Abstract: This invention describes the process for fabrication of a high conductivity and low resistance solid oxide fuel cell. An anode substrate is mainly prepared via tape casting technique and modified by abrasion and polish process. Electrolyte is fabricated onto the polished side by thin film technologies and can attach well in the cross section. Grinding surface of anode side about 10-30 ?um after finish of MEA combination can get a high conductivity and low resistance unit cell and enhance cell performance effectively.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for a solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly, including a novel sintering paste and an improved manufacturing process for an anode and cathode electrical contacts is disclosed. On the anode side, the paste contains a metallic oxide such as NiO, and an amount of sacrificial pore-forming particles, such as carbon particles or polymer spheres, which are vaporized during sintering of the paste, resulting in a very porous connection having good electrical conductivity and good adhesion. A preferred level of pore-former in the paste is about 40 volume percent. On the cathode side, the paste contains a noble metal such as for example, gold, platinum, palladium or rhodium, and an amount of the sacrificial pore-forming particles. The paste may be applied to the surfaces in a grid pattern or, because the resulting contact is porous after sintering, it may be applied as a continuous layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrolyte sheets for solid oxide fuel cells, the electrolyte sheets being able to improve their adhesion to electrode films formed on both surfaces thereof and being also able to improve electric power generation characteristics of fuel cells by an increase in their electrode reaction areas. There is disclosed an electrolyte sheet for solid oxide fuel cells including a sintered sheet, wherein surface roughness of the sheet as measured by an optical and laser-based non-contact three-dimensional profile measuring system is 2.0 to 20 ?m in Rz and 0.20 to 3.0 ?m in Ra, and wherein a ratio of Rz of one surface (having a greater Rz and a greater Ra) to Rz of the other surface having a smaller Rz and a smaller Ra is in a range of 1.0 to 3.0, and a ratio of Ra of one surface (having a greater Rz and a greater Ra) to Ra of the other surface having a smaller Rz and a smaller Ra is in a range of 1.0 to 3.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte is made of zirconia grains containing yttria and alumina grains dispersed in the zirconia grains. In the solid electrolyte, the yttria content per zirconia content is within a range of 2 to 10 mol. %, the relative density is not less than 93%, and the average particle size Rz of the zirconia grains is not more than 2 ?m, an average particle size Ra of the alumina grains is not more than 1 ?m. The average particle size Ra of the alumina grains is smaller than the average particle size Rz of the zirconia grains. An average distance value ALa between the alumina grains is not more than 2 ?m, and a standard deviation SLa thereof is not more than 0.8. The solid electrolyte satisfies a relationship of (SLa/ALa)×Rz?0.9.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fired ceramic body including a metal wire wherein the metal wire is placed in a mold, and then, a ceramic slurry having a heat-gelling characteristic or a thermoset characteristic is poured into the mold. Subsequently, the ceramic slurry is dried and hardened to form a ceramic-compact-before-fired, and then, the ceramic-compact-before-fired is fired. In this firing process, a degreasing of the ceramic compact is firstly performed, and thereafter, a temperature of the ceramic compact is increased up to a second temperature at which the metal wire is softened and the ceramic compact is fired at a second temperature increasing rate. The second temperature increasing rate is set at such a rate that a shrinkage ratio of the ceramic compact when the temperature of the ceramic compact reaches the second temperature is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold shrinkage ratio.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that can restrict lowering of battery performance during battery preservation is provided. A negative electrode that a negative electrode mixture including graphite is applied on a rolled copper foil and a positive electrode that a positive electrode mixture including lithium manganate is applied on an aluminum foil are used. An oxide in which one element selected from Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mo, W, Pb and dissimilar to elements constituting the lithium manganate is oxidized is intermixed with the lithium manganate. An intermixture amount of the oxide is set such that a molar number of the dissimilar element contained in one gram of the positive electrode active material to a molar number of lithium contained in one gram of the positive electrode active material is not more than 5/1000. Charge transfer is restricted by the oxide during battery preservation.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte is fabricated by combining an yttria-stabilized zirconia powder with ?-Al2O3 having a d50 particle size in a range of between about 10 nm and about 200 nm and Mn2O3 to form an electrolyte precursor composition, and then sintering the electrolyte precursor composition to thereby form the electrolyte. The ?-Al2O3 and Mn2O3 can be present in the electrolyte precursor composition in an amount in a range of between about 0.25 mol % and about 5 mol %. The electrolyte can be a component of a solid oxide fuel cell of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stack comprising a continuous solid-phase matrix and tubular fuel cells embedded in the matrix. Each fuel cell comprises an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the inner and outer electrode layers. The matrix is sufficiently porous to allow a first reactant to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode of each fuel cell, and have sufficient mechanical strength to support the fuel cells in the stack. The fuel cells are embedded such that a second reactant may be flowed through the inside of each tubular fuel cell and to the inner electrode thereof. Alternatively, a stack of tubular separation membranes or a stack of tubular membrane reactors may be embedded in the matrix. The matrix material may comprise solid state foam, metal filament, or metal, cermet, or ceramic wool.

