Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition wherein a suitable amount of Cu is contained in a perovskite compound of a non-stoichiometric composition represented by a formula (KxA1-x)y(Nb1-zBz)O3, wherein “A” represents at least one of Na and Bi, while “B” represents at least one of Ta and Ti, and wherein 0<x?1, 0<y<1, and 0?z?1, so that by-products such as KaCubNbcOd and KaCubTacOd are produced as a result of reaction of (Nb1-zBz) with Cu in the process of calcination of a starting material, and the by-products restrict melting and abnormal grain growth of (KxNa1-x)(Nb1-zTaz) O3 during firing of a calcined body, thereby improving sinterability of the fired body, while restricting volatilization of alkali components and melting of KNbO3, thereby increasing the density and improving the piezoelectric properties of the fired body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a ceramic dispersion composition, the method comprising the step of heating a mixture of a ceramic powder having a photocatalytic activity, a dispersant and a solvent at a temperature of about 70° C. or higher without substantially letting the solvent out of the reaction system. The ceramic dispersion composition can be used for providing a film showing a high hydrophilicity by light irradiation.

Abstract: The use of blocks (1, 2, 3, 4) based on sintered tin oxide for producing the throat of a glass furnace.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition firable at a reduced sintering temperature is provided. The main composition is expressed with the general formula: [(Pb1-m-n-pSrmBanCdp)(ZrxTi1-x)1-k(BiaMnb)k]O3+yBi2O3+z(Fluorine Compound) where 0.00?m<0.15, 0.00?n<0.15, 0.00<(m+n)<0.21, 0.00 <p<0.04, 0.50?x?0.56, 0.00<a?1.00, 0.00<b?1.00, 0.00<k<0.04, 0.00?y?1.00(in weight %), 0.00?z?1.00(in weight %) and fluorine compound is LiF or MgF2. The ceramic material of the invention can be advantageously used in multilayered piezoelectric ceramic devices, in piezoelectric ceramic transformers, in piezoelectric ceramic actuators or in piezoelectric ceramic transducers.

Abstract: Single-phase, non-cubic and single-phase, cubic ferroelectric/paraelectric lead-based perovskite-structured materials having reasonably low and fairly temperature insensitive dielectric constants (stable dielectric constants over a wide range of operating temperatures of ?80° C. to 100° C.), reasonable loss tangents (<˜10?1), high tunability, and significantly lowered Curie temperature below the temperature range of operation for previous undoped perovskite structures are provided. The FE/PE materials of the present invention have dilute charge-compensated substitutions in the Ti site of the perovskite structure. This single-phase structure or a variant of it with a Ti rich composition, provided herein, allows for pulsed-laser-deposition of a thin film with uniform transfer of the structure of the target into the deposited film, which enables production of very small, lightweight devices that are extremely efficient and consume little power.

Abstract: A ceramic composite with a mixed conducting oxide that has perovskite type crystal structure of {Ln1?aAa}{BxB?yB?z}O(3??) where a, x, y, and z are within the range of 0.8?a?1, 0<x, 0<y?0.5, 0?z?0.2, 0.98?x+y+z?1.02, and ? denotes a value that is determined so as to meet a charge neutralization condition. A denotes a combination of one or more kinds of elements selected out of Ba, Sr, and Ca. B denotes a combination of one or more kinds of elements selected out of Co, Fe, Cr, and Ga, the combination always containing Fe or Co. B? denotes a combination of one or more kinds of elements selected out of Nb, Ta, Ti, and Zr, the combination always containing Nb or Ta. The present invention is also directed to a mixed conducting oxide and a ceramic composite. The mixed conducting oxide is of formula AFexO(3??). A is selected out of Ba, Sr, and Ca, and is within the range of 0.98?x?1.02, and ? denotes a value determined so as to meet the charge neutralization conditions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing single crystal ceramic powder is provided. The method includes a powder supply step for supplying powder consisting essentially of ceramic ingredients to a heat treatment area with a carrier gas, a heat treatment step for heating the powder supplied to the heat treatment area at temperatures required for single-crystallization of the powder to form a product, and a cooling step for cooling the product obtained in the heat treatment step to form single crystal ceramic powder. The method provides single crystal ceramic powder consisting of particles with a very small particle size and a sphericity being 0.9 or higher.

