A dielectric composition is provided. The dielectric composition includes: a main component made of: a first complex oxide expressed by a chemical formula {K(Ba.sub.1-xSr.sub.x).sub.2Nb.sub.5O.sub.15}; and a second complex oxide expressed by a chemical formula that differs the chemical formula of the first complex oxide. The second complex oxide is a complex oxide expressed by one of chemical formulae: {(Ca.sub.1-ySr.sub.y)(Zr.sub.1-zTi.sub.z)O.sub.3}; {Ba(Ti.sub.1-uZr.sub.u)O.sub.3}; {(Ca.sub.1-vSr.sub.v)TiSiO.sub.5}; and {(Ba.sub.1-wRe.sub.2w/3)Nb.sub.2O.sub.6}, x satisfies 0.35≦x≦0.75, and a satisfies 0.25≦a≦0.75 when a molar ratio between the first and second complex oxides is defined by a:b in an order and a+b=1.00.

A ceramic material includes zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) doped with scandium (Sc) ions. ZTA can be further doped with other metal ions, and the other metal ions include cobalt (Co) ions, chromium (Cr) ions, zinc (Zn) ions, titanium (Ti) ions, manganese (Mn) ions, nickel (Ni) ions, or a combination thereof. The ceramic material can be used as a ceramic object, such as a wire bonding capillary, a heat dissipation plate, a denture tooth, orthopedic implants, direct bonded copper, or a high-temperature co-fired ceramic.

Disclosed is a rapid, reproducible solution-based method to synthesize solid sodium ion-conductive materials. The method includes: (a) forming an aqueous mixture of (i) at least one sodium salt, and (ii) at least one metal oxide; (b) adding at least one phosphorous precursor as a neutralizing agent into the mixture; (c) concentrating the mixture to form a paste; (d) calcining or removing liquid from the paste to form a solid; and (e) sintering the solid at a high temperature to form a dense, non-porous, sodium ion-conductive material. Solid sodium ion-conductive materials have electrochemical applications, including use as solid electrolytes for batteries.

This ferrite sintered magnet comprises ferrite phases having a magnetoplumbite type crystal structure. This magnet comprises an element R, an element M, Fe, Co, B, Mn and Cr, the element R is at least one element selected from rare earth elements including Y, the element M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, with Ca being an essential element, and when an atomic composition of metallic elements is represented by R.sub.1-xM.sub.xFe.sub.m-yCo.sub.y, x, y and m satisfy formulae:
0.2≤x≤0.8  (1)
0.1≤y≤0.65  (2)
3≤m<14  (3). Additionally, a content of B is 0.1 to 0.4% by mass in terms of B.sub.2O.sub.3, a content of Mn is 0.15 to 1.02% by mass in terms of MnO, and a content of Cr is 0.02 to 2.01% by mass in terms of Cr.sub.2O.sub.3.

A purification method that uses ion-selective ceramics to electrochemically filter waste products from a molten salt. The electrochemical method uses ion-conducting ceramics that are selective for the molten salt cations desired in the final purified melt, and selective against any contaminant ions. The method can be integrated into a slightly modified version of the electrochemical framework currently used in pyroprocessing of nuclear wastes.

Provided is a thermistor sintered body which stably provides a desired B constant even if a composition deviation of an additive element has occurred. The thermistor sintered body-includes a Y.sub.2O.sub.3 phase and a YMnO.sub.3 phase, wherein a chemical composition of Cr, Mn, Ca and Y excluding oxygen includes Cr: 3 mol % or less (while including 0%), Mn: 5 to 18 mol %, Ca: 1 to 18 mol %, and Sr: 1 to 25 mol %, with the balance being unavoidable impurities and Y. In the thermistor sintered body, Ca and Sr may be dissolved in the YMnO.sub.3 phase.

An antimicrobial material including a substrate and an antimicrobial mixed metal oxide, mixed metal sulfide, or mixed metal oxysulfide in and/or on the substrate is described, as well as antimicrobial coating materials and coatings formed therefrom. The antimicrobial material may be constituted in an antimicrobial surface of a surface-presenting substrate, to combat transmission and spread of microbial disease, e.g., disease mediated by microbial pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Antimicrobial mixed metal oxide, mixed metal sulfide, or mixed metal oxysulfide as described may be contacted with microorganisms to effect inactivation thereof.

Provided is a ferrite sintered magnet including: magnetoplumbite type ferrite crystal grains; and a two-grain boundary interposed between the ferrite crystal grains. The two-grain boundary contains Ca and La, and an atomic ratio Ca/La at the two-grain boundary is 0.3 to 3.0.

Provided are a barium titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics having satisfactory piezoelectric performance and a satisfactory mechanical quality factor (Q.sub.m), and a piezoelectric element using the same. Specifically provided are a piezoelectric ceramics, including: crystal particles; and a grain boundary between the crystal particles, in which the crystal particles each include barium titanate having a perovskite-type structure and manganese at 0.04% by mass or more and 0.20% by mass or less in terms of a metal with respect to the barium titanate, and the grain boundary includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Ba.sub.4Ti.sub.12O.sub.27 and Ba.sub.6Ti.sub.17O.sub.40, and a piezoelectric element using the same.

A novel and environmentally preferable method is provided for preparing solid electrolyte particles capable of making dense, flexible, Li.sup.+ conducting electrolyte thin films. Methods are also provided for using the solid electrolyte particles and/or thin films in manufacturing safer and more efficient lithium-based batteries. In particular, the method uses inorganic precursors instead of using organic precursors in preparing an aerosol and then convert the aerosol to solid powders to provide the solid electrolyte particles. The solid electrolyte particles prepared have a cubic polymorph and have a desired particle size range, and are capable of making a solid electrolyte film with a thickness less than 50 μm.