Abstract: Described is a composite material composed of an atomically thin (single layer) amorphous carbon disposed on top of a substrate (metal, glass, oxides) and methods of growing and differentiating stem cells.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for improved electro-enhancement of surfaces of workpieces. The systems and methods can include immersing a metal workpiece in a salt bath and applying a time-varying electric current that has periods of high current with periods of lower current between. The systems and methods provide borided metal workpieces that contain preferred borides on the surface and lack less preferred borides. For example, the systems and methods can provide borided steel having Fe2B and substantially lacking FeB on the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at temperatures from about 150° C. to about 750° C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

Abstract: The invention discloses a direct-current shunt preheating start method for an inert electrode aluminum electrolysis cell, comprising: (1) forming multiple groups of direct-current shunt elements by using conductors with preset resistance values and geometric sizes; (2) laying in a hearth of the electrolysis cell electrical heating element groups of the same number as/a different number from electrode groups; (3) drying the hearth, smelting electrolyte and establishing a thermal balance and a hearth inner profile by using the electrical heating element groups according to a set heating curve or set steps; (4) changing the number of groups/a series or parallel connection state of the direct-current shunt elements; and (5) gradually replacing inert electrodes and gradually adjusting the number of the groups of/the series or parallel connection state of the shunt elements.

Abstract: An electrode for use in bio-electrochemical systems is described, including: a substantially planar electrode material; a frame comprising a non-conductive substance; and one or more first conductive substances linked or secured to the frame. Bio-electrochemical systems, racks for inserting the electrode, and methods of using the racks are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrodeposition of elemental zirconium at a temperature of less than 100° C. from a mixture of a Lewis acid, a zirconium salt and an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon film includes: forming a deposition composition comprising silicon dioxide dispersed in a molten salt; placing a metal substrate and a counter electrode in the composition; and passing a reducing current between the metal substrate and the counter electrode, wherein the reducing current causes reduction of silicon dioxide particles to form a silicon film on the metal substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a down-hole tool comprises contacting at least a portion of at least one down-hole structure comprising at least one ceramic-metal composite material with a molten electrolyte comprising sodium tetraborate. Electrical current is applied to at least a portion of the at least one down-hole structure to form at least one borided down-hole structure comprising at least one metal boride material. Other methods of forming a down-hole tool, and a down-hole tool are also described.

Abstract: Dense carbon films are deposited on a conductive substrate by placing the substrate acting as anode in a molten salt electrolyte bath containing a source of carbide ion and applying DC current across the substrate and a counter electrode acting as cathode also placed in the molten salt electrolyte bath. The carbide ions are electrochemically oxidized to deposit a carbon film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A non-aqueous Magnesium electrolyte comprising: (a) at least one organic solvent; (b) at least one electrolytically active, soluble, inorganic Magnesium (Mg) salt complex represented by the formula: MgaZbXc wherein a, b, and c are selected to maintain neutral charge of the molecule, and Z and X are selected such that Z and X form a Lewis Acid, and 1?a?10, 1?b?5, and 2?c?30. Further Z is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, boron, phosphorus, titanium, iron, and antimony; X is selected from the group consisting of I, Br, Cl, F and mixtures thereof. Rechargeable, high energy density Magnesium cells containing an cathode, an Mg metal anode, and an electrolyte of the above-described type are also disclosed.

Abstract: High-purity erbium having a purity of 5N or higher excluding rare earth elements and gas components, and containing Al, Fe, Cu, and Ta each in an amount of 1 wtppm or less, W in an amount of 10 wtppm or less, carbon in an amount of 150 wtppm or less, alkali metals and alkali earth metals each in an amount of 1 wtppm or less, other transition metal elements in a total amount of 10 wtppm or less, and U and Th as radioactive elements each in an amount of 10 wtppb or less. An object of this invention is to provide a method of highly purifying erbium, which has a high vapor pressure and is difficult to refine in a molten state, as well as technology for efficiently and stably providing high-purity erbium obtained with the foregoing method, a sputtering target made of high-purity erbium, and a metal gate film having high-purity erbium as a main component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for lithiation of an intercalation-based anode or a non-reactive plating-capable foil or a reactive alloy capable anode, whereby utilization of said lithiated intercalation-based anode or a plating-capable foil or reactive alloy capable anode in a rechargeable battery or electrochemical cell results in an increased amount of lithium available for cycling, and an improved reversible capacity during charge and discharge.