Abstract: An oxide ion conductor is manufactured having a relatively high mechanical strength while the ionic conduction thereof is maintained at a satisfactory level. The oxide ion conductor is represented by the formula Ln11-xAxGa1-y-z-wB1yB2zB3wO3-d. In the oxide ion conductor, Ln1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, and Ba, B1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, and In, B2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni, and Cu, and B3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Co, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Zr, wherein x is 0.05 to 0.3, y is 0.025 to 0.29, z is 0.01 to 0.15, w is 0.01 to 0.15, y+z+w is 0.035 to 0.3, and d is 0.04 to 0.3.

Abstract: A sol-gel process for producing layers of zirconium oxide is described which comprises the following stages: (i) production of a soluble, zirconium-containing powder by: (a) reaction of a zirconium alcoholate of the general formula Zr(OR)4, in which the residues R are the same or different and represent straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl residues with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which optionally exhibit one or more carbonyl and/or ester and/or carboxyl functions, with one or more polar compounds having complexing, chelating properties, (b) heating the solution, (c) mixing the solution with water, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, (d) concentrating the solution until a powder is obtained, (ii) dissolving the powder forming a sol, (iii) coating a substrate with the sol, and (iv) annealing the coated substrate.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion comprising silicon/titanium mixed oxide powder with a BET surface area of 5 to 500 m2/g which has been prepared by flame hydrolysis and has a titanium dioxide content of 0.5 to 20 wt. %, based on the powder, water and at least one pH-regulating substance which can be removed completely from the reaction mixture on heating, the aqueous dispersion having a solids content of between 40 and 80 wt. %. A green body produced therefrom with a green density of between 40 and 85%. A shaped glass article of optical quality with a coefficient of thermal expansion of not more than 0.5×10?6/K produced from the green body.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a mullite-aluminum titanate porous diesel particulate filter constituting a porous ceramic body containing, expressed in terms of weight percent of the total body, of 60-90%, preferably 70-80%, most preferably 70% iron-aluminum titanate solid solution having a stoichiometry of Al2(1?x)Fe2xTiO5, where x is 0-0.1, and 10-40%, preferably 20-30%, most preferably 30% mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2), and consists essentially, expressed in terms of weigh percent on the oxide basis, of 3 to 15% SiO2, 55 to 65% Al2O3, 22 to 40% TiO2, and 0 to 10% Fe2O3, and being useful for filtration of diesel exhaust. The inventive diesel particulate filter exhibits high interconnected open porosity and large median pore size, in combination with high permeability when fired to a temperature of between 1650° to 1700° C., along with high thermal shock resistance and good filtration capability.

Abstract: Using as a negative thermal expansion material a double oxide containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: RQ,O, (wherein R is Zr, Hf or a tetravalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of these, and Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo), and using as a positive thermal expansion material a material containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: MQX, (wherein M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra or a divalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of any of these, Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo, and X is an element selected from O and S), these are mixed preferably in a weight ratio of 1:1 and are synthesized to obtain a material whose coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero over a wide temperature range, i.e., a zero thermal expansion material. Using this zero thermal expansion material, high-precision and high-performance practical component parts can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing a ceramic object includes producing particles of a type A and a type B. Each particle has a dimension of at least 5 ?m and each type of particle includes a ceramic material that is based on a mixture of silver oxide, niobium oxide and tantalum oxide. The method includes producing a particle mixture by mixing the types of particles, producing a green compact by compressing the particle mixture, and sintering the green compact.

Abstract: A ceramic mass has a phase-heterogeneous ceramic of m weight percent of a phase composed of BaNd2Ti4O12 with negative temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant and 100-m weight percent of a phase composed of Nd2Ti2O7 with positive temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant, with m having a value of 50<m<70, and an additive of glass frit that contains ZnO, B2O3 and SiO2 and whose weight amounts to between 3 and 10 weight percent of the ceramic. The ceramic mass is used to construct a multi-layer capacitor with copper electrodes.

Abstract: A ceramic material with a sintering temperature below 1000° C. and a Perovskite Structure with the general stoichiometric composition A′1-x-yA″xB′1-a-bB″aB′″bO3 whereby A′=Y, La, Pr, Nd; A″=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; B′=Mn, Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, Sb, W, Zr; B″=Co; B′″=Cu, Bl; O<x<=0.4; 0<=y<=0.1; 0.09<a<=0.6 and; 0.09<=b<=0.6.

