Abstract: A PZT dielectric ceramic material is sintered at a desired low temperature to prevent deterioration of the performance of the base material. An auxiliary oxide is used that is made by adding the oxide of at least one of tungsten and molybdenum to lead oxide in the following proportions: PbOx+(WO3y+MoO3z) where x+y+z=1, 0.005<y+z<0.4 and y, z?0. 0.5 mol % to 20 mol % of this auxiliary oxide is added to a mixture of a stock material of dielectric ceramic material or its calcination having a composition of ABO3 type dielectric ceramic material where 0.9 molar ratio or more lead is included in site A assuming the proportion of site B is 1, and the material is mixed, formed and sintered. The content of tungsten and molybdenum combined is less than 0.098 mole in proportion to 1 mole of lead and the density of the dielectric ceramic material after sintering is 7.5 g/cm3 larger.

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 method for bonding an electrically conductive silicon carbide structure to an electrically conductive siliconized silicon carbide structure by temporarily securing the siliconized silicon carbide structure to the silicon carbide structure; placing the silicon carbide structure with secured siliconized silicon carbide structure into an induction heating furnace having an induction coil which heats electrically conductive material in the furnace when sufficient electrical power at a frequency of from about 300 to about 1000 KC is passed through the coil; and causing sufficient electrical power at a frequency of from about 300 to about 1000 KC to be passed through the coil to raise the temperature of the siliconized silicon carbide structure and silicon carbide structure to a temperature above about 1500° C.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell for oxidation of hydrogen, coal gas or methane, and comprising a solid oxide electrolyte which is preferably formed by YSZ, and where a thin layer of anode material is attached to the electrolyte, and where a fluid flow-controlling coupling layer furthermore is placed on both the anode and the cathode side. The fluid flow-controlling coupling layer is according to the invention formed by a number of mutually separated columns 13. Such a embodiment of the coupling layer ensures a material saving. Furthermore, the height of each cell can be reduced and thereby increase the power density.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a hollow inorganic membrane that is particularly suitable for solid oxide fuel cell applications, as well as producing hollow inorganic composite laminated membranes having at least one such hollow inorganic membrane. The method comprises electrodepositing an inorganic material that includes at least some electrically conductive metal and some ionically conductive ceramic onto an electrically conductive combustible core, drying the core bearing the deposited inorganic material, then, sintering the core bearing the deposited inorganic material such that the core combusts, thereby producing a hollow inorganic membrane. The method may further comprises electrophoretically depositing a ceramic composition onto the hollow inorganic membrane, to produce an assembly of hollow inorganic composite laminated membranes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards fuel cell components (e.g., anodes, cathodes, or electrolytes) which are made by the application of a colloidal solution to a substrate, drying of the solution allowing particles to remain on the substrate, and sintering of the particles.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention the fuel cell device includes an electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheet has a substantially non-porous body of a varied thickness, a relatively smooth surface and a more textured surface with multiple indentations therein, wherein the thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of said electrolyte sheet. The side of the electrolyte sheet with a relatively smooth surface is subjected to the predominately tensile force and the other, more textured surface subjected to predominately compressive force. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell also includes one cathode disposed on the more textured side of said electrolyte sheet at least at least one anode disposed opposite the cathode on the relatively smooth side of aid electrolyte sheet.

Abstract: An electrolyte sheet comprises a body of a varied thickness. The electrolyte sheet has at least one non-porous surface. This non-porous surface is a textured surface with multiple indentations therein. The thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a green electrolyte tube comprises forming a composition comprising lanthanum-strontium-gallium-magnesium oxide powder, a binder, a lubricant, a solvent and a pH control agent into a green electrolyte tube, wherein the outer diameter of the green electrolyte tube has a tolerance of less than or equal to about ±0.3 millimeters over a tube length of greater than or equal to about 5 millimeters, and the wall thickness of the green electrolyte tube has a tolerance of less than or equal to about ±0.2 millimeters over a length of greater than or equal to about 5 millimeters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell sub-stack comprising a plurality of tubular fuel cells, and a solid-state matrix in which the fuel cells are embedded. 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 electronic or mixed (electronic and ionic) conductive, porous enough for a first reactant to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode of each fuel cell, and strong enough 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. The sub-stack may be combined with other sub-stacks to form a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and stacks. The method concerns assembling the layers required for the formation of a fuel cell, sintering the fuel cell and thereafter shaping the cell. When making a fuel cell stack, the sintered fuel cells are assembled with the interconnect, spacing and sealing material to form a stack of at least one stack element, followed by shaping the stack. Shaping is carried out in various ways and maximum tolerances of 1% are obtained.