Abstract: Additions of substitutional transition metal elements are made to improve the densifiability of titanium diboride while eliminating or minimizing the presence of deleterious grain boundary phases in the resultant bulk titanium diboride articles.

Abstract: Provided is a ceramic powder for a green sheet that gives a low-temperature fired ceramic substrate that can be fired at a temperature of 900° C. or lower and has excellent dielectric properties in the higher frequency bands such as microwave and millimeter-wave bands, has a low hygroscopicity, and has minor warping and creasing even in the case of co-firing with a silver-based conductor paste, the ceramic powder for a green sheet including a glass powder and an alumina powder, in which the glass powder contains 35 to 39% by weight of SiO2, 9 to 17% by weight of Al2O3, 21 to 40% by weight of B2O3, 10 to 20% by weight of R?O, wherein R? is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Ba, 0.2 to 2% by weight of Li2O, and 0.5 to 2% by weight of MO2, wherein M is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Ti and Zr, so that the total is 100% by weight.

Abstract: A method and related bonding compositions for use in assembling a solid oxide fuel cell (“SOFC”) stack having thermally and chemically stable and electrically conductive bonds between alternating fuel cells and interconnect components in the stack. The improved method and materials allow for the assembly of solid oxide fuel cells having a stronger and more reliable bond with good electrical contact in situ between the SOFC interconnect layers (plates) and the electrodes. The bonding materials and method according to the invention provide good electrical performance while maintaining the mechanical and electrical integrity of SOFC stacks without requiring excessive mechanical compression of the stack as exemplified by prior art systems.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has a porous electrode support structure on both sides of a thin electrolyte layer. The porous electrode supported cell is formed with gas flow plenum channels on an outer surface of the electrode scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic-NiO composite powders which can be used to form ceramic-NiO composite body anodes. These anodes possess an interpenetrating network structure and can be used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by The present invention also describes methods of preparing these powder, anodes and fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic electrode materials comprising intimate mixtures of two or more components, including at least one nanoscale ionically conducting ceramic electrolyte material (e.g., yttrium-stabilized zirconia, gadolinium-doped ceria, samarium-doped ceria, etc.) and at least one powder of an electrode material, which may be an electrically conducting ceramic electrode material (e.g., lanthanum strontium manganite, praseodymium strontium manganese iron oxide, lanthanum strontium ferrite, lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite, etc.) or a precursor of a metallic electrode material (e.g., nickel oxide, copper oxide, etc.). The invention also includes anode and cathode coatings and substrates for solid oxide fuel cells prepared by this method.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a deionization apparatus is provided and is formed of (1) at least one polymerization monomer selected from the group consisting of phenol, furfural alcohol, dihydroxy benzenes; trihydroxy benzenes; dihydroxy naphthalenes and trihydroxy naphthalenes and mixtures thereof; (2) a crosslinker; and (3) a catalyst; or reaction products thereof, together in a carbonized form that is free of a carbon fiber reinforcing agent.

