An oxide sintered body containing indium, hafnium, tantalum, and oxygen as constituent elements, in which when indium, hafnium, and tantalum are designated as In, Hf, and Ta, respectively, the atomic ratio of Hf/(In+Hf+Ta) is equal to 0.002 to 0.030, and the atomic ratio of Ta/(In+Hf+Ta) is equal to 0.0002 to 0.013.

An oxide sintered body containing indium, hafnium, tantalum, and oxygen as constituent elements, in which when indium, hafnium, and tantalum are designated as In, Hf, and Ta, respectively, the atomic ratio of Hf/(In+Hf+Ta) is equal to 0.002 to 0.030, and the atomic ratio of Ta/(In+Hf+Ta) is equal to 0.0002 to 0.013.

There is produced a Li-containing silicon oxide powder containing a crystallized lithium silicate that is mostly water-insoluble Li.sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.5 and containing little crystalline Si. This object is attained through the mixing of a lower silicon oxide powder represented by a compositional formula SiO.sub.x (0.5<x<1.5) with a powdered lithium source that involves grinding of the powdered lithium source; controlling a median diameter D1 of the lower silicon oxide powder and a median diameter D2 of the powdered lithium source so as to fulfill 0.05D2/D12; and calcining the mixed powder at 300 C. or higher and 800 C. or lower.

Provided is a photosintering composition including cuprous oxide particles containing at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of tin, manganese, vanadium, cerium and silver, and a solvent. It is preferable that the cuprous oxide particle contain 1 ppm to 30,000 ppm of tin as the additive element. It is also preferable that the photosintering composition contain 3% by mass to 80% by mass of the cuprous oxide particles and 20% by mass to 97% by mass of the solvent.

Provided is a photosintering composition including cuprous oxide particles containing at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of tin, manganese, vanadium, cerium and silver, and a solvent. It is preferable that the cuprous oxide particle contain 1 ppm to 30,000 ppm of tin as the additive element. It is also preferable that the photosintering composition contain 3% by mass to 80% by mass of the cuprous oxide particles and 20% by mass to 97% by mass of the solvent.

Disclosed are compositions of electroactive polymers (EAPs) having improved performance stability. In the EAP compositions, a cross-linked polymer is deposited onto the surface of the EAP by vapor-deposition methods. Upon contact with an aqueous solution (e.g., an aqueous electrolyte solution), the vapor-deposited polymeric network becomes a hydrogel that encapsulates the EAPs. By modulating precursors and vapor deposition conditions, the mesh size of the resultant hydrogel coatings can be controlled to accommodate the key species that interact with the EAPs.

Disclosed are compositions of electroactive polymers (EAPs) having improved performance stability. In the EAP compositions, a cross-linked polymer is deposited onto the surface of the EAP by vapor-deposition methods. Upon contact with an aqueous solution (e.g., an aqueous electrolyte solution), the vapor-deposited polymeric network becomes a hydrogel that encapsulates the EAPs. By modulating precursors and vapor deposition conditions, the mesh size of the resultant hydrogel coatings can be controlled to accommodate the key species that interact with the EAPs.

A single phase liquid formulation useful for producing an organic charge transporting film; said formulation comprising: (a) a first polymer resin having M.sub.w less than 5,000; (b) a second polymer resin having M.sub.w at least 7,000; (c) a first solvent having a boiling point from 50 to 165 C.; and (d) a second solvent having a boiling point from 180 to 300 C.

A fluoride ion conductor contains rubidium, magnesium, and fluorine. In an average composition of the fluoride ion conductor, the ratio of the number of moles of the magnesium to the total number of moles of the rubidium and the magnesium is less than 0.4.

A fluoride ion conductor contains rubidium, magnesium, and fluorine. In an average composition of the fluoride ion conductor, the ratio of the number of moles of the magnesium to the total number of moles of the rubidium and the magnesium is less than 0.4.