Abstract: The characteristics of piezoceramic multilayer actuators based on lead-zirconate-titanate are determined to a great extent by the compatibility of PZT ceramics having a low sintering temperature with the AgPd internal metallisation during cofiring. It is important to take into consideration that Ag ions in PZT modifications have a high diffusivity at high temperatures (>800° C.) and in addition act as acceptor doping when integrated into the PZT system. The reduction of the fraction of the precious metal palladium, which prevents diffusion, is limited, as silver increasingly diffuses into the piezoceramic as the silver fraction in the internal electrodes increases. According to the invention, Ag+ ions are used to form valence-compensated compositions of the PZT system. A higher level of deformation is maintained, i.e. the acceptor-donor effect in the system is very similar to that of the PZT system modified conventionally without internal electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a lead zirconate titanate-based ceramic powder containing uniform, fine lead zirconate titanate, using a solid-phase method. The method includes the steps of mixing a lead oxide powder, a zirconium oxide powder, and a titanium oxide powder to form a mixed base powder; and heat-treating the mixed base powder so that lead oxide in the lead oxide powder and titanium oxide in the titanium oxide powder react to produce lead titanate, and that unreacted lead oxide not used in the reaction, the lead titanate produced by the reaction, and zirconium oxide in the zirconium oxide powder react to produce the lead zirconate titanate-based ceramic powder containing lead zirconate titanate.

Abstract: Process for preparing mixed oxides by reacting alkoxides of the elements titanium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum or mixtures thereof with metal hydroxides, metal carboxylates, metal hydroxycarbonates, metal carbonates or mixtures thereof of the elements lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, gallium, yttrium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, dysprosium, europium, lead, bismuth or mixtures thereof in a C1-C8-alkanol, in a glycol ether or in a mixture thereof at from 50 to 200° C.

Abstract: Single-phase, non-cubic and single-phase, cubic ferroelectric/paraelectric materials comprising a charge compensated lead-based perovskite having the general formula ABO3 is provided, which has reasonably low and fairly temperature insensitive dielectric constants over operating temperatures of −80° C. to 100° C., reasonable loss tangents (<˜10−1), and high tunability. The FE/PE materials of the present invention have dilute charge-compensated substitutions in the Ti site of the perovskite structure.

Abstract: Using as a negative thermal expansion material a double oxide containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: RQ2O8 (wherein R is Zr, Hf or a tetravalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of these, and Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo), and using as a positive thermal expansion material a material containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: MQX4 (wherein M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra or a divalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of any of these, Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo, and X is an element selected from O and S), these are mixed preferably in a weight ratio of 1:1 and are synthesized to obtain a material whose coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero over a wide temperature range, i.e., a zero thermal expansion material. Using this zero thermal expansion material, high-precision and high-performance practical component parts can be obtained.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to piezoelectric rare earth doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds including (zPb(ZrwTi(1−w))O3—(1−z)Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3+REx) where z is ≦0.95, 0.40<w<0.60, and where RE is a rare earth cation dopant, and 0<x<5.0%. The doped compounds have both improved Qm and (k). The RE dopants employed advantageously generate both “hardening” and “softening” effects in doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds. The RE doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds have advantageously high vibrational velocity compared to pure Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds and commercialized hard PZT. The disclosed invention also relates to piezoelectric devices which include the doped piezoelectric ceramic compounds.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic body that can support a required amount of a catalyst component, without lowering the characteristics such as strength, being manufactured without forming a coating layer and providing a high performance ceramic catalyst that is excellent in practical utility and durability. A noble metal catalyst is supported directly on the surface of the ceramic body and the second component, consisting of compound or composite compound of element having d or f orbit in the electron orbits thereof such as W, Co, Ti, Fe, Ga and Nb, is dispersed in the first component made of cordierite or the like that constitutes the substrate ceramic. The noble metal catalyst can be directly supported by bonding strength generated by sharing the d or f orbits of the second component, or through interaction with the dangling bond that is generated in the interface between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: The present invention provides crystal oriented ceramics, and a production method of the same, having a basic composition of isotropic perovskite-based potassium sodium niobate, demonstrating superior piezoelectric characteristics, and having a specific crystal plane oriented to a high degree of orientation. The crystal oriented ceramics as claimed in the present invention is composed of a polycrystalline substance of an isotropic perovskite compound represented by the general formula: {Lix(K1−yNay)1−x}{Nb1−z−wTazSbw}O3 (wherein, 0≦x≦0.2, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦0.4, 0≦w≦0.2, x+z+w>0), and a specific crystal plane of each crystal grain that composes said polycrystalline substance is oriented.

