A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes secondary particles of a lithium transition metal complex oxide as a main component. The main component is represented by a formula: Li.sub.t(Ni.sub.1-xCo.sub.x).sub.1-yMn.sub.yB.sub.P.sub.S.sub.O.sub.2, where t, x, y, , , and satisfy inequalities of 0x1, 0.00y0.50, (1x).Math.(1y)y, 0.0000.020, 0.000=0.030, 0.0000.030, and 1+3+3+2t1.30, and satisfy at least one of inequalities of 0.002, 0.006, and 0.004. The secondary particles exhibit a pore distribution, where a pore volume Vp(1) having a pore diameter of not less than 0.01 m and not more than 0.15 m satisfies an inequality of 0.035 cm.sup.3/gVp(1) and where a pore volume Vp(2) having a pore diameter of not less than 0.01 m and not more than 10 m satisfies an inequality of Vp(2)0.450 cm.sup.3/g.

A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes secondary particles of a lithium transition metal complex oxide as a main component. The main component is represented by a formula: Li.sub.t(Ni.sub.1-xCo.sub.x).sub.1-yMn.sub.yB.sub.P.sub.S.sub.O.sub.2, where t, x, y, , , and satisfy inequalities of 0x1, 0.00y0.50, (1x).Math.(1y)y, 0.0000.020, 0.0000.030, 0.0000.030, and 1+3+3+2t1.30, and satisfy at least one of inequalities of 0.002, 0.006, and 0.004. The secondary particles exhibit a pore distribution, where a pore volume Vp(1) having a pore diameter of not less than 0.01 m and not more than 0.15 m satisfies an inequality of 0.035 cm.sup.3/gVp(1) and where a pore volume Vp(2) having a pore diameter of not less than 0.01 m and not more than 10 m satisfies an inequality of Vp(2)0.450 cm.sup.3/g.

A method for producing a transparent alumina sintered body according to the present invention includes (a) a step of preparing an alumina raw material powder containing a plate-like alumina powder having an aspect ratio of 3 or more and a fine alumina powder having an average particle diameter smaller than that of the plate-like alumina powder so that, when a mixing ratio of the plate-like alumina powder to the fine alumina powder in terms of mass ratio is assumed to be T:(100T), T is 0.001 or more and less than 1, and so that a mass ratio R1 of F relative to Al in the alumina raw material powder is less than 15 ppm; (b) a step of forming a raw material for forming containing the alumina raw material powder into a compact; and (c) a step of sintering the compact so as to obtain a transparent alumina sintered body.

Organosilicon chemistry, polymer derived ceramic materials, and methods. Such materials and methods for making polysilocarb (SiOC) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials having 3-nines, 4-nines, 6-nines and greater purity. Processes and articles utilizing such high purity SiOC and SiC.

A ferrite sintered body contains Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni. Supposing that Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni are converted into Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Mn.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, CuO, and NiO, respectively, and the sum of the contents of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Mn.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, CuO, and NiO is 100 mol %, the sum of the contents of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 and Mn.sub.2O.sub.3 is 48.47 mol % to 49.93 mol %, the content of Mn.sub.2O.sub.3 is 0.07 mol % to 0.37 mol %, the content of ZnO is 28.95 mol % to 33.50 mol %, and the content of CuO is 2.98 mol % to 6.05 mol %. Furthermore, 102 ppm to 4,010 ppm Zr in terms of ZrO.sub.2 and 10 ppm to 220 ppm Al in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 are contained per 100 parts by weight of the sum of the amounts of contained Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Mn.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, CuO, and NiO.

Durable, porous alumina-carbon nanotube membranes and methods for making them using spark plasma sintering. Methods for removing heavy metals such as cadmium from waste water using alumina-carbon nanotube membranes.

The invention relates to a lead-free piezoceramic material based on bismuth sodium titanate (BST) having the following parent composition: x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zSrTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0z0.07 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-yBaTiO.sub.3-zCaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z0.05 or x(Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-y(Bi.sub.0.5K.sub.0.5)TiO.sub.3-zBaTiO.sub.3 where x+y+z=1 and 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0z<1, characterized by addition of a phosphorus-containing material in a quantity that gives a phosphorus concentration of from 100 to 2000 ppm in the piezoceramic material.

An oriented alumina substrate for epitaxial growth according to an embodiment of the present invention includes crystalline grains constituting a surface thereof, the crystalline grains having a tilt angle of 1 or more and 3 or less and an average sintered grain size of 20 m or more.

An oriented alumina substrate for epitaxial growth according to an embodiment of the present invention includes crystalline grains constituting a surface thereof, the crystalline grains having a tilt angle of 0.1 or more and less than 1.0 and an average sintered grain size of 10 m or more.

Disclosed herein are ceramic materials comprising a ceramic phase and a glass phase and at least one of a reduced alkali content or a reduced iron content. Ceramic materials having relatively low creep rates are also disclosed herein, as well as glass forming bodies comprising such materials, and methods for making glass articles using such forming bodies. Refractory bricks for constructing glass manufacturing vessels are also disclosed. Methods for treating ceramic materials to reduce at least one of the alkali or iron content are further disclosed herein.