Abstract: A method of making electrochemical sensors in which an electrolyte material is cast into a tape. Prefabricated electrodes are then partially embedded between two wet layers of the electrolyte tape to form a green sensor, and the green sensor is then heated to sinter the electrolyte tape around the electrodes. The resulting sensors can be used in applications such as, but not limited to, combustion control, environmental monitoring, and explosive detection. A electrochemical sensor formed by the tape-casting method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a solid electrolyte-YSZ product, where the method includes the step of providing a powdered mixture of zirconia, yttria and a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the mixture. The method also includes sintering the powdered mixture at about 1500° C. or less, for about 5 hours or less, to form a two-phase composite that includes cubic YSZ and the metal oxide. Also, a method of making a fuel cell electrode that includes the step of forming a green body that includes zirconia, yttria and a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the green body. The method also includes shaping the green body into a form of the electrode, and sintering the green body at about 1500° C. or less to form a two-phased sintered body that includes cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia and the metal oxide. The method may further include reducing the sintered body to form the electrode.

Abstract: An electrical component having a base body includes a layer stack of mutually overlapping, electrically conductive electrode layers that are separated from one another by electrically conductive ceramic layers. The electrically conductive ceramic layers are composed of a ceramic whose specific electrical resistance exhibits a negative temperature coefficient. The electrically conductive ceramic layers are produced of ceramic green films that are sintered in common with the electrode layers, and outside electrodes that are electrically conductively connected to the electrode layers are arranged at two opposite outside surfaces of the base body. A method for the manufacture of the component and to the employment of the component is also provided.

Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor that comprises an anode body formed from a powder comprising electrically conductive ceramic particles and a non-metallic element in an amount of about 100 parts per million or more is provided in one embodiment of the invention. The non-metallic element has a ground state electron configuration that includes five valence electrons at an energy level of three or more. Examples of such elements include, for instance, phosphorous, arsenic, antimony, and so forth. The capacitor also comprises a dielectric layer overlying the anode body and an electrolyte layer overlying the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods to at least partially reduce a niobium oxide are described wherein the process includes mixing the niobium oxide and niobium powder to form a powder mixture that is then heat treated to form heat treated particles which then undergo reacting in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen atoms from the niobium oxide to the niobium powder, and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form an oxygen reduced niobium oxide. Oxygen reduced niobium oxides having high porosity are also described as well as capacitors containing anodes made from the oxygen reduced niobium oxides.

Abstract: Novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) article and method of manufacture with improved properties at lower costs. The structural features and methods involve fabricating an anode (i.e., fuel electrode); applying a cermet electrolyte, which includes a mixture of ceramic and electrochemically active substances, and applying a cathodic layer. The cermet electrolyte containing a small amount of transition metal reduces the thermal expansion mismatch with the anode, and allows for a graded structure of the electrochemically active substances across the anode/electrolyte structure. Under operating conditions, a dense electrolyte and metal oxide sub-layer exist on the oxidized side (cathode side); while the other side of the electrolyte (reducing side) is made of a porous sub-layer containing transition metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal-supported tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell, and a fuel cell made from such method. The method comprises the steps of coating a wooden substrate member with a conductive substrate layer, coating the substrate layer with an inner electrode layer, coating the inner electrode layer with an electrolyte layer, drying and sintering the coated substrate member such that the substrate member combusts, coating the electrolyte layer with an outer electrode layer, and then drying and sintering the layers.

Abstract: A decomposition cell having a first metal plate with a first layer of dielectric and a second metal plate with a second layer of dielectric wherein each layer of dielectric is sprayed onto the metal plates in molten form using a thermal plasma spray process. The plates are placed in parallel spaced relation forming a discharge area therebetween. One of the metal plates is then attached to a high voltage high frequency source that when actuated causes a discharge within the discharge area.