Abstract: The soft piezoelectric ceramic composition is a soft piezoelectric ceramic composition sinterable at a reduced temperature with high piezoelectric parameters and is used in a piezoelectric device. Preferably the soft piezoelectric ceramic composition comprises: [(Pb1-m-nSrmBan)(1-y)Biy[](ZrxTi1-x)1-a-bNiaWb]O3+pCdO wherein m,n,x,y,a and b are molar ratio, p is wt % and are in ranges, repectively, 0.00≦m<0.18, 0.00≦n≦0.18,0.00≦(m+n)≦0.21,0.40≦x≦0.60 0.00<y<0.04, 0.00≦a≦0.02, 0.00<b≦0.02, 0.00<p≦2.00. The soft piezoelectric ceramic composition has high piezoelectric constants and electromechanical coupling coefficients and can be sintered at a reduced temperature below 1000° C. Further, the soft piezoelectric ceramic materials can be co-fired with pure Ag electrode below 960° C.

Abstract: Using as a negative thermal expansion material a double oxide containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: RQ2O8 (wherein R is Zr, Hf or a tetravalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of these, and Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo), and using as a positive thermal expansion material a material containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: MQX4 (wherein M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra or a divalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of any of these, Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo, and X is an element selected from O and S), these are mixed preferably in a weight ratio of 1:1 and are synthesized to obtain a material whose coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero over a wide temperature range, i.e., a zero thermal expansion material. Using this zero thermal expansion material, high-precision and high-performance practical component parts can be obtained.

Abstract: Complex insulating perovskite alloys are of considerable technological interest because of their large dielectric and piezoelectric responses. A certain class of atomic rearrangement should lead simultaneously to large electromechanical responses and to unusual structural phases in a given class of perovskite alloys. In particular, new ferroelectric alloy materials having enhanced electromechanical properties may be obtained by rearranging the ordering of atoms in stacked planes where the alloy is atomically ordered along a direction that is not the direction of polarization of the disordered alloy; the stacking is short; and the atoms belong to different columns of the periodic table. The enhanced electromechanical properties may be obtained at any specific temperature less than the Curie temperature of the disordered alloy.

Abstract: A low loss high-frequency dielectric ceramic composition for sintering at a low temperature and method of manufacturing the same which is characterized in that excellent dielectric properties such as a much lower sintering temperature and higher quality coefficient and dielectric constant, compared to conventional high-frequency ceramic composition, a stabilized temperature coefficient, and a temperature compensating property varied according to a composition, are implemented using a low-priced material such as ZnO—MO (M═Mg, Co, Ni)—TiO2. In addition, Ag, Cu, an alloy thereof, or an Ag/Pd alloy can be used as an internal electrode. Thus, the composition of the present invention can be used as a dielectric material for all sorts of high-frequency devices, such as a stacked chip capacitor, stacked chip filter, stacked chip capacitor/inductor composite device and module, low temperature sintered substrate, resonator or filter and ceramic antenna.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric ceramic capable of improving its piezoelectric properties. The piezoelectric ceramic comprises a rhombohedral perovskite structure compound such as (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3, a tetragonal perovskite structure compound such as BaTiO3 and (K0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 and an orthorhombic perovskite structure compound such as NaNbO3, KNbO3 and CaTiO3, or the rhombohedral perovskite structure compound, the tetragonal perovskite structure compound and a cubic perovskite structure compound such as SrTiO3. Three kinds of perovskite structure compounds having different crystal structures are comprised, so that the piezoelectric properties can be improved. The three kinds of compounds may perfectly form a solid solution or not.

