a positive electrode active material, a lithium ion secondary cell having a high capacity can be obtained.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer composition comprises a moldable organic polymer having hollow carbon microfibers and an electrically conductive white powder uniformly dispersed therein, the carbon fibers being present in an amount of 0.01 wt. % to less than 2 wt. % and the electrically conductive white powder being present in an amount of 2.5-40 wt. %, each percent range based on the total weight of the composition, the amounts of carbon microfibers and white powder being sufficient to simultaneously impart the desired electrical conductivity to the composition and white pigmentation to the composition.

Abstract: A high-performance spinel-type lithium-manganese oxide for use as a material for a positive electrode of a Li secondary battery with inhibited Mn dissolution in an organic electrolyte, which is represented by the following formula: {Li}[Lix.My.Mn(2−x−y)]O4+d wherein { } represents the oxygen tetrahedral sites in the spinel structure and [ ] represents the oxygen octahedral sites in the spinel structure, 0<x≦0.33, 0<y≦1.0, −0.5<d<0.8, and M represents at least one heteroelement other than Li and Mn, is disclosed.