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: A product in which at least a portion of the product has a nanocrystalline microstructure, and a method of forming the product. The method generally entails machining a body in a manner that produces chips consisting entirely of nano-crystals as a result of the machining operation imposing a sufficiently large strain deformation. The body can be formed of a variety of materials, including metal, metal alloy and ceramic materials. Furthermore, the body may have a microstructure that is essentially free of nano-crystals, and may even have a single-crystal microstructure. The chips produced by the machining operation may be in the form of particulates, ribbons, wires, filaments and/or platelets. The chips are then used to form the product. According to one aspect of the invention, the chips are consolidated to form the product, such that the product is a monolithic material that may contain nano-crystals.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen occluding alloy exhibiting high absorption and desorption speeds. A hydrogen occluding alloy comprising as an overall composition: 25 to 45 weight % Zr+Hf, wherein the Hf comprises not more than 4%, 1 to 12 weight % Ti, 10 to 20 weight % Mn, 2 to 12 weight % V, 0.6 to 5 weight % rare earth elements, and a balance Ni (of which content is not less than 25 weight %) and unavoidable impurities, and basically having a three-phase structure consisting of: a main phase which constitutes the matrix of the alloy and which is made of a Zr--Ni--Mn based alloy, a dispersed granular phase made of a rare earth elements--Ni type alloy distributed along the grain boundary of the main phase, and a flaky phase which is made of a Ni--Zr type alloy attached to the dispersed granular phase and intermittently distributed along the grain boundary mentioned above.

Abstract: A tungsten heavy alloy composition comprising tungsten, iron and elements selected from the groups X, Y and Z and having the formula W.sub.100-p Fe.sub.i X.sub.j Y.sub.k Z.sub.l. Such that "X" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Mn and Co; "Y" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo and V; "Z" is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ti and Al; "i" ranges from 5 to 19.5 weight percent; "j" ranges from 0.05 to 6 weight percent; "k" ranges from 0.15 to 5 weight percent; "l" ranges from 0.05 to 4 weight percent; and "p" is the mathematical sum of i, j, k and l, and ranges from 7 to 20 such that "100-p" ranges from 93 to 80 weight percent. The blended powder mixture thus formed is hot consolidated to full density. The hot consolidated blended powder mixture is subjected to a hardening heat treatment.

Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing nanocrystalline material. A system includes a chamber, a nonconsumable cathode shielded against chemical reaction by a working gas not including an oxidizing gas, but including an inert gas, a consumable anode vaporizable by an arc formed between the cathode and the anode, and a nozzle for injecting at least one of a quench and reaction gas in the boundaries of the arc.

Abstract: A process for producing nanocrystalline materials, and in particular nanocrystalline nickel having an average grain size of less than about 11 nanometers is described. The nanocrystalline material is electrodeposited onto the cathode in an aqueous acidic electrolytic cell by application of a pulsed D.C. current. The cell electrolyte also contains a stress reliever, such as saccharin, which helps to control the grain size. The novel product of the invention find utility as wear resistant coatings, hydrogen storage materials, magnetic materials and as catalysts for hydrogen evolution.

Abstract: An aluminum pigment usable for high-quality metallic paints and having a ratio of specific surface area in m.sup.2 /g to water coverage in m.sup.2 /g, of 5.0 or less and flakiness of 90 or more is disclosed together with a process for producing such an aluminum pigment.

Abstract: Particulate matter having precisely controlled length, width, thickness (i.e., height) and shape is produced with photolithographic techniques using a release film. In accordance with the method, a first photoresist layer is cured upon a substrate and a second photoresist layer is selectively cured upon the first photoresist to provide a desired pattern. The uncured portions of the second photoresist layer are removed so that a plurality of first and second deposition sites are produced wherein each said first and second deposition site has the desired area and wherein each first deposition site is located in a first plane and each second deposition site is located in a second plane. Further, portions of the substrate which are not part of the first deposition site are not located in the first plane and portions of the substrate which are not part of a second deposition site are not located in the second plane. The desired material is deposited using line-of-sight chemical deposition techniques.

Abstract: An improved flaked tantalum powder and process for making the flaked powder are disclosed. The powder is characterized by having a Scott density greater than about 18 g/in.sup.3 and preferably at least about 90% of the flake particles having no dimension greater than about 55 micrometers. Agglomerates of the flaked tantalum powder, provide improved flowability, green strength and presssing characteristics compared to conventional flaked tantalum powders. The improved flaked tantalum powder can be made by preparing a flaked tantalum and then reducing the flake size until a Scott density greater than about 18 g/in.sup.3 is achieved. The invention also provides pellets and capacitors prepared from the above-described flaked tantalum powder.

Abstract: An aluminium flake pigment characterized in that the ratio of the average thickness of flakes to the average diameter of flakes is in the range of 0.025 to 0.3, preferably 0.028 to 0.1 and the ratio of the water covering area to the specific surface area is in the range of 0.18 to 0.4, preferably 0.19 to 0.35 is disclosed herein.The aluminium flake pigment of the invention has the improved resistance to the circulation of the metallic paint during the painting.

Abstract: A molten metal is placed in contact with a bed of moving beads. The molten metal breaks up into fine particles which are rapidly cooled in contact with the beads and consequently acquire a structure which is typical for such rapid cooling.

Abstract: An aluminium flake pigment characterized in that the ratio of the average thickness of flakes to the average diameter of flakes is in the range of 0.025 to 0.3, preferably 0.028 to 0.1 and the ratio of the water covering area to the specific surface area is in the range of 0.18 to 0.4, preferably 0.19 to 0.35 is disclosed herein.The aluminium flake pigment of the invention has the improved resistance to the circulation of the metallic paint during the painting.