A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a multilayer structure in which each of a plurality of ceramic dielectric layers and each of a plurality of internal electrode layers are alternately stacked wherein: a concentration of a rare earth element of at least one of an end margin region and a side margin region is lower than that of a capacity region; a total concentration of Si and B of the at least one of the end margin region and the side margin region is higher than that of the capacity region.

A method of preparing a fiber for use in forming a ceramic matrix composite material comprises the steps of removing an organic sizing from a fiber to provide pyrolyzed remnants on the fiber, and using the pyrolyzed remnants as a reactant to provide an interface coating on the fiber.

Nanotube filaments comprising carbon, boron and nitrogen of the general formula B.sub.xC.sub.yN.sub.z, having high-aspect ratio and high-crystallinity produced by a pressurized vapor/condenser method and a process of production. The process comprises thermally exciting a boron-containing target in a chamber containing a carbon source and nitrogen at a pressure which is elevated above atmospheric pressure.

Methods for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite are disclosed. A fiber preform may be placed in a mold. An aqueous solution may be added to the fiber preform. The aqueous solution may include water, carbon nanotubes, and a binder. The preform may be frozen. Freezing the preform may cause the water to expand and separate fibers in the fiber preform. The carbon nanotubes may bond to the fibers. The preform may be freeze dried to remove the water. The preform may then be processed according to standard CMC process.

A multi-composition fiber is provided including a primary fiber material and an elemental additive material deposited on grain boundaries between adjacent crystalline domains of the primary fiber material. A method of making a multi-composition fiber is also provided, which includes providing a precursor laden environment, and promoting fiber growth using laser heating. The precursor laden environment includes a primary precursor material and an elemental precursor material.

Provided herein are nanofibers and processes of preparing carbonaceous nanofibers. In some embodiments, the nanofibers are high quality, high performance nanofibers, highly coherent nanofibers, highly continuous nanofibers, or the like. In some embodiments, the nanofibers have increased coherence, increased length, few voids and/or defects, and/or other advantageous characteristics. In some instances, the nanofibers are produced by electrospinning a fluid stock having a high loading of nanofiber precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock comprises well mixed and/or uniformly distributed precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock is converted into a nanofiber comprising few voids, few defects, long or tunable length, and the like.

A fully dense ceramic and/or other inorganic fiber containing elongated crystal grains in and around the fiber center and oriented along the fiber axis, with a smooth transition to more equiaxed grains towards the radial periphery of the fiber, and method for producing such.

Methods of producing silicon carbide, and other metal carbide materials. The method comprises reacting a carbon material (e.g., fibers, or nanoparticles, such as powder, platelet, foam, nanofiber, nanorod, nanotube, whisker, graphene (e.g., graphite), fullerene, or hydrocarbon) and a metal or metal oxide source material (e.g., in gaseous form) in a reaction chamber at an elevated temperature ranging up to approximately 2400 C. or more, depending on the particular metal or metal oxide, and the desired metal carbide being produced. A partial pressure of oxygen in the reaction chamber is maintained at less than approximately 1.0110.sup.2 Pascal, and overall pressure is maintained at approximately 1 atm.

Multi-composition fibers with one or more refractory additives, and methods of making the fibers, are provided. The method(s) includes providing a precursor-laden environment, and promoting fiber growth using laser heating. The precursor-laden environment includes a primary precursor material and a refractory precursor material. The multi-composition fiber may include a primary fiber material, and a refractory material substantially homogeneously intermixed with the primary fiber material.

Methods for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite are disclosed. A fiber preform may be placed in a mold. An aqueous solution may be added to the fiber preform. The aqueous solution may include water, carbon nanotubes, and a binder. The preform may be frozen. Freezing the preform may cause the water to expand and separate fibers in the fiber preform. The carbon nanotubes may bond to the fibers. The preform may be freeze dried to remove the water. The preform may then be processed according to standard CMC process.