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 conductive co-fired body for an electrochemical cell for an exhaust sensor comprises zirconia, yttrium oxide, and alumina. The body comprises about 15 to about 30 weight % monoclinic phase zirconia. This produces an electrochemical cell having low impedance wherein the zirconia body and alumina body are co-fired. One method for manufacturing the electrochemical cell comprises combining zirconia, yttria, and alumina with solvent and dispersant to form a mixture. After, binder is added to the mixture which is then de-aired and cast onto a tape surface. The tape is dried, metallized, and laminated to an unfired alumina surface. The structure is then co-fired to form a body for said electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a first electrode and a reference electrode with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the first electrode and said reference electrode are in ionic conmmunication, wherein the reference electrode has a surface on a side of the reference electrode opposite the electrolyte and the surface has a surface area. The gas sensor also comprises a reference gas channel in fluid communication with the reference electrode, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the reference electrode physically contacts at least a portion of the reference gas channel, and wherein the portion of the reference electrode in physical contact with the reference gas channel is less than about 90% of the surface area.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of fabricating a sensor element for an exhaust gas sensing device, comprises disposing an electrolyte in ionic communication with a sensing electrode and a reference electrode to form the sensor element. The sensing electrode comprises an activator comprising silica and an oxide of an element. The element is selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing elements.

Abstract: A laminated sintered body is produced having a ceramic porous body 8 having a thickness of 300 &mgr;m or larger and a ceramic dense body 9 having a thickness of 25 &mgr;m or smaller. A green body 5 for the porous body and a green body 3 for the dense body is laminated to obtain a laminate, which is then subjected to pressure molding by cold isostatic pressing to obtain a pressure molded body 6. The pressure molded body 6 is sintered to obtain a laminated sintered body. Alternatively, it is provided a laminated sintered body has a ceramic porous body having a thickness of 300 &mgr;m or larger and a ceramic dense body having a thickness of 25 &mgr;m or smaller. 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 test of operation.

Abstract: A process of making an electrochemical device comprising providing a trilayer structure comprising an electrode/electrolyte/electrode and simultaneously sintering the trilayer structure.

Abstract: A method for making a monolithic piezoelectric ceramic element having high mechanical strength, excellent piezoelectricity, and high reliability is disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a conductive paste including a conductor containing Ag as a principal ingredient to ceramic green sheets comprising a piezoelectric ceramic material containing a Pb compound, stacking the ceramic green sheets to form a laminate, and firing the laminate in an atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of about 90% by volume or more during the heating period and with an oxygen concentration of about 5% to 15% by volume during the isothermal period and during the cooling period.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic device having excellent piezoelectric characteristics and high reliability is described. The method includes the steps of coating conductive paste containing Ag as a main component on each of a plurality of ceramic green sheets each containing a piezoelectric ceramic material, laminating the plurality of ceramic green sheets to form a laminate, and burning the laminate under an atmospheric condition in which the oxygen concentrations in a heating process and a retention process are about 21% by volume or more, and the oxygen concentration in a cooling process is about 0.05% by volume to 3% by volume.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrolytic cell in which an intermediate sintered form is produced that comprises a porous anode layer and an electrolyte layer having a prespecified shape of the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte layer has defects extending through the electrolyte layer. A substance by way of a pressure, a solvent, particle suspended in a solvent or particles introduced by way of thermal spray are introduced into defects within the electrolyte layer. Thereafter, a green cathode layer is applied to the electrolyte layer while the substance is in place, within the defects. The intermediate sintered form with the applied green cathode layer is then fired to produce the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A capacitor structure is fabricated by forming a pattern of first dielectrics over a foil, forming first electrodes over the first dielectrics, and co-firing the first dielectrics and the first electrodes. Co-firing of the dielectrics and the electrodes alleviates cracking caused by differences in thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) between the electrodes and the dielectrics. Co-firing also ensures a strong bond between the dielectrics and the electrodes. In addition, co-firing allows multi-layer capacitor structures to be constructed, and allows the capacitor electrodes to be formed from copper.

