Methods of using sorbents to enhance the production of hydrogen from fuel, and related systems, are generally described. In some embodiments, the production of hydrogen from the fuel involves a reforming reaction and/or a gasification reaction combined with a water-gas shift reaction.

In order to provide a novel oriented apatite-type oxide ion conductor which can achieve an increase in area through suppression of crack generation and preferably can be manufactured more inexpensively by an uncomplicated process, an oriented apatite-type oxide ion conductor composed of a composite oxide represented by A.sub.9.33+x[T.sub.6yM.sub.y]O.sub.26.00+z A in the formula is one kind or two or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. T in the formula is an element including Si, Ge, or both of them. M in the formula is one kind or two or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of B, Ge, Zn, Sn, W, and Mo.

The present invention relates to the field of nonlinear optical crystal materials and provided herein a Li.sub.4Sr(BO.sub.3).sub.2 compound, a Li.sub.4Sr(BO.sub.3).sub.2 nonlinear optical crystal as well as preparation method and use thereof. The Li.sub.4Sr(BO.sub.3).sub.2 nonlinear optical crystal has a second harmonic conversion efficiency at 1064 nm of about two times that of a KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 (KDP) crystal, and an UV absorption cut-off edge less than 190 nm. Furthermore, the crystal did not disintegrate. By flux method with Li.sub.2O, Li.sub.2OB.sub.2O and Li.sub.2OB.sub.2O.sub.3LiF used as flux agent, large-size and transparent Li.sub.4Sr(BO.sub.3).sub.2 nonlinear optical crystal can grow. The Li.sub.4Sr(BO.sub.3).sub.2 crystal had stable physicochemical properties, moderate hardness, and was easy to cut, processing, preserve and use. Therefore it can be used for preparing nonlinear optical devices and thus for developing nonlinear optical applications in the ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet band.

The present invention relates to an electrode material of formula LiMn.sub.xCo.sub.1-xBO.sub.3, where 0<<1, and to a method of preparing the same comprising independently preparing a manganese borate and a cobalt borate and then simultaneously thermally treating them under an inert atmosphere, in the presence of a precursor of lithium and of boric acid.

A process for producing a ceramic material including providing an aqueous solution comprising at least one transition metal ion and one or more further transition metal ion and/or one or more additional ion; adding to the aqueous solution a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium hydroxide comprising at least one alkyl group containing about 8 or more carbon atoms to form a combined aqueous solution; mixing the combined aqueous solution to form a gel; transferring the formed gel to a furnace; and heating the formed gel to a temperature sufficient for a time sufficient to calcine the gel to form a solid ceramic material. The process in accordance with the present invention provides an improved ceramic material, in some embodiments of which is suitable for use in the cathode material of a lithium ion battery.

A compound is provided that has the formula: Ln.sub.4-x-zB.sub.xD.sub.zM.sub.2-n-yA.sub.nB.sub.yO.sub.9, where Ln comprises La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, or a mixture thereof; x is 0 to about 2; D is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or a mixture thereof, where: D is not equal to Ln; if D is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, or a mixture thereof, then z is 0 to less than 4; if D is Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or a mixture thereof, then z is 0 to about 2; M comprises Ga, Al, or a combination thereof; A comprises Fe, In, or a combination thereof; n is 0 to about 1; y is 0 to about 1; and x+y is greater than 0. In one embodiment, a composition is generally provided that includes a silicon-containing material and such a boron-doped refractory compound.

A compound is generally provided that has the formula: Ln.sub.3-xB.sub.xM.sub.5-yB.sub.yO.sub.12, where Ln comprises Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or a mixture thereof; x is 0 to about 1.5; M comprises Ga, In, Al, Fe, or a combination thereof; y is 0 to about 2.5; and x+y is greater than 0. A composition is also provided that includes a silicon-containing material (e.g., silicon metal and/or a silicide) and the boron-doped refractory compound having the formula described above, such as about 0.001% to about 85% by volume of the boron-doped refractory compound.

Provided are a cathode active material including polycrystalline lithium manganese oxide and a sodium-containing coating layer on a surface of the polycrystalline lithium manganese oxide, and a method preparing the same. Since the cathode active material according to an embodiment of the present invention may prevent direct contact between the polycrystalline lithium manganese oxide and an electrolyte solution by including the sodium-containing coating layer on the surface of the polycrystalline lithium manganese oxide, the cathode active material may prevent side reactions between the cathode active material and the electrolyte solution. In addition, since limitations, such as the Jahn-Teller distortion and the dissolution of Mn.sup.2+, may be addressed by structurally stabilizing the polycrystalline lithium manganese oxide, tap density, life characteristics, and charge and discharge capacity characteristics of a secondary battery may be improved.

The invention relates to cation borate present in powder form, with a small grain size and low water solubility. The cation borate present in powder form and a suspension produced therefrom are suitable for example for the treatment of coating materials (such as wood preservatives), in particular fungicidal, biocidal and insecticidal treatment.

A solid electrolyte contains a borate containing Li, an element R selected from a group including Yb, Er, Tm, and La, and an element M1 selected from a group including Mg, Sr, and Ca.