In various embodiments, superconducting wires feature assemblies of clad composite filaments and/or stabilized composite filaments embedded within a wire matrix. The wires may include one or more stabilizing elements for improved mechanical properties.

In various embodiments, superconducting wires feature assemblies of clad composite filaments and/or stabilized composite filaments embedded within a wire matrix. The wires may include one or more stabilizing elements for improved mechanical properties.

Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

A Ta-Nb alloy powder which has provides a capacitor having a higher capacitance than a Ta capacitor and a better thermal stability in terms of an oxide film is better than a Nb capacitor, the Ta-Nb alloy powder being a Ta-Nb alloy powder produced by a thermal CVD method, wherein a content of Nb is 1 to 50 mass %, and an average particle diameter of primary particles is 30 to 200 nm, preferably, a CV value per unit mass of the powder (μF.Math.V/g) is 250 kμF.Math.V/g or more, or further, a CV value per unit volume (μF.Math.V/mm.sup.3) in terms of a molded body whose molding density ρ (g/cm.sup.3) is ρ.sub.c (g/cm.sup.3)=−0.012R.sub.Nb+3.57, wherein R.sub.Nb: Nb content (mass %) in an alloy, is 900 μF.Math.V/mm.sup.3 or more, and an anode element for a solid electrolytic capacitor using the alloy powder.

A Ta-Nb alloy powder which has provides a capacitor having a higher capacitance than a Ta capacitor and a better thermal stability in terms of an oxide film is better than a Nb capacitor, the Ta-Nb alloy powder being a Ta-Nb alloy powder produced by a thermal CVD method, wherein a content of Nb is 1 to 50 mass %, and an average particle diameter of primary particles is 30 to 200 nm, preferably, a CV value per unit mass of the powder (μF.Math.V/g) is 250 kμF.Math.V/g or more, or further, a CV value per unit volume (μF.Math.V/mm.sup.3) in terms of a molded body whose molding density ρ (g/cm.sup.3) is ρ.sub.c (g/cm.sup.3)=−0.012R.sub.Nb+3.57, wherein R.sub.Nb: Nb content (mass %) in an alloy, is 900 μF.Math.V/mm.sup.3 or more, and an anode element for a solid electrolytic capacitor using the alloy powder.

There is provided a medical instrument achieving a simple and efficient configuration. The medical instrument includes: an elongated part formed in a linear or tubular shape, at least a part of which is inserted into a living body; and an alloy part provided in the elongated part and formed from an alloy containing titanium and tantalum.

A method of forming a metal alloy. The method comprises forming a metal oxide precursor and conducting cathodic polarization of the metal oxide precursor in a molten salt electrolyte to form a metal alloy. In an additional method, a metal oxide precursor is formed. The metal oxide precursor is reduced to a metal in an electrochemical cell that comprises a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte. The metal is reacted with a metal of the working electrode to form a metal alloy. In another method, a metal oxide precursor is formed on a base material. The base material is introduced into a molten salt electrolyte of an electrochemical cell and the metal oxide precursor is reduced to a metal in the electrochemical cell. The metal is reacted with the base material to form a metal alloy on the base material.

A method of forming a metal alloy. The method comprises forming a metal oxide precursor and conducting cathodic polarization of the metal oxide precursor in a molten salt electrolyte to form a metal alloy. In an additional method, a metal oxide precursor is formed. The metal oxide precursor is reduced to a metal in an electrochemical cell that comprises a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte. The metal is reacted with a metal of the working electrode to form a metal alloy. In another method, a metal oxide precursor is formed on a base material. The base material is introduced into a molten salt electrolyte of an electrochemical cell and the metal oxide precursor is reduced to a metal in the electrochemical cell. The metal is reacted with the base material to form a metal alloy on the base material.

A joint prosthesis system is suitable for cementless fixation. The system has two metal implant components and a bearing. One of the metal implant components has an articulation surface for articulation with the bearing. The other metal implant component has a mounting surface for supporting the bearing. One of the metal implant components includes a solid metal portion and a porous metal portion. The porous metal portion has surfaces with different characteristics, such as roughness, to improve bone fixation, ease removal of the implant component in a revision surgery, reduce soft tissue irritation, improve the strength of a sintered bond between the solid and porous metal portions, or reduce or eliminate the possibility of blood traveling through the porous metal portion into the joint space. A method of making the joint prosthesis is also disclosed. The invention may also be applied to discrete porous metal implant components, such as augment.