Abstract: Dense carbon nitride films are electrochemically formed on a conductive substrate by placing the substrate acting as cathode in a molten salt electrolyte bath and applying DC current across the substrate and a counter electrode acting as anode also placed in the molten salt electrolyte bath. Carbonate ion and nitrate ion are concurrently reduced to deposit carbon nitride films on the substrate.

Abstract: Dense carbon nitride films are electrochemically formed on a conductive substrate by placing the substrate acting as cathode in a molten salt electrolyte bath and applying DC current across the substrate and a counter electrode acting as anode also placed in the molten salt electrolyte bath. Carbonate ion and nitrate ion are concurrently reduced to deposit carbon nitride films on the substrate.

Abstract: Dense carbon films are deposited on a conductive substrate by placing the substrate acting as anode in a molten salt electrolyte bath containing a source of carbide ion and applying DC current across the substrate and a counter electrode acting as cathode also placed in the molten salt electrolyte bath. The carbide ions are electrochemically oxidized to deposit a carbon film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: To provide a method for forming a boron-containing thin film, by which a uniform boron thin film with good adhesion can be formed on the surface of a processing object, and also to provide a multilayer structure. An electrolysis apparatus includes an anode 1, a processing object 2 serving as a cathode, an electrolytic vessel 4, and a molten salt electrolytic bath 5. A variable power supply 6 is connected between the anode 1 and the processing object 2. The variable power supply 6 is configured to be capable of changing a voltage or current waveform during the electrolysis process. Current of an appropriate pulse waveform is applied in the molten salt for electrolysis to form a uniform boron thin film 3 within the processing object 2 having a complicated shape.

Abstract: A copper electroplating bath that includes an aqueous solution that comprises a copper salt and at least one acid and a container that comprises a copper salt in solid form, is disclosed. The container supplies copper ions to the aqueous solution to maintain the copper ion concentration of the aqueous solution at saturation levels while retaining the copper salt in solid form within the container.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structure including tungsten as a main component and tungsten carbide is provided. In the structure, the content of carbon is at least 0.1% by mass and the total content of cobalt, nickel, and iron is 3% or less by mass, respectively based on the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a metal body, which leads in a simple and reliable way to formation of a defined surface topography, if desired also combined, in the range from 10 nm to 500 ?m on a metal base body or blank which is to have, in particular, nanoscale pores. For this purpose, a pulsating current is applied to a metal base body in an electrolysis bath, with the electrolysis bath comprising salt former ions matched to the material of the metal base body. Furthermore, the invention provides a dental implant having particularly advantageous surface properties, in which a nanostructure is superimposed on a surface microstructure and nitrogen atoms and/or nitrogen compounds are attached and/or included in the region of the surface.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide an electrodeposition method for metals using a molten salt, which easily enables the electrodeposition of various types of metals such as refractory metals and rare earth metals. In order to solve this problem, the invention is characterized in that it is effected at the electrodeposition temperature in a range of from 100° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: Methods for the application of a polymer-free coating onto a medical device using plasma electrolytic deposition, comprising: (i) optionally applying a metal precoating onto a medical device; (ii) placing the medical device in an electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte; and (iii) establishing an electric potential under plasma electrolytic deposition conditions between an electrode and the medical device, such that the plasma electrolytic deposition conditions are adequate to sustain deposition from the electrolyte solution onto the surface of the medical device to form the coating. The invention also relates to coating compositions and coated medical devices, such as stents, made according to these methods. If desired, the polymer-free coating can be a drug-eluting coating.

Abstract: A process for electrochemical deposition of tantalum on an article in an inert, non-oxidizing atmosphere, or under vacuum, in a molten electrolyte containing tantalum ions, comprising the steps of: immersing the article into the molten electrolyte heated to a working temperature, passing an electric current through the electrolyte to thereby deposit a tantalum coating on the article, wherein the process of tantalum deposition at least in an initial phase deposits pure ?-tantalum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid repellent member applied to ink jet, comprising a carbon substrate, and a liquid repellent film formed on a surface of the carbon substrate and formed by bonding between carbon and fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of electrolytically forming a tantalum film by using a molten-salt electrolytic bath having a low temperature. The electrolytic bath includes a molten salt containing tantalum pentachloride, alkylimidazolium chloride, and an alkali metal or alkali earth metal fluoride such as lithium fluoride.

