Abstract: A dielectric composed of a core material between two polymer layers that have permittivity values less than the core material. The polymer layers provide structural integrity for the dielectric. The dielectric can be employed in a capacitor to fine tune the capacitance of the capacitor. The dielectric and the capacitor may have a thickness in the micron range. Accordingly, the dielectric and capacitor provide for the miniaturization of electronic devices. The dielectric may be employed in decoupling capacitors to reduce noise in electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of treating a carbonaceous cell component of an electrolyte cell for the production of aluminum, to impart protection against deterioration during operation of the cell. A liquid suspension of a refractory material dispersed in a lignosulfonate binder solution is prepared and applied as a protective coating to the surface of carbonaceous cell components and allowed to dry.

Abstract: The invention provides for oxidatively resistant carbon/carbon composites and other graphite-like material, a method for the preparation of these materials, and their use in high temperature applications, preferably in brakes for airplanes. The carbon/carbon composite or graphite-like material, which is resistant to oxidation at high temperatures comprises a fiber-reinforced carbon/carbon composite or graphite in contact with a phosphoric acid based penetrant salt solution which contains the ions formed from the combination of the following: 10-80 wt % H2O, 20-70 wt % H3PO4, 0-25 wt % MnHPO4.1.6H2O, 0-30 wt % Al(H2PO4)3, 0-2 wt % B2O3, 0-10 wt % Zn3(PO4)2 and 0.1-25 wt % alkali metal mono-, di-, or tri-basic phosphate.

Abstract: A method of applying a treating liquid to a porous body (11), in particular a pre-baked carbon component of an aluminium production cell, such as an anode block, a cathode block or a sidewall. In this method first the body (11) to be treated is inserted, with its part to be treated facing up, in the treating chamber (12). At least one sealing member (13) is then applied to the body so as to isolate a space (14) in an upper part of the treating chamber (12) around the part of the body to be treated from a lower part (15) of the treating chamber around a bottom part of the body which is not to be treated. Next, treating liquid (10) is supplied to the upper part (14) of the treating chamber to cover the part of the body to be treated with the treating liquid and applying a vacuum to intake an amount of the treating liquid into pores in the part of the body to be treated. Then the body (11) is freed from the sealing member(s) (13), and removed from the treating chamber (12).

Abstract: A body of carbonaceous or other material for use in corrosive environments such as oxidising media or gaseous or liquid corrosive agents at elevated temperatures, in particular in molten salts such as cryolite, is coated with a protective surface coating which improves the resistance of the body to oxidation or corrosion and which may also enhance the bodies electrical conductivity and/or its electrochemical activity. The protective coating is applied in one or more layers from a colloidal slurry containing reactant or non-reactant substances, or a mixture of reactant and non-reactant substances, in particular mixtures containing silicon carbide and molybdenum silicide or silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which when the body is heated to a sufficient elevated temperature reaction sinter as a result of micropyretic reaction and/or sinter without reaction to form the protective coating.

Abstract: A solid state ionic device includes a dense electrolyte sandwiched between two porous electrodes. In one embodiment, the device is anode supported and the cathode is formed of a porous three-dimensional solid phase structure having an electrocatalytic phase of a plurality of electrocatalytic particles and an ionic conducting phase of a plurality of ionic conductor particles. The mean or median size of the electrocatalytic particles is larger than the mean or median size of the ionic conductor particles. The device may further include a long range electronic conducting layer of lanthanum cobaltate or other electronically conducting material.

Abstract: A negative active material for a lithium secondary battery includes a crystalline graphite core and a carbon shell. The carbon shell includes at least one material selected from a transition metal, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an element of Group 3B of the Periodic table, an element of Group 4B, an element of Group 5B or a mixture thereof. The carbon shell is a turbostratic carbon layer, or am amorphous or crystalline carbon layer having different physical properties from the core. The negative active material can be used in a lithium secondary battery such that the battery has a large discharge capacity and a high charge/discharge efficiency.

