New copper-coated titanium diboride electrodes are disclosed. The copper-coated titanium diboride electrodes may be used in an aluminum electrolysis cell. In one embodiment, a method includes installing the copper-coated titanium diboride electrode in the aluminum electrolysis cell and operating the aluminum electrolysis cell. During start-up, the aluminum electrolysis cell may be preheated and a bath may be formed from a molten electrolyte. Alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) may in the added to the bath and reduced to aluminum metal. At least some of the copper film of the copper-coated titanium diboride electrode may be replaced by an aluminum film, thereby forming an aluminum-wetted titanium diboride electrode.

New copper-coated titanium diboride electrodes are disclosed. The copper-coated titanium diboride electrodes may be used in an aluminum electrolysis cell. In one embodiment, a method includes installing the copper-coated titanium diboride electrode in the aluminum electrolysis cell and operating the aluminum electrolysis cell. During start-up, the aluminum electrolysis cell may be preheated and a bath may be formed from a molten electrolyte. Alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) may in the added to the bath and reduced to aluminum metal. At least some of the copper film of the copper-coated titanium diboride electrode may be replaced by an aluminum film, thereby forming an aluminum-wetted titanium diboride electrode.

An electrophoretic deposition method of forming a boron nitride (BN) nanotube interface coating on ceramic fibers has been developed. The method comprises immersing first and second electrodes in a suspension including surface-modified BN nanotubes, where the first electrode includes ceramic fibers positioned on a surface thereof. The surface-modified BN nanotubes comprise BN nanotubes with an electrically charged polymer adsorbed on surfaces thereof. A voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, and the surface-modified BN nanotubes move toward the first electrode and deposit on the ceramic fibers. After the deposition of the surface-modified BN nanotubes, the ceramic fibers are removed from the suspension and heat treated. Accordingly, a BN nanotube interface coating is formed on the ceramic fibers.

A piezoelectric element includes: a piezoelectric ceramic which has a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula Li.sub.xNa.sub.yK.sub.1−x−yNbO.sub.3 (where 0.02<x≤0.1, 0.02<x+y≤1) as its primary component and which contains at least one of alkali earth metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, and barium, as well as silver, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic contains LiNbO.sub.3 at the surface but contains no or less LiNbO.sub.3 in the inner portion which is 5 μm or deeper from the surface, than at the surface; and at least one pair of electrodes formed on the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic.

The present invention relates to a method for impregnating concrete with a non-aqueous electrolyte characterized in that an electric field is applied between electrodes mounted on the concrete surface and/or embedded in the concrete such that the non-aqueous electrolyte migrates into the concrete. Preferably, lithium ions are dissolved in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

The present invention relates to a method for impregnating concrete with a non-aqueous electrolyte characterized in that an electric field is applied between electrodes mounted on the concrete surface and/or embedded in the concrete such that the non-aqueous electrolyte migrates into the concrete. Preferably, lithium ions are dissolved in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

A method of making a fiber reinforced composite includes: infiltrating a preform having a perimeter with an electrophoretic gel; adding nanoparticles to wells located in the electrophoretic gel outside the preform perimeter; introducing the nanoparticles to the preform using gel electrophoresis; removing the electrophoretic gel to result in a preform having embedded nanoparticles; and infiltrating the preform having embedded nanoparticles with a matrix material or a matrix material precursor.

An electrophoretic deposition method of forming a boron nitride (BN) nanotube interface coating on ceramic fibers has been developed. The method comprises immersing first and second electrodes in a suspension including surface-modified BN nanotubes, where the first electrode includes ceramic fibers positioned on a surface thereof. The surface-modified BN nanotubes comprise BN nanotubes with an electrically charged polymer adsorbed on surfaces thereof. A voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, and the surface-modified BN nanotubes move toward the first electrode and deposit on the ceramic fibers. After the deposition of the surface-modified BN nanotubes, the ceramic fibers are removed from the suspension and heat treated. Accordingly, a BN nanotube interface coating is formed on the ceramic fibers.

A ceramic device including a ceramic material, a patterned metal structure, and a surface activation material is provided. A surface of the ceramic material at least includes a first surface and a second surface that are not coplanar. The ceramic material has recesses on the surface thereof. The patterned metal structure is disposed on the first surface and the second surface. The surface activation material is disposed on a surface of the recesses and located at an interface between the ceramic material and the patterned metal structure.

A ceramic device including a ceramic material, a patterned metal structure, and a surface activation material is provided. A surface of the ceramic material at least includes a first surface and a second surface that are not coplanar. The ceramic material has recesses on the surface thereof. The patterned metal structure is disposed on the first surface and the second surface. The surface activation material is disposed on a surface of the recesses and located at an interface between the ceramic material and the patterned metal structure.