Abstract: A method of producing a solid electrolyte (3, 13) is disclosed wherein solid electrolyte material is prepared having a composition expressed by a formula: (1-x) ZrO2 {xSc2O3 (where x is a number equal to or greater than 0.05 and equal to or less than 0.15), and a spark plasma method is carried out to sinter solid electrolyte material, resulting in a solid electrolyte. Such spark plasma method is executed by applying first compression load, equal to or less that 40 MPa, to solid electrolyte material, to sinter the solid electrolyte material to obtain sintered material, which is then cooled by applying second compression load, less than first compression load, to the sintered material, resulting in a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated body having a ceramic porous body having a thickness of 300 ?m or larger and a ceramic dense body having a thickness of 25 ?m or smaller. A green body for the porous body and a green body for the dense body are laminated to obtain a laminate, which is then subjected to pressure molding by cold isostatic pressing to obtain a pressure molded body. The pressure molded body is sintered to obtain a laminated sintered body. By reducing the leakage rate of helium gas of the laminated sintered body to 10?6 Pa˜m3/s or lower, the operational efficiency of the cell can be improved, and the deterioration of the cell can be prevented to improve an output after the cell is subjected to initiation and termination cycle tests of operation.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a process for making a solid part designed to form all or part of an anode for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, containing a cermet formed from at least one metallic oxide such as a mixed oxide with spinel structure, and at least one metallic phase, in which a mixed oxide is used containing a metal R in the form of a cation in its chemical structure, the said metal R being fully or partly reducible by a reduction operation during the manufacturing process, so as to form all or part of the said metallic phase. This process can provide a cermet with a uniform distribution of fine metallic particles.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate composition is provided which can be co-fired with a low-melting metal and exhibits excellent dielectric characteristics at high frequencies, particularly tens of gigahertz. The ceramic substrate composition mainly contains a glass represented by aB2O3-bRe2O3-cZnO, wherein the molar ratios (a, b, and c) fall within a region defined in a ternary composition diagram by Point A (0.4, 0.595, 0.005), Point B (0.4, 0.25, 0.35), Point C (0.52, 0.01, 0.47), Point D (0.9, 0.005, 0.095), and Point E (0.9, 0.09, 0.01).

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic substrate of the present invention includes a first process of providing holes in a shrinkage suppressing layer, a second process of filling the holes with a thick film material, a third process of laminating the shrinkage suppressing layer filled with the thick film material on an outermost layer of a ceramic substrate sintered in a preparatory process, followed by pressing, thereby obtaining a laminate, a fourth process of sintering the laminate, and a fifth process of removing the shrinkage suppressing layer. Thus, the kind of convex portions formed on the outermost layer of the ceramic substrate can be increased.

Abstract: A ceramic slurry composition has a powdered ceramic uniformly dispersed therein without excessive damage thereto. A method for producing a ceramic green sheet using the ceramic slurry composition and a method for producing multilayer ceramic electronic devices are also disclosed. The ceramic slurry composition contains the powdered ceramic, a dispersing agent, a binder and a solvent, in which an anionic dispersing agent is used as the dispersing agent, and the content of the anionic dispersing agent is set to be such that the total acid content thereof corresponds to about 10 to 150% of the total base content of the powdered ceramic. In addition, the powdered ceramic having an average particle diameter of about 0.01 to 1 ?m is used.

Abstract: A method produces a component having a ceramic base body and contact surfaces on opposite sides of the ceramic base body. The method includes forming first protective layers on the opposite sides of the ceramic base body in regions not to be covered by the contact surfaces, forming second protective layers on opposite surfaces of the ceramic base body, sintering the ceramic base body with the first and second protective layers at a first temperature, forming the contact surfaces on the ceramic base body, and sintering the contact surfaces at a temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: In a method for pretreating a piezoelectric ceramic (1) and a method for adjusting an injection valve (7), the piezoelectric ceramic (1) is exposed to environmental conditions, leading to a reduction of polarization and also a reduction of the length of the ceramic (1). The obtained length exhibits a greater long-term stability due to said adjusting phase. Consequently, the injection valve (7) can be re-adjusted before use. As a result, renewed adjustment thereof is required only after a long period in service.

Abstract: A gas sensing element and related manufacturing method are disclosed with a solid electrolyte body having one surface formed with a measuring-gas-side electrode and the other surface formed with a reference-gas-side electrode, wherein a measuring-gas-side lead portion is formed on the solid electrolyte body in connection with the measuring-gas-side electrode and a reference-gas-side lead portion is formed on the solid electrolyte body in connection with the reference-gas-side electrode. A dense protective layer is formed on the solid electrolyte body so as to cover the measuring-gas-side lead portion, and a porous protective layer is laminated on the dense protective layer so as to cover the measuring-gas-side electrode, wherein the relationship is established as QB?0.8 QA where QB represents a porosity rate of a base end region of the measuring-gas-side lead portion in an area spaced from the base end of the dense protective layer by a distance of approximately 0.