Abstract: The volume resistivity of a body consisting essentially of aluminum nitride is reduced by exposing the body to a soak temperature of at least about 1000° C. in an atmosphere deficient in nitrogen, such as an atmosphere consisting essentially of argon. The body can be, for example, a green body of aluminum nitride powder of a densified, or sintered body, such as a polycrystalline body. An electrostatic chuck has an electrode within a chuck body. A first portion of the chuck body, at a first side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity less than about 1×1013 ohm·cm at about 23° C. A second portion of the body, at a second side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity within one order of magnitude that of the first portion.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte matrix for a fuel cell, especially a molten carbonate fuel cell, the method comprising mixing components which comprises a dispersant, at least one lithium compound, aluminum oxide, and zirconium carbide, to provide a matrix material. Fuel cells produced with the disclosed electrolyte matrix do not form cracks due to the differences in thermal expansion coefficients between the matrix and the surrounding metallic components, and thus have improved performance and service life. Also disclosed are the electrolyte, the matrix, and the fuel cell so produced.

Abstract: An electrolytic perovskite and method for synthesizing the electrolytic perovskite are described herein. Basically, the electrolytic perovskite is a solid that has an ion conductivity greater than 10−5 S/cm in a temperature range of 0-400° C., wherein the ion is Li+, H+, Cu+, Ag+, Na+ or Mg2+. For example, Li1/8Na3/8La1/4Zr1/4Nb3/4O3 (5.26×10−4 S/cm) and Li1/8K1/2La1/8NbO3 (2.86×10−3 S/cm) are two electrolytic perovskites that have been synthesized in accordance with the present invention that have a high Li+ conductivity at 20° C. Both compositions have been confirmed in experiments to conduct Ag+ and H+ ions, as well. The present invention also includes a solid proton conductor that can be formed from the electrolytic perovskite by replacing the ions located therein with protons.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a thin ceramic material with controlled surface porosity gradient, characterised in that it consists in (A) infiltrating a porous pore-forming substrate of controlled thickness, with a ceramic material suspension; (B) evaporating the solvent; (C) a step which consists in eliminating the pore-forming agents and the various organic additives, and (D) a sintering step. The invention also concerns the use of the ceramic material in the method for preparing a solid electrolyte and a mixed ionic-electronic conductor, in methods for preparing ultra-pure oxygen, for eliminating oxygen from a gaseous atmosphere, for producing heat energy, for preparing gas or liquid filtering membranes, for ceramic/metal joints, for biomaterials and sensors.

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.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and stacks. The method concerns assembling the layers required for the formation of a fuel cell, sintering the fuel cell and thereafter shaping the cell. When making a fuel cell stack, the sintered fuel cells are assembled with the interconnect, spacing and sealing material to form a stack of at least one stack element, followed by shaping the stack. Shaping is carried out in various ways and maximum tolerances of 1% are obtained.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) repeat unit includes an oxide electrolyte, an anode, a metallic fuel flow field, a metallic interconnect, and a metallic air flow field. The multilayer laminate is made by casting tapes of the different functional layers, laminating the tapes together and sintering the laminate in a reducing atmosphere. Solid oxide fuel cell stacks are made by applying a cathode layer, bonding the unit into a gas manifold plate, and then stacking the cells together. This process leads to superior mechanical properties in the SOFC due to the toughness of the supporting metallic layers. It also reduces contact resistances in stacking the cells since there is only one physical contact plane for each repeat unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a reducing-atmosphere-resistant thermistor element, the resistance of which does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and which has high accuracy and exhibits excellent resistance value stability. The thermistor element has a construction in which an oxygen occlusion-release composition, having oxygen occlusion-release characteristics, such as CeO2 is dispersed in a composition containing a mixed sintered body (M1 M2)O3.AOx as a principal component. The oxygen occlusion-release composition emits absorbed oxygen in a reducing atmosphere and suppresses migration of oxygen from the composition constituting the element. Therefore, the resistance value does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and the element can accurately detect the temperature for a long time. The present invention can thus provide a temperature sensor having high reliability.

