Abstract: A method of making iron nitride powder is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an iron-based starting material; b) reducing the starting material by heating the starting material in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a reducing agent; c) nitriding the material obtained from step (b) by contacting the material with a nitrogen source. Also provided is the iron nitride powder made by the above method.

Abstract: A non-volatile programmable electro-optical element alters absorption characteristics of an optical medium that comprises a doped transition metal oxide material including F-centers. The F-centers are electrostatically moved into or out of the regions containing a wavefunction of an optical beam. A specific F-center profile in the transition metal oxide material may be programmed into the optical medium. The F-center profile alters an absorption profile within the optical medium. The spectral range for transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the optical medium may be tailored by the F-centers. Once the absorption profile is set by an electrical signal, the optical element maintains its state even when the electrical signal is turned off. Thus, the programming node may be disconnected from a power supply network, thereby enabling a low power operation of the electro-optical element. The inventive electro-optical element may be employed for both the visible and the infrared wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: A thin film structure including a plurality of grains of a first magnetic material having a first Curie temperature embedded in a matrix of a second material having a second Curie temperature, wherein the second Curie temperature is lower than the first Curie temperature and the second material comprises one or more of an oxide, a sulfide, a nitride, and a boride.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a data storage medium including a magnetic recording element and an optically active material positioned adjacent to the magnetic recording element, an electric field source for applying an electric field to a portion of the data storage medium, a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the data storage medium, and a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the portion of the data storage medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate, a magnetic recording layer formed on the substrate to record magnetic information, and a piezoelectric material disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording layer and capable of contracting and expanding. Preferably, piezoelectric members made of the piezoelectric material are formed in such a manner as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on the substrate in a direction crossing a track on the magnetic recording layer, and the magnetic recording layer is formed between the piezoelectric members. When subjected to laser light or ultraviolet radiation, the piezoelectric material contracts or expands at least in the direction crossing the track. The piezoelectric material is selected from the group consisting of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate, barium titanate, and potassium niobate.

Abstract: Peptide amphiphile compounds, compositions and methods for self-assembly or nanofibrous network formation under neutral or physiological conditions.

Abstract: A structure has a substrate and a layer containing a magnetic material dispersed in a nonmagnetic material, the magnetic material being comprised of first crystal particles having an easy magnetization axis crytsllographically oriented in the direction of the normal line of the substrate and forming columns perpendicular to the substrate and second crystal particles having a crystallographic orientation in a direction different from the direction of the crystallographic orientation in the first crystal particles, and the ratio of the second crystal particles to the entire crystal particles in the columns ranging from 10% to 50% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for preparing porous dielectric thin films containing pore-generating material, said composition comprising gemini detergent, and/or a quaternary alkyl ammonium salt, a thermo-stable organic or inorganic matrix precursor, and solvent for dissolving the two solid components. There is also provided an interlayer insulating film having good mechanical properties such as hardness, modulus and hydroscopicity, which is required for semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A biaxially stretched, heat sealable, thermoplastic, flexible, food packaging film, preferably multilayer, having an outer heat sealable layer comprising an ethylene vinyl ester copolymer, preferably a blend of two different EVA copolymers wherein said heat sealing layer (which is preferably crosslinked by irradiation) has an M.sub.w of 50,000 or more, and an M.sub.n between 1000 and 18,000.