A positive electrode material for secondary batteries, the positive electrode material being represented by Li.sub.4+xFe.sub.4+y(P.sub.2O.sub.7).sub.3, where 0.80x0.60, 0.30y0.40, and 0.30x+y0.30, the positive electrode material comprising a triclinic crystal structure.

A positive electrode material for secondary batteries, the positive electrode material being represented by Li.sub.4+xFe.sub.4+y(P.sub.2O.sub.7).sub.3, where 0.80x0.60, 0.30y0.40, and 0.30x+y0.30, the positive electrode material comprising a triclinic crystal structure.

An example ferroelastic ceramic composition includes at least one compound having a relative chemical formula of A.sub.XB.sub.YC.sub.(1-X-Y)D. Element A, element B, and element C are independently selected from different members of the group consisting of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Element D is selected from the group consisting of phosphate, niobate, and tungstate. X and Y are each equal to or greater than zero and less than one. X and Y are collective less than one.

Disclosed is a nonlinear optical (NLO) material for use in deep-UV applications, and methods of fabrication thereof. The NLO is fabricated from a plurality of components according to the formula A.sub.qB.sub.yC.sub.z and a crystallographic non-centrosymmetric (NCS) structure. The NLO material may be fabricated as a polycrystalline or a single crystal material. In an embodiment, the material may be according to a formula Ba.sub.3ZnB.sub.5PO.sub.14.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of crystalline zeolite materials with tailored crystal habits and the methods for forming such crystalline zeolite materials. The methods for forming the crystalline zeolite materials include binding one or more zeolite growth modifiers (ZGMs) to the surface of a zeolite crystal, which results in the modification of crystal growth rates along different crystallographic directions, leading to the formation of zeolites having a tailored crystal habit. The improved properties enabled by the tailored crystal habit include a minimized crystal thickness, a shortened internal diffusion pathlength, and a greater step density as compared to a zeolite having the native crystal habit prepared by traditional processes. The tailored crystal habit provides the crystalline zeolite materials with an aspect ratio of about 4 or greater and crystal surfaces having a step density of about 25 steps/m.sup.2 or greater.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of crystalline zeolite materials with tailored crystal habits and the methods for forming such crystalline zeolite materials. The methods for forming the crystalline zeolite materials include binding one or more zeolite growth modifiers (ZGMs) to the surface of a zeolite crystal, which results in the modification of crystal growth rates along different crystallographic directions, leading to the formation of zeolites having a tailored crystal habit. The improved properties enabled by the tailored crystal habit include a minimized crystal thickness, a shortened internal diffusion pathlength, and a greater step density as compared to a zeolite having the native crystal habit prepared by traditional processes. The tailored crystal habit provides the crystalline zeolite materials with an aspect ratio of about 4 or greater and crystal surfaces having a step density of about 25 steps/m.sup.2 or greater.

Method for limiting growth of KDP-type crystals with a long seed where an upper and a lower ends of the long seed crystal are respectively limited by an upper baffle plate and a lower tray to restrain growth of a pyramidal surface and allow only four prismatic surfaces in [100] and [010] directions to grow. Finally grown crystal contains no pyramid-prism interface that severely restricts quality of optical element, and all cut optical elements have high optical quality. As four prismatic surfaces are subjected to highly similar growing environment and grow simultaneously, all optical elements cut therefrom have high optical uniformity. Due to uniqueness of a cutting angle of a KDP crystal frequency-tripled element, high cutting efficiency is achieved in the element, and an area of a maximum frequency-tripled element that may be cut is known in advance according to a horizontal size of the grown crystal.

Method for limiting growth of KDP-type crystals with a long seed where an upper and a lower ends of the long seed crystal are respectively limited by an upper baffle plate and a lower tray to restrain growth of a pyramidal surface and allow only four prismatic surfaces in [100] and [010] directions to grow. Finally grown crystal contains no pyramid-prism interface that severely restricts quality of optical element, and all cut optical elements have high optical quality. As four prismatic surfaces are subjected to highly similar growing environment and grow simultaneously, all optical elements cut therefrom have high optical uniformity. Due to uniqueness of a cutting angle of a KDP crystal frequency-tripled element, high cutting efficiency is achieved in the element, and an area of a maximum frequency-tripled element that may be cut is known in advance according to a horizontal size of the grown crystal.

Disclosed is a nonlinear optical (NLO) material for use in deep-UV applications, and methods of fabrication thereof. The NLO is fabricated from a plurality of components according to the formula A.sub.qB.sub.yC.sub.z and a crystallographic non-centrosymmetric (NCS) structure. The NLO material may be fabricated as a polycrystalline or a single crystal material. In an embodiment, the material may be according to a formula Ba.sub.3ZnB.sub.5PO.sub.14.

An object is to reduce variation in shape of crystals that are to be formed. Solutions containing respective raw materials are made in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air, the solutions containing the respective raw materials are mixed in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air to form a mixture solution, and with use of the mixture solution, a composite oxide is formed by a hydrothermal method.