Abstract: An impermeable sintered ceramic electrolyte layer of a solid oxide fuel cell is formed by depositing ceramic powder on a substrate using electrophoretic deposition, isostatically pressing that deposited ceramic layer and then heating the compressed ceramic powder layer at temperatures below 1000° C. In preferred embodiments the ceramic thick film fuel cell assembly is formed upon a ferritic stainless steel substrate.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor is formed with an electrolyte body having a first electrolyte surface with a reference electrode depending therefrom and a metal oxide electrode body contained within the electrolyte body and having a first electrode surface coplanar with the first electrolyte surface. The sensor was formed by forming a sintered metal-oxide electrode body and placing the metal-oxide electrode body within an electrolyte powder. The electrolyte powder with the metal-oxide electrode body was pressed to form a pressed electrolyte body containing the metal-oxide electrode body. The electrolyte was removed from an electrolyte surface above the metal-oxide electrode body to expose a metal-oxide electrode surface that is coplanar with the electrolyte surface. The electrolyte body and the metal-oxide electrode body were then sintered to form the hydrocarbon sensor.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition comprising at least a main component containing a dielectric oxide of a composition expressed by {(Sr1−xCax)O}m.(Ti1−yZry)O2 and a fourth subcomponent containing an oxide of R (where R is at least one element selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu), wherein the symbols m, x, and y showing the molar ratio of the composition in the formula contained in the main component are in relations of 0.94<m<1.02, 0≦x≦1.00, and 0≦y≦0.20 and the ratio of the fourth subcomponent with respect to 100 moles of the main component, which is converted to the R in the oxide, is 0.02 mole≦fourth subcomponent<2 moles. According to this dielectric ceramic composition, it is possible to obtain a superior resistance to reduction at the time of firing, obtain a superior capacity-temperature characteristic after firing, and improve the accelerated life of the insulation resistance.

Abstract: Methods for lowering processing and raw material costs are disclosed. Specifically, the use of nanostructured powders is disclosed for faster and lower sintering temperatures whereby electrodes currently employing platinum can be substituted with lower melting point metals and alloys.

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 &mgr;m is used.

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: The present invention discloses dielectric ceramic compositions having dielectric properties suitable for high frequency bands, such as microwave and millimetric wave, and a method for manufacturing multilayered components, such as chip LC filters, chip duplexers, and dielectric filters for PCS, using the dielectric ceramic compositions. The dielectric ceramic composition not only possesses low dielectric loss, a high dielectric constant, and temperature stability, but are also capable of being sintered at low temperatures and simultaneously baked with metal electrodes, including silver, copper, silver/palladium. Therefore, the dielectric composition can be applied to temperature stable capacitors (NPO MLCC), microwave oscillators, substrates, filters, planar antenna and on the like. The dielectric composition are represented by the general formula: Ax′A1−x″By′B1−y″O4 where A′ and A″ are La, Nd, Y and Al; B′ and B″ are Nb and Ta.

Abstract: A common mode choke coil has a plurality of metallic conducting wires buried into a sintered magnetic material such that the metallic conducting wires are proximate to each other and an electrode mounted on a surface of the sintered magnetic material so as to be connected to each end portion of each of the metallic conducting wires. The metallic conducting wires are integrally coated with a non-magnetic and electrically insulating material at a predetermined distance between each of the metallic conducting wires to thereby form coated conducting wires. The coated conducting wires buried into the sintered magnetic material are thus obtained.

Abstract: The structured body intended for use for an anode (1) in fuel cells, comprises a structure formed by macro-pores (100) and an electrode material (5). The macro-pores form communicating spaces which are produced by means of pore forming materials. The electrode material includes skeleton-like or net-like connected structures of particles (60, 70) which are connected by sintering and which form two reticular systems (6, 7) which interengage: a first reticular system (6) made of ceramic material and a second reticular system (7) which contains metals to effect an electrical conductivity. The electrode material has the properties that, with a multiple change between oxidising and reducing conditions, substantially no major property changes occur in the ceramic reticular system, on the one hand, and an oxidisation or reduction of the metals results in the second reticular system, on the other hand.

Abstract: A mixed potential electrochemical sensor for the detection of gases has a ceria-based electrolyte with a surface for exposing to the gases to be detected, and with a reference wire electrode and a sensing wire electrode extending through the surface and fixed within the electrolyte as the electrolyte is compressed and sintered. The electrochemical sensor is formed by placing a wire reference electrode and a wire sensing electrode in a die, where each electrode has a first compressed planar section and a second section depending from the first section with the second section of each electrode extending axially within the die. The die is filled with an oxide-electrolyte powder and the powder is pressed within the die with the wire electrodes. The wire-electrodes and the pressed oxide-electrolyte powder are sintered to form a ceramic electrolyte base with a reference wire electrode and a sensing wire electrode depending therefrom.

