The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of transition metal oxide fine particles, the method comprising the steps of: heating a strong-alkaline aqueous solution while stirring same; adding to and dissolving in the heated strong-alkaline aqueous solution a transition metal oxide; adding a strong-acid aqueous solution to the strong alkaline aqueous solution in which the transition metal oxide is dissolved, while stirring same, thereby re-dissolving a solid generated at the interface between the strong-alkaline aqueous solution and the strong-acid aqueous solution; adjusting the pH of the mixed aqueous solution resulting from mixing the strong-alkaline aqueous solution and the strong acid aqueous solution, through adjustment of the adding rate and amount of the strong-acid aqueous solution, to precipitate transition metal oxide fine particles; and separating the transition metal oxide fine particles from the mixed aqueous solution and sequentially washing, drying, and thermally treating the separated transition metal oxide fine particles.

A molybdenum compound and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device, the molybdenum compound being represented by the following General Formula (I):

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A molybdenum compound and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device, the molybdenum compound being represented by the following General Formula (I):

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Integrated recycling method and processes including recycling spent catalyst to produce one or more water-soluble metal salts and one or more water-insoluble tail byproducts, and recycling rechargeable batteries to produce one or more battery-grade metals and one or more pure metallic byproducts, wherein the water insoluble tail byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the rechargeable batteries, the impure metallic byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the spent catalyst, or both.

Integrated recycling method and processes including recycling spent catalyst to produce one or more water-soluble metal salts and one or more water-insoluble tail byproducts, and recycling rechargeable batteries to produce one or more battery-grade metals and one or more pure metallic byproducts, wherein the water insoluble tail byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the rechargeable batteries, the impure metallic byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the spent catalyst, or both.

A functionalized fiber. The functionalized fiber includes a fiber strand and silica nanoparticles at least partially encapsulating the fiber strand. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolyzing a tetramethyl orthosilicate in hydrochloric acid to form silicic acid monomers. The silicic acid monomers are diluted in acetone and irradiated for a time that is less than 90 seconds with an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy to polymerize the silicic acid monomers into the silica nanoparticles.

A functionalized fiber. The functionalized fiber includes a fiber strand and silica nanoparticles at least partially encapsulating the fiber strand. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolyzing a tetramethyl orthosilicate in hydrochloric acid to form silicic acid monomers. The silicic acid monomers are diluted in acetone and irradiated for a time that is less than 90 seconds with an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy to polymerize the silicic acid monomers into the silica nanoparticles.

Methods are provided for synthesizing high purity niobium or rhenium powders by a combustion reaction. The methods can include: forming a combustion synthesis solution by dissolving in water an oxidizer, a fuel, and at least one base-soluble, ammonium salt of niobium or rhenium in amounts that yield a stoichiometric burn when combusted; and heating the combustion synthesis solution to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove the water and to initiate a self-sustaining combustion reaction.

Methods are provided for synthesizing high purity niobium or rhenium powders by a combustion reaction. The methods can include: forming a combustion synthesis solution by dissolving in water an oxidizer, a fuel, and at least one base-soluble, ammonium salt of niobium or rhenium in amounts that yield a stoichiometric burn when combusted; and heating the combustion synthesis solution to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove the water and to initiate a self-sustaining combustion reaction.

An intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) includes an anode layer, an electrolyte adjacent to the anode layer, and a cathode layer adjacent to the electrolyte and including a material of formula (I) or (II): Sr.sub.2OsO.sub.4 (I) or Ba.sub.2MO.sub.4 (II), where M is a transition metal or post-transition metal.