Abstract: A lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte formed by sintering a molding product containing an inorganic powder and having a porosity of 10 vol % or less, which is obtained by preparing a molding product comprising an inorganic powder as a main ingredient and sintering the molding product after pressing and/or sintering the same while pressing, the lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte providing a solid electrolyte having high battery capacity without using a liquid electrolyte, usable stably for a long time and simple and convenient in manufacture and handling also in industrial manufacture in the application use of secondary lithium ion battery or primary lithium battery, a solid electrolyte having good charge/discharge cyclic characteristic in the application use of the secondary lithium ion battery a solid electrolyte with less water permeation and being safe when used for lithium metal-air battery in the application use of primary lithium battery, a manufacturing method of the solid electrolyte, and a

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical-resistance heating element includes forming sintered ceramics or calcined ceramics, forming an electrode on the sintered ceramics or the calcined ceramics, and forming a ceramic base material having mainly a high melting point metal on the electrode embedded therein, thereby forming a heating element with built-in electrode.

Abstract: A family of spray suspensions for aerosol deposition of green ceramic layers that subsequently can be sintered to produce both dense and porous ceramic layers. The suspensions comprise a nonazeotropic solvent mixture, a ceramic powder, a dispersant, and a an organic binder. The invention also includes methods for depositing coatings of these ceramic suspensions on a substrate, either singly or sequentially, to form electrochemically efficient multilayer structures that can be economically co-sintered. The suspensions and deposition approach allow formation of thin layers of varying microstructure and composition in the sintered state. The suspensions and deposition approach are likely to be useful in the fabrication of electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A method for producing a solid state battery including the steps of: (a) obtaining an active material slurry; (b) obtaining a solid electrolyte slurry; (c) obtaining a current collector slurry; (d) forming an active material green sheet and a solid electrolyte green sheet; (e) laminating the solid electrolyte green sheet on one surface of the active material green sheet to form a first green sheet group, and forming a current collector green sheet layer on the other surface of the active material green sheet to form a second green sheet group; (f) heating the second green sheet group at not less than 200° C. and not greater than 400° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere; and (g) baking the second green sheet group having heated in the step (f) in a low oxygen atmosphere at a baking temperature higher than the heating temperature in the step (f) to obtain a laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of an electrode for use at high temperatures, in which an electrode green compact is formed from a ceramic slip. The slip is formed from at least one solid electrolyte material as well as a metal oxide powder. The green compact is dried and sintered. A porous hard granular material of solid electrolyte material is used in the slip, the mean diameter of the metal oxide powder grains not exceeding or not substantially exceeding the mean diameter of the pores of the hard granular material. An electrode having a temperature-stable conductivity is obtained according to the invention. The area of use of the electrode is typically in high-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ceramic glow pin which is formed of more than two layers arranged especially coaxially to the axis of the glow pin and symmetrically. The layers of the layer structure are manufactured by co-extrusion.

Abstract: An La2O3 powder and an SiO2 powder are mixed with each other, and then heated. By heating, a porous material of LaXSi6O1.5X+12 (8?X?10) as a composite oxide is produced. Subsequently, the porous material is pulverized to obtain a powder, and the powder is added to a solvent to prepare a slurry. The slurry is solidified in a magnetic field to prepare a compact. After that, the compact is sintered, and an oxide ion conductor is obtained thereby.

Abstract: A lanthanum oxide (La2O3) powder, a germanium oxide (GeO2) powder, and a strontium carbonate (SrCO3) powder are mixed in a ratio so that a composition of the obtained composite oxide LalXm(AO4)6?n(ZO4)nOp satisfies 8?l+m<10, 0?m?2, 0?n?2 and 0?p?2. Thenafter, the materials are formed and sintered to prepare an oxide ion conductor. The crystalline structure of LalXm(AO4)6?n(ZO4)nOp belongs to the apatite type structure. The conduction of oxide ion occurs when O2? 14 occupying the 2a site of the apatite type structure moves along the c-axis direction.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramics includes a main ingredient, and a supplemental ingredient in an amount of 0.05 to 2 wt % for the main ingredient. The main ingredient is expressed by xBiO3/2-yCaO-zNbO5/2 and is within a scope of a specified quadrilateral region in a ternary system diagram, and the supplemental ingredient is a glass composition including at least SiO2, Li2O and MO (M includes at least one of Ca, Sr and Ba). A ceramic electronic component is produced by co-firing a dielectric layer composed of the dielectric ceramics and a conductive layer mainly composed of silver, and has a low degradation in Q value and excellent microwave characteristics.