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: Disclosed is an anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack, in which a thin and dense electrolyte layer and an air electrode are coated in good order on the surface of a porous anode-supported tube extruded by use of a slurry dipping process useful in mass production of a fuel cell, thereby the stable fuel cell stack with high mechanical strength is formed, and method of fabricating the anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack. After a plurality of unit cells for anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell stacks with excellent electric conductivity and a smooth current flow are inexpensively produced, the unit cells are stacked and combined with a plurality of metal connector plates having semicircular grooves for mounting unit cells thereon to fabricate a desired fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A process for producing a monolithic ceramic electronic component, which includes: providing a ceramic slurry, a conductive paste, and a ceramic paste; forming a plurality of composite structures each comprising a ceramic green sheet produced by shaping the ceramic slurry, internal circuit element films formed by applying the conductive paste partially onto a main surface of the ceramic green sheet so as to provide step-like sections, and a ceramic green layer which compensates for spaces defined by the step-like sections, the ceramic green layer being formed by applying the ceramic paste onto the region on the main surface of the sheet on which the element films are not formed, so as to substantially compensate for the spaces; forming a green laminate by laminating the composite structures; and firing the green laminate, wherein the ceramic paste contains ceramic powder, an organic solvent, and an organic binder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell sub-stack comprising a plurality of tubular fuel cells, and a solid-state matrix in which the fuel cells are embedded. 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 electronic or mixed (electronic and ionic) conductive, porous enough for a first reactant to flow through the matrix and to the outer electrode of each fuel cell, and strong enough 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. The sub-stack may be combined with other sub-stacks to form a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a hollow inorganic membrane that is particularly suitable for solid oxide fuel cell applications, as well as producing hollow inorganic composite laminated membranes having at least one such hollow inorganic membrane. The method comprises electrodepositing an inorganic material that includes at least some electrically conductive metal and some ionically conductive ceramic onto an electrically conductive combustible core, drying the core bearing the deposited inorganic material, then, sintering the core bearing the deposited inorganic material such that the core combusts, thereby producing a hollow inorganic membrane. The method may further comprises electrophoretically depositing a ceramic composition onto the hollow inorganic membrane, to produce an assembly of hollow inorganic composite laminated membranes.

Abstract: Methods to at least partially reduce a niobium oxide are described wherein the process includes heat treating the niobium oxide in the presence of a getter material and in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen atoms from the niobium oxide to the getter material, and for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to form an oxygen reduced niobium oxide. Niobium oxides and/or suboxides are also described as well as capacitors containing anodes made by fabricating a pellet of niobium oxide and heat treating the pellet in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen to a getter material, and for a sufficient time and temperature to form an electrode body, and anodizing the electrode body.

Abstract: An organic solvent-free process for deposition of metal oxide thin films is presented. The process includes aqueous solutions of necessary metal precursors and an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is fired at high temperatures to yield optical quality metal oxide thin films.

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells made by coating a slurry of an electrolyte having a limited amount of organic material onto a carrier tape, depositing a one or two layer electrode material on the tape sufficient to support the electrolyte layer, removing the tape, screen printing a second electrode layer on the exposed surface of the electrolyte layer, and firing the layers at a temperature of 1100-1300° C. The resultant fired fuel cell can be mounted on an interconnector comprising a base plate, grooves formed in one face of the base plate, a porous conductive ceramic contact layer between the base plate and an overlying blocking layer of a porous conductive layer to provide electrical contact between the base plate and the blocking layer, or an interconnector having a fired green tape stack having conductive via contacts and air and gas flow channels formed therein. A sealing glass bonds the overlying layers to the base plate.

Abstract: A method including synthesizing polymeric precursors via organic acid modification; fabricating a fibrous material of the polymeric precursors; and fabricating a body of the fibrous material. One body has dimensions suitable as an electrode component of an electrical storage device.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated ceramic electronic component results in an increased thickness of an internal electrode, reduced delamination, and produces a laminated ceramic electronic component having outstanding reliability. The method of producing a laminated ceramic electronic component includes the step of forming a green sheet supported on a carrier film and having an internal electrode paste layer configured to pass through the green sheet from the upper surface to the lower surface thereof, and a ceramic paste layer, the two layers being provided with a space therebetween, and the step of repeating the step of press-bonding the laminate of the green sheet and the carrier film, and separating the carrier film to obtain a ceramic laminate, pressing the ceramic laminate in the thickness direction, and then firing the laminate to obtain a ceramic sintered body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic body and a gas sensor is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a ceramic material and an organometallic material with a solvent to form a mixture. The organometallic material comprises both a metallic component and an organic ligand. The mixture is disposed onto a surface, dried, and removed to form the ceramic body. The sensor is made by disposing the ceramic body adjacent to an unfired electrolyte body having an electrode disposed on each side thereof to form a green sensor. The green sensor is co-fired to form the sensor.