Abstract: A screen-printing paste as a starting material for fabricating a gas diffusion electrode through screen-printing includes at least one polymer, at least one metallic catalyst, and a high-boiling solvent. The polymer is a binder including poly(butyl acrylate)-polymethacrylate copolymer, a poly(vinyl alcohol), and a poly(ethylene oxide). The polymer can be two polymers, a first being used for hydrophobicization and present in an amount of between 0 to 10% by weight based on a content of the metallic-catalyst, and a second being a binder. A screen-printing method of fabricating the electrode for a fuel cell includes forming a screen-printing layer having a thickness between 3 and 40 &mgr;m by applying the screen-printing paste to a base. The solvent and the polymer serve as a screen-printing medium. The screen-printing layer is baked to allow only residues of the solvent and the polymer to remain, which do not interfere with using the electrode in a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for modifying oxidizable surfaces, including diamond surfaces, including methods for metallizing these surfaces, where these methods include oxidation of these surfaces. The present invention also relates to the products of these methods. In this process, a surface is first plasma oxidized, usually under an RF O2 plasma. Chemical functional groups are then attached to the surface. If the surface is to be metallized, the chemical functional groups are selected to be catalyzable, the surface is then catalyzed for electroless metallization, and the surface is finally treated with an electroless plating solution to metallize the surface. If modified surface is to be patterned, the modified surface is exposed through a mask to pattern the surface after the attachment of the chemical functional groups.

Abstract: A method of treating a carbonaceous cell component of an electrolyte cell for the production of aluminum, to impart protection against deterioration during operation of the cell. A liquid suspension of a refractory material dispersed in a lignosulfonate binder solution is prepared and applied as a protective coating to the surface of carbonaceous cell components and allowed to dry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the adhesion of metal particles to a carbon substrate, characterized in that, before the said metal particles are deposited on the carbon substrate, the said substrate is treated in an alkaline medium at a temperature of between 50° C. and 100° C. in a stream of a gas containing oxygen.

Abstract: An open-pored body (11), in particular a carbon component of an aluminum production cell, which is to be exposed to oxidizing conditions or chemical attack at high temperatures is treated to protect the body against oxidation or corrosion at high temperature by impregnating the surface of the body at about ambient temperature with a hot non-saturated liquid (10). This liquid contains a treating agent at a temperature above the temperature of the body. The concentration of treating agent in the hot liquid is such that when the liquid is cooled, before it reaches the temperature of the body, the liquid saturates and treating agent precipitates. A pressure differential is applied to cause the liquid to impregnate into the surface pores of the body (11) and precipitate a layer of the treating agent from the liquid inside the body by cooling as it impregnates the pores of the body.

Abstract: An ordered film is formed on a surface by reacting (a) dendrimer or bridging ligand functionalized for reaction with transition metal ions (e.g., terpyridyl-pendant poly-amido amine starburst dendrimers or 1,4-bis[4,4″-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2,2′:6′2″ terpyridine-4′-yl]benzene), dissolved in water immiscible solvent, with (b) transition metal ions dissolved in water, on said surface. This method allows formation of films useful, for example, as electron transfer mediators, other electronic devices, catalysts, sensors, and electrochromic devices.

Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a prebaked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte, is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by immersing the body in a treating liquid containing a soluble boron compound and at least one additive from the group consisting of aluminum compounds, calcium compounds, sodium compounds, magnesium compounds, silicon compounds, elemental carbon, and elemental aluminum, said additive being in the form of a powder, in suspension such as a colloid, or in solution, e.g., at 80° to 120° C. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Söderberg anode and to cell sidewalls. The additives increase strength and improve oxidation resistance compared to impregnation with boric acid alone.

