A negative electrode active material having high cycle durability contains an alloy represented by the following chemical formula (1):

Si.sub.xSn.sub.yM.sub.zA.sub.a(1)

wherein M is Zn, A is unavoidable impurities, x, y, z, and a represent % by mass values, and in that case, 0<x<100, 0<y<100, 0<z<100, 0a<0.5, and x+y+z+a=100, in which the half width of the diffraction peak of the (111) surface of Si in the range of 2=24 to 33 by X ray diffraction measurement of the alloy using CuK ray is 0.7 or more, and the x is more than 23 and less than 64, the y is 4 or more and less than 34, and the z is more than 0 and less than 65.

A sintered bearing exhibits less of a hard iron alloy phase, and has an excellent wear resistance and cost performance under low-revolution and high-load use conditions; and a method for producing such a sintered bearing. The sintered bearing contains Cu: 10 to 55% by mass, Sn: 0.5 to 7% by mass, Zn: 0 to 4% by mass, P: 0 to 0.6% by mass, C: 0.5 to 4.5% by mass and a remainder composed of Fe and inevitable impurities. An area ratio of a free graphite dispersed in a metal matrix of the bearing is 5 to 35%; a porosity thereof is 16 to 25%; a hardness of an iron alloy phase in the matrix is Hv 65 to 200; and raw material powders employ at least one of a crystalline graphite powder and a flake graphite powder each having an average particle size of 10 to 100 m.

A thermoelectric article and process for producing a thermoelectric article for a thermoelectric conversion device is provided. The thermoelectric article has an overall composition consisting essentially of 6 atom %Ti27 atom %, 6 atom %Zr27 atom %, 0 atom %Hf1.7 atom %, where 28 atom %(Ti+Zr+Hf)38 atom %;

28 atom %Sn38 atom %, 0 atom %Sb3 atom %, where 28 atom %(Sn+Sb)38 atom %; 0 atom %A7 atom %, 0 atom %B7 atom %, where A is Sc, Y and/or La, B is V, Nb and/or Ta and 0.15 atom %A+B7 atom %; the rest being Ni and up to 5 atom % impurities.

A thermoelectric article and process for producing a thermoelectric article for a thermoelectric conversion device is provided. The thermoelectric article has an overall composition consisting essentially of 6 atom %Ti27 atom %, 6 atom %Zr27 atom %, 0 atom %Hf1.7 atom %, where 28 atom %(Ti+Zr+Hf)38 atom %;

28 atom %Sn38 atom %, 0 atom %Sb3 atom %, where 28 atom %(Sn+Sb)38 atom %; 0 atom %A7 atom %, 0 atom %B7 atom %, where A is Sc, Y and/or La, B is V, Nb and/or Ta and 0.15 atom %A+B7 atom %; the rest being Ni and up to 5 atom % impurities.

A rare earth permanent magnetic material contains a main phase of R1.sub.x1R2.sub.y1Fe.sub.1-x1-y1-z1-u1Co.sub.z1B.sub.u1, and an auxiliary phase including a first auxiliary phase of R3.sub.x2R4.sub.y2Fe.sub.1-x2-y2-z2-u2-v1Co.sub.z2B.sub.u2M.sub.v1 and a second auxiliary of R5.sub.x3R6.sub.y3Fe.sub.1-x3-y3-z3-u3-v2Co.sub.z3B.sub.u3M.sub.v2. Each of R1, R3 and R5 is Pr and/or Nd. Each of R2, R4 and R6 is at least one of Dy, Tb and Ho. M is at least one of Zr, Ga, Cu, Nb, Sn, Mo, Al, V, W, Si, Hf, Ti, Zn, Bi, Ta and In. 26 wt %x1+y134 wt %, 0.01 wt %y14 wt %, 0z16 wt %, and 0.78 wt %u11.25 wt %. 35 wt %x2+y282 wt %, 5 wt %y242 wt %, 0z240 wt %, 0u21.25 wt %, and 0v110 wt %. 10 wt %x3+y332 wt %, 0y34.8 wt %, 0z340 wt %, 0u31.25 wt %, and 31 wt %v250 wt %.

A rare earth permanent magnetic material contains a main phase of R1.sub.x1R2.sub.y1Fe.sub.1-x1-y1-z1-u1Co.sub.z1B.sub.u1, and an auxiliary phase including a first auxiliary phase of R3.sub.x2R4.sub.y2Fe.sub.1-x2-y2-z2-u2-v1Co.sub.z2B.sub.u2M.sub.v1 and a second auxiliary of R5.sub.x3R6.sub.y3Fe.sub.1-x3-y3-z3-u3-v2Co.sub.z3B.sub.u3M.sub.v2. Each of R1, R3 and R5 is Pr and/or Nd. Each of R2, R4 and R6 is at least one of Dy, Tb and Ho. M is at least one of Zr, Ga, Cu, Nb, Sn, Mo, Al, V, W, Si, Hf, Ti, Zn, Bi, Ta and In. 26 wt %x1+y134 wt %, 0.01 wt %y14 wt %, 0z16 wt %, and 0.78 wt %u11.25 wt %. 35 wt %x2+y282 wt %, 5 wt %y242 wt %, 0z240 wt %, 0u21.25 wt %, and 0v110 wt %. 10 wt %x3+y332 wt %, 0y34.8 wt %, 0z340 wt %, 0u31.25 wt %, and 31 wt %v250 wt %.

An alloy includes lithium, silicon and tin. An anode may be formed of an anode material containing the alloy of lithium, silicon and tin. The anode material may include an electrolyte. The anode material may be a pressed powder pellet that is solid at ambient temperature. A battery, for example, a thermal battery, can contain an electrolyte-separator, a cathode, and/or an anode with the alloy of lithium, tin and silicon. The anode formed of the alloy consisting of lithium, tin and silicon can have a melting point from about 500 C. to about 600 C. or higher making it suitable for use in a thermal battery.

A solder material for use in electronic assembly, the solder material comprising: solder layers; and a core layer comprising a core material, the core layer being sandwiched between the solder layers, wherein: the thermal conductivity of the core material is greater than the thermal conductivity of the solder.

This invention consists of a device for the treatment and elimination of bacteria in combustible hydrocarbons, whose function is to ensure the purity of said fuels. The elimination of bacteria takes place catalytically thanks to the alloy of which its inner part is composed and the interaction with the casing containing it. This device has the advantage of having a more intense effect of eliminating microbiological contamination than other technologies. It is installed inside the fuel tanks. Its design allows that its presence in the tank does not cause damage to the components that may be inside it.

This invention consists of a device for the treatment and elimination of bacteria in combustible hydrocarbons, whose function is to ensure the purity of said fuels. The elimination of bacteria takes place catalytically thanks to the alloy of which its inner part is composed and the interaction with the casing containing it. This device has the advantage of having a more intense effect of eliminating microbiological contamination than other technologies. It is installed inside the fuel tanks. Its design allows that its presence in the tank does not cause damage to the components that may be inside it.