Abstract: To provide a rust inhibitor which is a fired composition excellent in corrosion resisting properties almost as same as or even better than lead compounds and which is also good in stability of electrodeposition bath. The fired composition is a fired matter of a zinc compound and a tin compound, wherein zinc oxide Wz and tin oxide Ws are in the relation of Wz≧Ws in weight %. The ratio of the zinc oxide Wz and the tin oxide Ws is in the range of 99/1 to 70/30 in weight %, and preferably in the range of 95/5 to 85/15. Such a fired matter has not only a rust resisting function but also a curing catalyst function, so that such a curing catalyst as dibutyl tin oxide, which has heretofore been used, can be eliminated.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic material having the molar composition Pb(1+c)−x−(3/2a)−1/2(x·b)A1xA2a(Zry(1−x·b−x·z)Ti(1−y)(1−x·b−x·w))(B1bB2zB3w)xO3 where A1 is selected from the group Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, or their mixtures, A2 is selected from the group of rare-earth elements or their mixtures, B1 is selected from the group Nb, Ta, or Sb or their mixtures, B2 is Cu or a mixture of Cu with at least one element selected from the group Zn, Ni, Co, or Fe, and B3 is Fe, and where the following applies: 0.001≦a≦0.05; 0.05≦b≦0.90; 0≦c≦0.04; 0.005≦x≦0.03; 0.5≦y≦0.55; 0.05≦z≦0.90; 0≦w≦0.5. Furthermore, an electroceramic multilayer component is described having insulating layers containing such a material.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte including a composition represented by Formula 1 below is provided: aLi2O-bB2O3-cM-dX (1) wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of TiO2, V2O5, WO3, and Ta2O5; X is at least one selected from LiCl and Li2SO4; 0.4<a<0.55; 0.4<b<0.55; 0.02<c<0.05; a+b+c=1, and 0≦d<0.2. A method for preparing the solid electrolyte and a battery using the solid electrolyte are also provided. The solid electrolyte exhibits high ionic conductivity. Lithium and thin film batteries using the solid electrolyte are improved in charge/discharge rate, power output, and cycle life.

Abstract: A perovskite compound of the formula, (Na1/2Bi1/2)1-xMx(Ti1-yM′y)O3±z, where M is one or more of Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and M′ is one or more of Zr, Hf, Sn, Ge, Mg, Zn, Al, Sc, Ga, Nb, Mo, Sb, Ta, W, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, and 0.01<x<0.3, and 0.01<y<0.3, and z<0.1 functions as an electromechanically active material. The material may possess electrostrictive or piezoelectric characteristics.

Abstract: Composite oxide powder has a large specific surface area and a large pore volume even after a high-temperature durability test, without losing oxygen storage ability of a single metal oxide. In this composite oxide powder, a first metal oxide having oxygen storage ability is held as ultrafine particles in the form of islands by a second metal oxide which is different from the first metal oxide, pore volume is not less than 2 cc/g and the first metal oxide particles have a diameter of not more than 30 nm even after subjected to high temperature of 900° C. or more. Since the first metal oxide particles are held in the form of islands by the second metal oxide particles, separated from each other and suppressed from contacting each other, the first metal oxide particles hardly grow granularly.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic is made of a sintered body of a complex oxide including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti and Mn, at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Zn and Co, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and Ta, wherein, the complex oxide is represented by a formula xZrO2-yTiO2-zA(1+w)/3B(2−w)/3O2 where ‘A’ in the formula denotes at least one element selected from the group (A) consisting of Mg, Zn and Co, ‘B’ denotes at one element selected from the group (B) consisting of Nb and Ta; x, y, z and w denote values in the respective ranges of 0.20≦x≦0.55, 0.40≦y≦0.55, 0.05≦z≦0.25, and 0≦w≦0.30, and x, y and z have a relationship represented as x+y+z=1; MnO is present in a range of 0.1 mol % to 1.

Abstract: A ceramic mass includes one ceramic material and at least a second different ceramic material. Glass material is arranged between the ceramic materials. The glass material reduces the sintering temperature of the ceramic mass and prevents the various ceramic materials from forming a mixed crystal when the ceramic mass is sintered. The ceramic mass is suitable for use in LTCC technology for the production of capacitors whose permittivity is dependent upon a specific temperature range.

