The negative electrode active material according to the present embodiment includes alloy particle containing an alloy component and oxygen of 0.50 to 3.00 mass %. The alloy component contains Sn: 13.0 to 40.0 at % and Si: 6.0 to 40.0 at %. The alloy particle contains: one or two phases selected from a D0.sub.3 phase in which the Si content is from 0 to 5.0 at % and a δ phase in which the Si content is from 0 to 5.0 at %; one or two phases selected from an ε phase in which the Si content is from 0 to 5.0 at % and an η′ phase in which the Si content is from 0 to 5.0 at %; and an SiOx phase. The alloy particle has, in an X-ray diffraction profile, a peak having a largest integrated diffraction intensity in a range of 42.0 to 44.0 degrees of a diffraction angle 2θ.

Provided is a negative electrode active material which is excellent in capacity, capacity retention ratio, and a coulombic efficiency when charging/discharging is repeated. The chemical composition of the alloy particles of the negative electrode active material of the present disclosure includes 0.50 to 3.00 mass % of oxygen, and alloy elements containing Sn: 13.0 to 40.0 at % and Si: 6.0 to 40.0 at %, with the balance being Cu and impurities. The structure of the alloy particles includes: one or more types selected from the group consisting of a phase having a D0.sub.3 structure, and a δ phase; one or more types selected from the group consisting of an ε phase and an η′ phase; and a SiO.sub.x phase (x=0.50 to 1.70). The SiO.sub.x phase (x=0.50 to 1.70) has a volume fraction of 5.0 to 60.0% and the η′ phase has a volume fraction of 0 to 60.0%.

This free-cutting copper alloy includes Cu: more than 61.0% and less than 65.0%, Si: more than 1.0% and less than 1.5%, Pb: 0.003% to less than 0.20%, and P: more than 0.003% and less than 0.19%, with the remainder being Zn and unavoidable impurities, a total content of Fe, Mn, Co, and Cr is less than 0.40%, a total content of Sn and Al is less than 0.40%, a relationship of 56.5≤f1=[Cu]−4.5×[Si]+0.5×[Pb]−[P]≤59.5 is satisfied, constituent phases of a metallographic structure have relationships of 20≤(α)≤80, 15≤(β)≤80, 0≤(γ)<8, 18×(γ)/(β)<9, 20≤(γ).sup.1/2×3+(β)×([Si]).sup.1/2≤88, and 33≤(γ).sup.1/2×3+(β)×([Si]).sup.1/2+([Pb]).sup.1/2×35+([P]).sup.1/2×15, and a compound including P is present in β phase.

This free-cutting copper alloy contains Cu: 58.5 to 63.5%, Si: more than 0.4% and 1.0% or less, Pb: 0.003 to 0.25%, and P: 0.005 to 0.19%, with the remainder being Zn and inevitable impurities, a total amount of Fe, Mn, Co and Cr is less than 0.40%, a total amount of Sn and Al is less than 0.40%, a relationship of 56.3≤f1=[Cu]−4.7×[Si]+0.5×[Pb]−0.5×[P]≤59.3 is satisfied, constituent phases of a metal structure have relationships of 20≤(α)≤75, 25≤(β)≤80, 0≤(γ)<2, 20≤(γ).sup.1/2×3+(β)×(−0.5×([Si]).sup.2+1.5×[Si])≤78, and 33≤(γ).sup.1/2×3+(β)×(−0.5×([Si]).sup.2+1.5×[Si])+([Pb]).sup.1/2×33+([P]).sup.1/2×14, and a compound including P is present in β phase.

A laminate includes a base substrate, and a coating layer formed on the base substrate. The coating layer includes a copper alloy portions derived from precipitation-hardening copper alloy particles and hard particle portions which are harder than the copper alloy portions, the hard particle portions are derived from hard particles, and the parts bond with each other via an interface. Each of the hard particle portions has a non-spherical shape. A sliding member includes the laminate in at least one sliding portion. A method for manufacturing a laminate includes a step of spraying a mixture in a non-molten state including precipitation-hardening copper alloy particles and hard particles having a non-spherical shape and being harder than the copper alloy particles onto a base substrate, to form a coating layer on the base substrate.

A laminate includes a base substrate, and a coating layer formed on the base substrate. The coating layer includes a copper alloy portions derived from precipitation-hardening copper alloy particles and hard particle portions which are harder than the copper alloy portions, the hard particle portions are derived from hard particles, and the parts bond with each other via an interface. Each of the hard particle portions has a non-spherical shape. A sliding member includes the laminate in at least one sliding portion. A method for manufacturing a laminate includes a step of spraying a mixture in a non-molten state including precipitation-hardening copper alloy particles and hard particles having a non-spherical shape and being harder than the copper alloy particles onto a base substrate, to form a coating layer on the base substrate.

A thermoelectric conversion element includes an element body formed of a thermoelectric conversion material of a silicide-based compound, and electrodes each formed on one surface of the element body and the other surface opposite the one surface. The electrodes are formed of a sintered body of a copper silicide, and the electrodes and the element body are directly joined.

A thermoelectric conversion element includes an element body formed of a thermoelectric conversion material of a silicide-based compound, and electrodes each formed on one surface of the element body and the other surface opposite the one surface. The electrodes are formed of a sintered body of a copper silicide, and the electrodes and the element body are directly joined.

A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including gold (Au) and at least one other secondary atom, the at least one other secondary atom selected from: boron (B), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), manganese (Mn), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O), and combinations thereof; erbium (Er), holmium (Ho), lutetium (Lu), praseodymium (Pr), scandium (Sc), uranium (U), zinc (Zn), and combinations thereof; and barium (Ba), chlorine (Cl), cesium (Cs), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu), fluorine (F), gadolinium (Gd), germanium (Ge), hydrogen (H), iodine (I), osmium (Os), phosphorus (P), rubidium (Rb), rhenium (Re), selenium (Se), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), thallium (Th), and combinations thereof.

A method of forming a composite component having a brass or bronze powder metal portion sinter fit into a supporting, ferrous portion.