Abstract: A conductive oxide solid formed through an electrochemical process. The resulting solid predominantly contains oxides of the highest oxidation state. Additionally, the solid can be thick, uniform, stable across a wide range of acidity and temperature, fully hydrated, and conductive with a very low redox potential. A preferred embodiment is an iridium solid formed at high temperature in molten carbonate, said solid containing intercalated lithium. The solid has application as an electrode with reduced drift. An electrochemical acidity sensor is disclosed which pairs an electrode bearing the solid with a reference electrode. Additionally, sensor apparatuses for measuring carbon dioxide and other materials as well as methods for measuring materials using an embedded acidity sensor are disclosed.

Abstract: A refractory boride body or coating made of a boride of titanium, chromium, vanadium, ziconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, molybednum and cerium is produced from a slurry of the refractory boride or a precursor in a collidal carrier preferably composed of two more different grades of the same colloidal carrier selected from colloidal alumina, yttria, ceria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia, lithia, monoaluminum phosphate and cerium acetate. The slurry can also comprise an organic additive selected from polyvinyl alcohol; polyacrylic acid; hydroxyy propyl methyl cellulose; polythylene glycol; ethylene glycol, butyl benzyl phthalate; ammonium polymethacrylate and mixtures thereof. The retractory boride body or coated body is useful as a component of aluminum electrowinning cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing molten salts and their mixings, using an extruder. The starting materials are melted and reacted and the products of the reaction are then guided via a column with alkali salt.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell comprising the steps of providing an anode in a cell, preferably a non-reactive anode, and also providing a cathode in the cell, the cathode comprised of a base material having low electrical conductivity reactive with molten aluminum to provide a highly electrically conductive layer on the base material. Electric current is passed from the anode to the cathode and alumina is reduced and aluminum is deposited at the cathode. The cathode base material is selected from boron carbide, and zirconium oxide.

Abstract: An object is to provide a metallic-conduit-armored type linear member in which a linear member and the like contained in a metallic conduit do not become damaged and a defect in the metallic conduit can be repaired, a metallic conduit for armoring the linear member, and a method and a system for manufacturing the metallic-conduit-armored type linear member. The method comprises a basic process (I) in which a metallic tape (1) is formed into a tubular member, a seam of the tubular member is joined to complete a sealed metallic conduit, and a metallic-conduit-armored type linear member (12) is formed by loading a linear member (5) inside the metallic conduit, and a metallic coating process (II) in which a metallic coating layer is formed on an outer surface of the sealed metallic conduit by performing plating by using a room-temperature molten-salt electrolytic bath subsequent to the basic process (I).

Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based, high temperature resistant, electrically conductive and electrochemically active anode of a cell for the production of aluminium has a metal-based substrate to which an adherent coating is applied prior to its immersion into the electrolyte and start up of the electrolysis by connection to the positive current supply. The coating is obtainable from one or more layers applied from: a liquid solution, a dispersion in a liquid or a paste, a suspension in a liquid or a paste, and a pasty or non-pasty slurry, and combinations thereof with or without one or more further applied layers, with or without heat treatment between two consecutively applied layers when at least two layers are applied.

Abstract: A method of protecting during the start-up procedure a cathode (1) of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium where the cathode (1) is optionally coated with an aluminium-wettable refractory material (2) and on which cathode, in use, aluminium is produced. The start-up procedure comprises applying before preheating the cell one or more start-up layers (3) on the aluminium-wettable refractory coating (2). The start-up layer(s) form(s) a temporary protection (3) against damage of chemical and/or mechanical origin to the aluminium-wettable coating (2), this temporary protection (3) being in intimate contact with the aluminium-wettable coating (2) and being eliminated before or during the initial normal operation of the cell. The layers of the temporary protection (3) may be obtained from at least one pliable foil of aluminium having a thickness of less than 0.

Abstract: A process for the production of refractory metal plates platinized on one side, in which refractory metal plates of predetermined dimensions are tightly, form-fittingly joined together back to back, are coated with platinum on their exposed surfaces by melt electrolysis and the plates are then separated one from the other. These plates may be processed into expanded metal grids platinized on one side. These refractory metal plates platinized on one side and the expanded metal grids platinized on one side produced therefrom may be used highly advantageously as anodes in electrolytic and electroplating processes.

Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy of iron with at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.

Abstract: The electrochemical formation of oxygen ion conducting solid oxide layers is achieved by the cathodic deposition of the oxide layers from a melted salt bath of alkali element halides containing dissolved metal halides which provide the metal cations from which oxide layers are formed and attached to conductive cathodes. Oxygen is supplied at the cathodes to form oxygen ions which diffuse through the cathodically formed oxide layers and react with dissolved metal cations leading to oxide layer growth. The dissolved metal halides are regenerated at the anodes from metals and metal compounds. The process is called cathodic oxide deposition (COD) and represents a new and economic method for the fabrication of oxygen ion conductor layers for solid oxide electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal composite strip for the production of electrical contact components. A film made of tin or a tin alloy is first applied onto an initial material made of an electrically conductive base material. A film of silver is then deposited thereonto. Copper or a copper alloy is preferably used as the base material. The tin film can be applied in the molten state, and the silver film by electroplating. Furthermore, both the tin film and the silver film can be deposited by electroplating. A further alternative provides for manufacturing the tin film in the molten state and the silver film by cathodic sputtering. The diffusion operations which occur in the coating result in a homogeneous film of a tin-silver alloy. This formation can be assisted by way of a heat treatment of the composite strip.

Abstract: An electroplating process for preparing a monolith metal layer over a polycrystalline base metal and the plated monolith product. A monolith layer has a variable thickness of one crystal. The process is typically carried in molten salts electrolytes, such as the halide salts under an inert atmosphere at an elevated temperature, and over deposition time periods and film thickness sufficient to sinter and recrystallize completely the nucleating metal particles into one single crystal or crystals having very large grains. In the process, a close-packed film of submicron particle (20) is formed on a suitable substrate at an elevated temperature. The temperature has the significance of annealing particles as they are formed, and substrates on which the particles can populate are desirable. As the packed bed thickens, the submicron particles develop necks (21) and as they merge into each other shrinkage (22) occurs.

Abstract: A process for sulfurizing treatment of ferrous articles comprises positioning an electrolysis crucible containing a molten-salt bath of potassium thiocyanate and sodium thiocyanate and a pretreatment crucible containing a molten-salt bath of substantially the same composition adjacent to each other, assembling a unitary body by setting a plurality of the articles on a conductive support member in electrical contact therewith and attaching a cathode material to the support member to be out of contact with the articles and electrically insulated from the support member, immersing the unitary body in the bath contained in the pretreatment crucible, maintaining this bath temperature at substantially a prescribe bath temperature during ensuing electrolysis to bring the temperature of the unitary body near the prescribed temperature, transferring the unitary body from the pretreatment crucible to the bath in the electrolysis crucible while maintaining its temperature, and treating the articles by electrolysis.

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: Crystalline REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductors are obtained by a constant-potential or current density electrochemical deposition in an alkaline hydroxide molten flux in a three-electrode, single-compartment cell operating at a temperature below 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Metallization under vacuum, on at least one face of a plastic film so as to give a substrate including a metallic surface, which substrate is sufficiently electrically conductive to permit a uniform electrochemical deposit. The latter is carried out by electrochemical plating, of at least one metal, on the metallized surface starting from an electrolytic solution, so as to give a thin metallic film having a metal thickness between 0.1 and 4 microns. The metallized substrate is selected so as to be compatible and to facilitate the step of electrochemical plating. The thin metallic sheet obtained is adherent to and supported by the plastic film. The metallic sheet may be used as current collectors for polymer electrolyte lithium batteries, as multi-layer film used as wrapping material permeable to gases and humidity, as a screen for light, flexible conductors, etc.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising coating portions of a reactor system with a material more resistant to carburization, reacting the material with metal oxides existing in the portions of the reactor system prior to coating, fixating or removing at least a portion of the oxide in the metal oxides, and reforming hydrocarbons in the reactor system under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: A method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising coating portions of a reactor system with a material more resistant to carburization, reacting the material with metal sulfides existing in the portions of the reactor system prior to coating, fixating and removing at least a portion of the sulfur in the metal sulfides, and reforming hydrocarbons in the reactor system under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of tinplates comprising electroplating a substrate in a fused-chloride tin plating bath at a temperature of about 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., a current density of about 100 to 500 A/dm.sup.2 in an atmosphere of a non-oxidizing gas. This process may be converted to a process for the manufacture of reflow type tinplates by only changing the bath temperature, and vice versa. For the manufacture of no-reflow type tinplates, the bath is kept at 150.degree. to 232.degree. C., while for the manufacture of reflow type tinplates, the bath is kept at 233.degree. to 350.degree. C. In these cases, the bath includes SnCl.sub.2 and at least one member selected from the group consisting of KCl, NaCl, LiCl and AlCl.sub.3, and may preferably be operated while flowing the bath at a flow rate of about 0.1 m/sec higher.

Abstract: A new electrolytic process and apparatus are provided using sodium, cerium or a similar metal in alloy or within a sodium beta or beta"-alumina sodium ion conductor to electrolytically displace each of the spent fuel metals except for cesium and strontium on a selective basis from the electrolyte to an inert metal cathode. Each of the metals can be deposited separately. An electrolytic transfer of spent fuel into the electrolyte includes a sodium or cerium salt in the electrolyte with sodium or cerium alloy being deposited on the cathode during the transfer of the metals from the spent fuel. The cathode with the deposit of sodium or cerium alloy is then chanted to an anode and the reverse transfer is carried out on a selective basis with each metal being deposited separately at the cathode. The result is that the sodium or cerium needed for the process is regenerated in the first step and no additional source of these reactants is required.

Abstract: Neodymium and neodymium-iron alloys are obtained by electrolysis of a neodymium salt melt using magnetite as the anode material. The cathode is non-consumable or is made of iron to be consumed and form a neodymium-iron alloy. The electrolysis is preferably carried out under a protective atmosphere.

Abstract: An adherent protective coating of a refractory material is produced on the surface of carbonaceous, refractory, ceramic, metallic or other materials serving as components of electrolytic cells operating at high temperature, by applying to such surfaces a well chosen micropyretic reaction layer from a slurry, which when dried is ignited to initiate a self-sustaining micropyretic reaction, along a combustion front, to produce condensed matter forming such refractory protective adherent coating. The slurry is preferably applied in several layers, the first layer(s) to facilitate adherence and the last layer(s) to provide protection and may contain some preformed non-reactant materials. The electrolytic cells whose components require such coatings are especially those operating at high temperature with a molten salt electrolyte, particularly those for the production of metals, aluminum being the most important.

Abstract: Gases such as hydrogen/hydrocarbon may be separated by a separating membrane of a Group VIII noble metal on a deposit of non-noble Group VIII metal which is supported on a porous silver or a porous carbon body.

Abstract: An adherent protective coating of a refractory material is produced on the surface of carbonaceous, refractory, ceramic, metallic or other materials serving as components of electrolytic cells operating at high temperature, by applying to such surfaces a well chosen micropyretic reaction layer from a slurry, which when dried is ignited to initiate a self-sustaining micropyretic reaction, along a combustion front, to produce condensed matter forming such refractory protective adherent coating. The slurry is preferably applied in several layers, the first layer(s) to facilitate adherence and the last layer(s) to provide protection, and may contain some preformed non-reactant materials. The electrolytic cells whose components require such coatings are especially those operating at high temperature with a molten salt electrolyte, particularly those for the production of metals, aluminium being the most important.

Abstract: An electrochemical process and electrochemical cell for reducing a metal oxide are provided. First the oxide is separated as oxygen gas using, for example, a ZrO.sub.2 oxygen ion conductor anode and the metal ions from the reduction salt are reduced and deposited on an ion conductor cathode, for example, sodium ion reduced on a .beta.-alumina sodium ion conductor cathode. The generation of and separation of oxygen gas avoids the problem with chemical back reaction of oxygen with active metals in the cell. The method also is characterized by a sequence of two steps where an inert cathode electrode is inserted into the electrochemical cell in the second step and the metallic component in the ion conductor is then used as the anode to cause electrochemical reduction of the metal ions formed in the first step from the metal oxide where oxygen gas formed at the anode. The use of ion conductors serves to isolate the active components from chemically reacting with certain chemicals in the cell.

Abstract: A method of electrodepositing a film including the steps of immersing a conductive substrate opposite a counterelectrode in an organochloroindate melt comprising a salt of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony, and an InCl.sub.3 -dialkylimidazolium chloride wherein the alkyl groups each comprise no more than four carbons, and the molar ratio of the InCl.sub.3 to the organic chloride ranges from about 45/55 to 2/3; and cathodizing said substrate at a potential selected to codeposit In and said metal. In addition, substitution of a small amount of InCl.sub.3 with a trichloride salt of another Group III metal can be employed to obtain deposits containing other Group III metals. For molar ratios of the metal salt to InCl.sub.3 other than 45/55, the melt is heated to 45.degree. C. or greater.