Abstract: A monolithic piezoelectric part capable of yielding a high piezoelectric d constant and suppressing reduction in reliability such as deterioration in insulation resistance can be obtained by a method for manufacturing a monolithic piezoelectric part wherein a piezoelectric ceramic body is formed of a perovskite compound oxide expressed by the general formula of ABO3, and the molar quantity of the A site component, Pb, is reduced by about 0.5 mol % to 5.0 mol % from that of the stoichiometric composition, ceramic raw materials are combined so that the average valence of the B site component is greater than quadrivalent, which is the same as the stoichiometric composition, to synthesize the ceramic powdered raw material, which is processed subsequently to fabricate a layered article, and the layered article is subjected to sintering processing within an atmosphere wherein the oxygen concentration is about 5% or less but more than 0% by volume.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition wherein a suitable amount of Cu is contained in a perovskite compound of a non-stoichiometric composition represented by a formula (KxA1−x)y(Nb1−zBz)O3, wherein “A” represents at least one of Na and Bi, while “B” represents at least one of Ta and Ti, and wherein 0<x≦1, 0<y<1, and 0≦z≦1, so that by-products such as KaCubNbcOd and KaCubTacOd are produced as a result of reaction of (Nb1−zBz) with Cu in the process of calcination of a starting material, and the by-products restrict melting and abnormal grain growth of (KxNa1-x)(Nb1−zTaz) O3 during firing of a calcined body, thereby improving sinterability of the fired body, while restricting volatilization of alkali components and melting of KNbO3, thereby increasing the density and improving the piezoelectric properties of the fired body.

Abstract: A vapor-deposition material for the production of high-refractive-index optical layers of titanium oxide, titanium and lanthanum oxide under reduced pressure comprising a sintered mixture having the composition TiOx+z*La2O3, where x=1.5 to 1.8 and z=10 to 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture. The constituents of the mixture are in the range of 10 to 65% by weight of lanthanum oxide, 38 to 74% by weight of titanium oxide and 2 to 7% by weight of titanium.

Abstract: The dielectric porcelain of the present invention comprises a polycrystalline material of which a main component comprises oxides containing at least a rare earth element (Ln), Al, M (M represents Ca and/or Sr) and Ti as metal elements, wherein the thickness of a grain boundary layer is 20 nm or less, thereby achieving a high value of &egr;r, high Q factor and small absolute value of the temperature coefficient &tgr;f of resonant frequency in a high frequency region. Thus this dielectric porcelain is preferably used in dielectric resonators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a monolithic, porous, ceramic shaped body and to the shaped bodies produced according to this method. Said shaped body is used predominantly as a support material for porous, inorganic and/or organic membranes for the flow filtration of liquids and gases. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for producing a shaped body consisting substantially of TiO2 with an open porosity >10%, an average pore size of between 1 and 50 &mgr;m and a mechanical stability >20 N/mm2. To achieve this, a first TiO2-powder fraction is pre-sintered at temperatures >1200° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optic ceramic material including lead, zinc and niobium having a propagation loss of less than about 3 dB/cm and a quadratic electro-optic coefficient of greater than about 1×10−6 m2/V2 at 20° C. at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The present invention also provides electro-optic devices including an electro-optic ceramic material including lead, zinc and niobium having a propagation loss of less than about 3 dB/cm and a quadratic electro-optic coefficient of greater than about 1×10−16 m2 V at 20° C. at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The materials and devices of the present invention are useful in optical communications applications such as intensity and phase modulation, switching, and polarization control.