Abstract: A method for producing a solid electrolyte layer, of a fully stabilized zirconium oxide layer on a substrate includes adding a sintering additive to a ZrO2-starting material, a liquid phase is formed during a sintering process and liquid phase sintering is possible at a reduced temperature in comparison with the required sintering temperature without the sintering additive. The reduced sintering temperature substantially prevents the formation of a foreign phase layer between the substrate and the gas-tight layer applied thereon, being of fully stabilized ZrO2. The method is particularly suitable for producing a solid electrolyte layer on a cathode of a high temperature fuel cell and in a sensor.

Abstract: An electrode suitable for use in a fuel cell includes a passive support having pores wherein the passive support has an asymmetric pore morphology with respect to at least one dimension of the passive support; and an electrode material positioned in the pores of the passive support. An exemplary electrode includes an electrode material of a metal and/or metal oxide. An exemplary porous electrode includes a deposited electrolyte layer that blocks at least some pores of the porous electrode. An exemplary method includes reducing an electrode material positioned in pores of a passive support to create secondary porosity and/or to limit agglomeration. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vessel according to the present invention is made of a transparent or translucent material and includes a main portion and end portions which are integrated into the main portion, respectively. At least a central area of the main portion has a thickness smaller than at the respective end portions and at the boundary areas of the respective end portions and the main portion. The inner diameter of the respective end portions is not more than about 2 mm.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed that includes a passive support having a fine pore region disposed between a first coarser pore region and a second coarser pore region. An exemplary fuel cell has an electrolyte material positioned in the fine pore region and a first electrode material positioned in the first coarser pore region and a second electrode material positioned in the second coarser pore region. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell employs an array of tubular flat plates that are sealed only at their extremities using compliant seals. The seals may be formed of talc and surround gas inlet and outlet openings in the tube extremities. Locating the seals remote from the higher temperature central areas of the tubes increases the service life of the seals and their tolerance to thermal cycling. The seals may incorporate an annular conductor for electrically interconnecting adjacent tubes into a common circuit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrostatic chuck is disclosed wherein a sintered ceramic body having a dielectric layer made from Alumina (Al2O2) and Titanium Nitride (TiN) having a specific range of particle size is heat treated in an oxygen-rich environment in order to produce a uniform dielectric layer having no pores or micro-cracks.

Abstract: A BaTiO3-type semiconducting ceramic material which has undergone firing in a reducing atmosphere and re-oxidation, wherein the relative density of the ceramic material after sintering is about 85–90%. A process for producing the semiconducting ceramic material of the present invention and a thermistor containing the semiconducting ceramic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic tube with electrodes thereon suitable for use as a tubular reaction chamber for a fuel cell. In one embodiment, the method includes wrapping a first electrode material around a mandrel, then wrapping a green ceramic material over the first electrode material, and then wrapping a second electrode material over the green ceramic material. The wrapped layers are laminated together, and then removed from the mandrel and sintered, in either sequence, to produce the laminated ceramic tube having an inner first electrode and an outer second electrode. Alternatively, a first electrode tube is provided in place of the mandrel and around which the green ceramic material is wrapped. The outer second electrode may be produced by wrapping a second electrode material around the green ceramic material, before or after laminating, or by printing the electrode material onto the sintered ceramic tube.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a stacked ceramic body that does not require strict control of an oxygen partial pressure in a sintering gas. To produce a stacked ceramic body by alternately stacking dielectric layer and electrode layers, an unsintered stacked body 2 is prepared by alternately stacking unsintered dielectric layers containing a PZT type dielectric material and unsintered electrode layers containing an electrode material, and is sintered in a sintering gas to which a dielectric layer anti-reducing agent 21 and an electrode layer anti-oxidant 22 are introduced. Alternatively, sintering is conducted in a gas containing only the dielectric layer anti-reducing agent 21 or in a gas containing only the electrode layer anti-oxidant 22.