Abstract: Amorphous, highly dispersed ruthenium oxide having a high energy storage capacity may be prepared using high surface area carbon as carbon powder or as carbon fibers as a template for the ruthenium oxide. The process avoids the disadvantages of a sol-gel process, and utilizes deposition of a ruthenium source within the pores of carbon fibers dispersed in a cellulose matrix. The ruthenium source subsequently is converted to amorphous ruthenium oxide hydrate by heating in a steam atmosphere containing at least 30 weight percent water at temperatures up to about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a pre-baked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by treating the body with a treating liquid comprising a precipitable boron-containing compound and an additive, said additive being present in an amount so that substantially no separate phase from said the precipitate of said boron-containing compound is formed upon curing. Suitable boron oxide additives include colloidal alumina, silica, yttria, ceria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia, lithia, monoaluminium phosphate, cerium acetate and mixtures thereof. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Soderberg anode and to cell sidewalls.

Abstract: A carbon-graphite/silicon carbide composite article is provided. The composite article includes a carbon-graphite body intimately bonded to a dense silicon carbide body by a transition/bonding region which links the two bodies. The transition/bonding region between the carbon-graphite body and the silicon carbide body typically includes a layer rich in silicon metal and a small silicon carbide/silicon metal/carbon graphite area where some of the carbon-graphite from the carbon-graphite body has been converted to silicon carbide. The carbon-graphite body may also include a variety of impregnants.

Abstract: A water soluble dicarboxylic acid or an alkali metal salt thereof acts as a mold release agent for salt pellets when a salt-contacting surface of a roll-type briquetting press is coated with from about 0.02 to about 5 mg/cm.sup.2 of a powder of the acid or alkali metal salt just prior to a charge of salt. The coating is achieved by spraying an air stream entraining the powder onto the press rolls or by spraying a solution of the release agent onto the rolls and evaporating the solvent to leave the powder on the rolls. The acid has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms; adipic acid being preferred. Salt pellets having a layer of the powder on their surface may be used in water softening systems wherein the pellets sit in a brine reservoir and supply salt for the recharging of an ion exchange resin. There is no formation of an unsightly scum on the surface of the brine and on the sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: A carbon fiber electrode is coated with a noble metal oxide to create a noble metal oxide electrode with a very large surface area. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the noble metal oxide is iridium oxide. A method of making the electrode includes preparing a solution of iridium chloride and isopropyl alcohol, dipping a carbon fiber electrode into the solution, drying the electrode in the presence of nitrogen and heat, and heat treating the electrode in the presence of oxygen. An apparatus for removing nitrates from water includes an electrochemical flow cell through which the aqueous solution containing nitrates flows or a holding tank cell into which the solution is introduced and then released after processing, and an electrode system including an anodic iridium oxide coated carbon fiber electrode as described above, a carbon fiber cathodic electrode and a reference electrode.

Abstract: A coating for sealing carbon-carbon composites against hydrogen. The coating comprises a first layer of silicon carbide and a second layer of a glass, glass-ceramic or a low-melting-point metal such as tin or an alloy thereof. Particularly when such second layer is a glass, e.g. an SiO.sub.2 -containing glass, or a glass-ceramic, preferably the silicon carbide coating is pretreated, e.g. by oxidation thereof to form a thin layer of SiO.sub.2 prior to application of the glass layer. The glass layer can be an SiO.sub.2 glass formed by sputtering or by decomposition of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) applied to the oxidized silicon carbide coating. An alkali metal oxide, e.g. Na.sub.2 O, or an alkaline earth metal oxide, e.g. BaO, can be added to the SiO.sub.2 glass.

Abstract: A binary, boron-based alloy as a source for field-emission-type, ion-beam generating devices, wherein boron predominates in the alloy, preferably with a presence of about 60 atomic percent. The other constituent in the alloy is selected from the group of elements consisting of nickel, palladium and platinum. Predominance of boron in these alloys, during operation, promotes combining of boron with trace impurities of carbon in the alloys to form B.sub.4 C and thus to promote wetting of an associated carbon support substrate.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for protecting surfaces of diamond, diamondlike carbon and of other forms of carbon, from the effects of oxidation which can occur at high temperatures in an oxidizing environment. The method involves exposing the surface of the diamond or other carbon material to energetic ions of, or containing, an element or elements which can be caused to react with the carbon to form a thin layer containing a carbide compound that is itself more oxidation resistant than the diamond or other carbon material and which is able to serve as a barrier to prevent or delay penetration of oxygen to the thereby protected diamond or other carbon material.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating an amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in a rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of heating (62) a lignin material until it has fully cured, comminuting (68) the lignin material before it has carbonized, and subsequently heating (70) the lignin material until it has carbonized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are process of preparing carbon supports coated with polyolefin or fluorinated polyolefin to be employed as a network substrate of such an electrochemical cell, in these processes, a solvent which solvates the polyolefin is employed for forming polyolefin in the shape of nearly single fibers which are the smallest unit conceivable. The carbon supports coated with the said solvated polyolefin which possesses the maximum uniformity concalvable have the maximum performance when they are employed in a gas diffusion electrode.

Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a prebaked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte, is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by immersing the body in a treating liquid containing a soluble boron compound and at least one aluminum compound and/or at least one calcium compound as a powder, suspension or colloid or in solution, e.g. at 80.degree. to 120.degree. C. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Soderberg anode and to cell sidewalls. The addition of the aluminum and/or calcium compound(s) increases strength and improves oxidation resistance compared to impregnation with boric acid alone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a catalyst to be applied to an electrode substrate, the method incorporates cooling the catalyst material to a temperature below a critical temperature and grinding the cooled catalyst to produce a catalyst material which will create a uniform catalytic layer on an electrode substrate. The finished electrode having significantly fewer particles than the electrode prepared by the prior art method.

Abstract: A cathode structure is formed by a process in which a carbon-containing electron-emissive cathode is subjected to electronegative atoms that include oxygen and/or fluorine. The cathode is also subjected to atoms of electropositive metal, typically after being subjected to the atoms of oxygen and/or fluorine. The combination of the electropositive metal atoms and the electronegative atoms enhances the electron emissivity by reducing the work function.

Abstract: A hybrid material comprising an extremely porous, carbon-bearing substrate, such as a carbon-bearing aerogel, and fullerene molecules loaded in the pores of the substrate. The hybrid compound is obtained by several approaches, including chemical vapor infiltration of fullerenes into finished carbon-containing aerogels; infiltration of fullerenes during the solvent displacement step of aerogel preparation; and addition of fullerenes to solgel starting materials.

Abstract: Carbon or carbon-based cathodes and cell bottoms of electrolytic cells for the production of aluminium in particular by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten halide electrolyte such as cryolite, are treated to better resist intercalation of sodium in the cell operating conditions by impregnation and/or coating with colloidal alumina, ceria, cerium acetate, lithia, yttria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia or monoaluminium phosphate followed by drying and heat treatment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a sheet-like electric cell plate and an electrochemical cell produced by using the plate. The sheet-like electric cell plate is produced by a method which comprises discharging an electrode material coating solution from an extrusion-type slot die and coating the solution onto an electrically-conductive support running around a backup roll. The electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, both of which plates are produced by the above method, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components (1, 2, 5) of cells for the production of aluminium (8) by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte (7) are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte (7) in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating (9, 10, 11) applied from a slurry composed of preformed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A method of doping diamond with relatively large atoms such as aluminium, phosphorus, arsenic and antimony is provided. The method involves implanting the dopant atoms at a low temperature to create a damaged region of point defects in the form of vacancies and interstitial dopant atoms within the crystal lattice of the diamond, and annealing the diamond to reduce the lattice damage and cause dopant interstitial atoms to diffuse into lattice positions. The implantation dose will be low and such as to create density of implanted dopant atoms of no greater than 2.5.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing carbonaceous parts including the steps of shaping a mixture of carbonaceous powder and bonding agent to form raw parts, cooling the raw parts to ambient temperature at a known rate and firing the cooled parts in a furnace from ambient temperature to a final firing temperature to release volatile particles to produce fired parts devoid of volatile products. This process is improved by placing the raw parts in an electric furnace in the absence of heating filler, heating the raw parts in the furnace to an intermediate temperature of about 200.degree. C. at a fixed initial heating rate such that the loss of volatile products is less than 10% by weight of the total amount of volatile products contained in the raw parts and being a function of the cooling rate such that the internal strain from the shaping and cooling step is freed.

Abstract: Layered carbon-carbon composites having improved interlaminar tensile strength are disclosed together with a process for making such composites. A metal catalyst is first deposited on a panel comprising a plurality of layers of carbon fiber cloth. The panel is then exposed to a gaseous hydrocarbon in an inert atmosphere at elevated temperature in order to promote the growth of graphite whiskers between the carbon cloth layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon composite electrode material which comprises coating the surface of core carbon particles with high crystallinity with a film containing a element of Group VIII metal and depositing and/or covering the surface of resulting coated carbon particles with a carbon material to be formed upon pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon or its derivative.

Abstract: Components of electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum in particular by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte, made of carbon or other microporous material which remains stable or may be consumed in the cell operating conditions, are conditioned to better resist in the cell operating conditions by impregnating them with colloidal ceria, cerium acetate, silica, alumina, lithia, yttria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia or monoaluminum phosphate containing ionic species of sodium, lithium, potassium, aluminum, calcium or ammonium, followed by drying and heat treatment.

Abstract: Oxidation resistant coatings on carbon fibers are provided. Oxidation inhibitor particles are incorporated into a polymeric sizing coating on carbon fibers to protect the fibers from deterioration and erosion due to oxidation of carbon.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas electrode is disclosed, comprising sintering a mixture of carbon powder and a fluorine resin powder to form a sheet as a gas electrode base, coating one side of the sheet base with an organic solution prepared by dissolving a platinum group metal salt in an organic solvent capable of forming an organic complex with the metal salt, drying the coating layer, and calcining the coating layer at a temperature of from 250.degree. to 380.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere to reduce the platinum group metal oxide thereby forming a catalyst layer on the sheet base. Reduction (calcination) of the platinum group metal salt can be effected without using dangerous hydrogen gas and without being accompanied by decomposition of the fluorine resin and provides a uniform catalyst layer comprising fine platinum particles having a large surface area with a minimized thickness.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a treatment composition which consists essentially of a solution of one or more phosphates of aluminum. The treatment composition may alternatively consist essentially of one or more phosphates of aluminum, and one on more colloidal carriers.

Abstract: A body of carbonaceous or other material for use in corrosive environments such as oxidising media or gaseous or liquid corrosive agents at elevated temperatures, in particular in molten salts such as cryolite, is coated with a protective surface coating which improves the resistance of the body to oxidation or corrosion and which may also enhance the bodies electrical conductivity and/or its electrochemical activity. The protective coating is applied in one or more layers from a colloidal slurry containing reactant or non-reactant substances, or a mixture of reactant and non-reactant substances, in particular mixtures containing silicon carbide and molybdenum silicide or silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which when the body is heated to a sufficient elevated temperature reaction sinter as a result of micropyretic reaction and/or sinter without reaction to form the protective coating.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polymeric compositions suitable for fabricating devices for safely transporting volatile chemicals and fuels are disclosed. The electrically conductive polymeric compositions include at least one matrix polymer and an electrically conductive filler material incorporated in the matrix polymer in an amount sufficient to provide the conductive polymeric composition with an electrical conductivity of at least 10.sup.-10 S/cm. The electrically conductive filler material is intrinsically conductive polymer coated carbon black particles. The coating of intrinsically electrically conductive polymer provides a protective shield against loss of particle conductivity, contributes to the overall conductivity of the filler material and enhances the mechanical properties of the filled matrix polymer.

Abstract: Process for the production of a carbon/carbon composite material using mesophase powder.The process according to the invention comprises the stages of dispersing infusible mesophase microspheres in a solution containing a binder and a solvent able to wet the carbon fibres and thus form an impregnation bath (20), the binder and the solvent not being carbon precursors, impregnating each fibre (1) by the bath, placing (24) the impregnated fibres in a mould and unidirectionally pressing or compressing (26) the impregnated fibres in the mould whilst heating them to a first temperature T.sub.1 above ambient temperature suitable for evaporating the solvent and the binder and making the mesophase microspheres flow to a second temperature T.sub.2 above the first temperate and suitable for pyrolyzing the mesophase microspheres in coke form.