Abstract: The invention includes a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target having a predominate grain size of less than or equal to 1.0 micron, and a density of at least 95% of maximum theoretical density. A method of making the target includes hot pressing a prereacted ferroelectric powder predominately including individual prereacted ferroelectric particles having a maximum straight linear dimension of less than or equal to 100 nanometers to form a physical vapor deposition target of desired shape. In one implementation, the prereacted ferroelectric powder is hot pressed at a maximum pressing temperature which is at least 200° C. lower than would be required to produce at least 85% of maximum theoretical density in hot pressing the same powder but having a predominate particle size maximum straight linear dimension of at least 1.0 micron at the same pressure and for the same amount of time.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: A low loss high-frequency dielectric ceramic composition for sintering at a low temperature and method of manufacturing the same which is characterized in that excellent dielectric properties such as a much lower sintering temperature and higher quality coefficient and dielectric constant, compared to a conventional high-frequency ceramic composition, a stabilized temperature coefficient, and a temperature compensating property varied according to a composition, are implemented using a low-priced material such as ZnO—Mo (M═Mg, Co, Ni)—TiO2. In addition, Ag, Cu, an alloy thereof, or an Ag/Pd alloy can be used as an internal electrode. Thus, the composition of the present invention can be used as a dielectric material for all sorts of high-frequency devices, such as a multilayer chip capacitor, multilayer chip filter, multilayer chip capacitor/inductor composite device and module, low temperature sintered substrate, resonator or filter and ceramic antenna.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition of high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, which can be co-fired with Ag electrodes, is provided for use in various parts of electric and electronic appliances. The composition is represented by the following chemical formula: a wt. % {xZrO2−yZnO−wNb2O5−zTiO2}+cwt. % glass frit wherein, 5.0 mol %≦x≦45.0 mol %; 1.5 mol %≦y≦19.0 mol %; 1.5 mol %≦w≦19.0 mol %; 40.0 mol %≦z≦59.0 mol % with the proviso that x+y+w+z=100, 75.0≦a≦97.0, and 3.0≦c≦25.0.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate-based ceramic article having a composition comprising u (Al2O3-TiO2)+v (R)+w (3Al2O3-2SiO2)+x (Al2O3)+y (SiO2)+z (1.1SrO-1.5Al2O3-13.6SiO2-TiO2)+a (Fe2O3-TiO2)+b (MgO-2TiO2), where, R is SrO-Al2O3-2SiO2 or 11.2SrO-10.9Al2O3-24.1SiO2-TiO2, where u, v, w, x, y, z, a and b are weight fractions of each component such that (u+v+w+x+y+z+a+b=1), and 0.5<u≦0.95, 0.01<v≦0.5, 0.01<w≦0.5, 0<x≦0.5, 0<y≦0.1, 0<z≦0.5, 0<a≦0.3, and 0<b≦0.3. A method of forming the ceramic article is provided. The ceramic article is useful in automotive emissions control systems, such as diesel exhaust filtration.

Abstract: An integrated ceramic module is formed of a first ceramic dielectric layer containing a glass as a sintering agent and having a high dielectric constant and high Q value, formed with an electronic component, and a second ceramic dielectric layer containing a glass as a sintering agent and having a low dielectric constant and a high Q value, formed with a signal transmission line.

Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric ceramic and a piezoelectric device having a larger piezoelectric strain constant and capable of being fired at a lower temperature. A main component of PbA[(Mg1/3Nb2/3)a(Zn1/3Nb2/3)bTicZrd]O3 (a+b+c+d=1, 0.99≦A≦1.01, 0.15≦a+b≦0.5, 0.05≦b≦0.25, 0.2≦c≦0.5, 0.15≦d≦0.6) and 0.01 mass % to 0.8 mass % inclusive of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu in the form of oxide per 1 mol of the main component as a first sub-component are comprised. Thereby, a larger piezoelectric strain constant can be obtained, and a firing temperature can be reduced. In the main component, a part of Pb may be replaced with at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba. Further, as a second sub-component, 0.05 mass % to 1.0 mass % inclusive of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Sb, Nb and Ta in the form of oxide per 1 mol of the main component may be comprised.

Abstract: An exemplary composition of matter and method for making high-efficiency, low-loss capacitors is disclosed as including inter alia a B2O3—Bi2O3—ZnO glass in admixture with material typically comprising about 30-40 wt % cubic phase (Bi0.5Zn0.5)(Zn0.5Nb1.5)O7 and about 60-70 wt % pseudo-orthorhombic phase Bi2(Zn1/3Nb1/3)2O7 (e.g., “BZN”). The mixture effectively reduces the sintering temperature of BZN from the range of about 950-1050° C. to the range of about 850-900° C., thereby rendering BZN suitable for cofiring with, for example, existing LTCC dielectrics. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, configured, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to further improve or otherwise optimize the sintering temperature of BZN and/or BZN-based materials.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of the formula Na0.5M0.5Cu3Ti4O12 wherein M=La—Lu, Y, Bi or mixtures thereof. These compositions have high dielectric constant and low loss over a frequency range of from about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz.