A bi-continuous composite of a refractory alloy and copper, and a method for manufacturing the same, are provided. The method for manufacturing a bi-continuous composite of a refractory alloy and copper includes: providing an alloy melt swapping (AMS) precursor; providing a copper melt with a temperature in a range of 1085° C. to 3410° C.; immersing the AMS precursor into the copper melt; and removing the AMS precursor from the copper melt. The AMS precursor includes elements having positive and negative mixing enthalpy with copper, respectively. The AMS precursor into which the copper melt is diffused becomes a bi-continuous composite with a first phase formed from the copper and a second phase formed from the AMS precursor.

A bi-continuous composite of a refractory alloy and copper, and a method for manufacturing the same, are provided. The method for manufacturing a bi-continuous composite of a refractory alloy and copper includes: providing an alloy melt swapping (AMS) precursor; providing a copper melt with a temperature in a range of 1085° C. to 3410° C.; immersing the AMS precursor into the copper melt; and removing the AMS precursor from the copper melt. The AMS precursor includes elements having positive and negative mixing enthalpy with copper, respectively. The AMS precursor into which the copper melt is diffused becomes a bi-continuous composite with a first phase formed from the copper and a second phase formed from the AMS precursor.

A process for producing a glass melting component composed of refractory metal. A surface zone of the glass melting component is densified at least in sections by application of local compressive stress. As a result the surface zone has its porosity reduced compared to a volume section which is located underneath the surface zone and which has residual porosity.

A process for producing a glass melting component composed of refractory metal. A surface zone of the glass melting component is densified at least in sections by application of local compressive stress. As a result the surface zone has its porosity reduced compared to a volume section which is located underneath the surface zone and which has residual porosity.

A metallic material that includes a base material; and a surface layer formed on a surface of the base material and exposed on an outermost surface, wherein the surface layer contains Ag, and In less than the Ag in atomic ratio, and a connection terminal being made of the metallic material, wherein the surface layer is formed on a surface of the base material, at least in a contact portion electrically contacting an opposite electrically conductive member.

A metallic material that includes a base material; and a surface layer formed on a surface of the base material and exposed on an outermost surface, wherein the surface layer contains Ag, and In less than the Ag in atomic ratio, and a connection terminal being made of the metallic material, wherein the surface layer is formed on a surface of the base material, at least in a contact portion electrically contacting an opposite electrically conductive member.

Medical devices, such as implants, having a high-modulus alloy. The alloy includes a biocompatible refractory-metal-based alloy having multiple refractory metals. The alloy in various embodiments has an elastic modulus above about 300 GPa, and includes tungsten, molybdenum, and tungsten.

A variety of polyhedral nanocages are provided having a hollow interior, ultrathin walls, and well-defined facets of metal atoms. The nanocages can include a variety of precious metals such as Pt, Au, Ru, Rh, or Ir. The metal atoms can take a face-centered cubic structure with {111} facets on the surface. The walls can be thin, sometimes less than 1 nm in thickness or only a few atomic layers in thickness. The nanocages can provide for efficient uses of valuable precious metals, among other things, in catalysis. For example, catalysts are provided exhibiting high mass activities in oxygen reduction reactions. Methods of making and methods of using the nanocages and catalysts are also provided.

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a shape memory alloy comprising mixing together to form an alloy nickel, hafnium, aluminum and titanium in amounts of 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium; solution treating the alloy at a temperature of 700 to 1300° C. for 50 to 200 hours; and aging the alloy at a temperature of 400 to 800° C. for a time period of 50 to 200 hours to form a shape memory alloy.

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a shape memory alloy comprising mixing together to form an alloy nickel, hafnium, aluminum and titanium in amounts of 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium; solution treating the alloy at a temperature of 700 to 1300° C. for 50 to 200 hours; and aging the alloy at a temperature of 400 to 800° C. for a time period of 50 to 200 hours to form a shape memory alloy.