Abstract: A prebaked carbon-based anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium, in particular by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte, is treated over its sides and top to improve the resistance thereof to erosion during operation of the cell by oxidising gases released at the anode, by immersing the anode in a boron-containing solution containing 5-60 weight % of H.sub.3 BO.sub.3 or B.sub.2 O.sub.3 in methanol, ethylene glycol, glycerin or water with a surface-active agent, e.g. at 80.degree. to 120.degree. C. After 2-60 minutes immersion, the boron-containing solution is impregnated to a depth of 1-10 cm, usually about 2-4 cm over the top and side surfaces of the anode to be protected, producing a concentration of boron in the impregnated surface from 200 ppm to 0.35%. The same treatment can be applied to cell sidewalls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diamond vibration plate for a speaker having high sound velocity or E/.rho. and which is superior in high-pitched tone performance. Conventional, diamond vibration plates which are made overall from crystalline diamond were apt to split or break at a flange due to the high rigidity. According to the present invention periphery of the flange is circularly cut by laser beams to eliminate rugged circumference. The laser treatment also converts the crystalline diamond of the flange into non-diamond carbon. The resulting vibration plate with a central spherical part of crystalline diamond and a periphery of a flange of non-diamond carbon excels both in high frequency property and mechanical strength.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an inorganic fiber having a diameter between about 1 and 10 microns is formed by chemical vapor deposition of inorganic material, such as boron, onto a carbon filament having a diameter less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Carbon-Carbon composite products comprising laminate plies formed from the carbon fabric having pitch-based carbon strands of relatively high modulus of elasticity in the warp direction. The fill direction carbon strands have a relatively low modulus of elasticity when compared to the warp direction strands and have a substantially lower end count than the higher modulus warp direction strands. A carbonaceous matrix is integrated with the fabric plies in order to bond the plies together. The matrix material may be glassy carbon or more preferably a crystalline graphitized carbon. In forming such carbon-carbon composite products, a layup is established of a plurality of the carbon fabric plies impregnated with a carbon containing matrix material, typically a thermoset resin. The layup is cured or partially cured and then pyrolized to a temperature sufficient to carbonize the matrix material.

Abstract: A method for producing a diamond/carbon/carbon composite is provided which includes the steps of densifying a preform of interwoven vapor grown carbon fibers form a carbon/carbon composite, and then depositing a polycrystalline diamond film on the carbon/carbon composite. The preform may be densified by depositing pyrolyric carbon into the interstices of the preform, either by a chemical vapor infiltration process or by a pitch infiltration process. The polycrystalline diamond film is deposited on the carbon/carbon composite by a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting diamond/carbon/carbon composite can be utilized as an integral dielectric heat sink by depositing metallic circuits on the diamond layer of the diamond/carbon/carbon composite.

Abstract: A body of carbonaceous or other material for use in corrosive environments such as oxidizing media or gaseous or liquid corrosive agents at elevated temperatures, in particular in molten salts such as cryolite, is coated with a protective surface coating which improves the resistance of the body to oxidation or corrosion and which may also enhance the bodies electrical conductivity and/or its electrochemical activity. The protective coating is applied in one or more layers from a colloidal slurry containing reactant or non-reactant substances, or a mixture of reactant and non-reactant substances, in particular mixtures containing silicon carbide and molybdenum silicide or silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which when the body is heated to a sufficient elevated temperature reaction sinter as a result of micropyretic reaction and/or sinter without reaction to form the protective coating.

Abstract: A process for producing a lightweight electrode grid by exposing a compred, heated mat of dense graphite fibers to Ni(CO).sub.4 gas wherein the Ni(CO).sub.4 decomposes upon contact with the graphite fibers depositing a nickel metal coating on the graphite fibers which strongly bonds the fibers together to form a compressed mat or grid of nickel metal coated fibers.