This invention relates to metal composites and to metal-alloy composites. Metal-alloy composites of this invention comprise a metal alloy and layered inorganic nanostructures or nanoparticles such as nanotubes, nanoscrolls, spherical or quasi-spherical nanoparticles, nano-platelets or combinations thereof. Methods of producing the metal composites and the metal-alloy composites are demonstrated. The layered inorganic nanostructure serves as a strengthening phase. The layered inorganic nanostructure provides reinforcement to the metal alloy.

A metal composite comprises: a matrix comprising periodic metal springs; and a filler material comprising one or more of the following: a carbon composite; a polymer; a metal; graphite; cotton; asbestos; or glass fiber; wherein the filler material is bounded to the matrix via one or more of the following: a mechanical interlocking; a chemical bond; a solid solution; or an active layer disposed between the periodic metal springs and the filler material.

A front electrode for a solar cell includes a substrate, a first conductive layer on the substrate, and a second conductive layer on the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is formed of a composition including silver powder as a first metal powder; and at least one of tin powder, lead powder, and bismuth powder as a second metal powder. The second metal powder is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in an unbaked state of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

The present invention provides methods to sputter deposit films comprising alkali metal compounds. At least one target comprising one or more alkali metal compounds and at least one metallic component is sputtered to form one or more corresponding sputtered films. The at least one target has an atomic ratio of the alkali metal compound to the at least one metallic component in the range from 15:85 to 85:15. The sputtered film(s) incorporating such alkali metal compounds are incorporated into a precursor structure also comprising one or more chalcogenide precursor films. The precursor structure is heated in the presence of at least one chalcogen to form a chalcogenide semiconductor. The resultant chalcogenide semiconductor comprises up to 2 atomic percent of alkali metal content, wherein at least a major portion of the alkali metal content of the resultant chalcogenide semiconductor is derived from the sputtered film(s) incorporating the alkali metal compound(s). The chalcogenide semiconductors are useful in microelectronic devices, including solar cells.

A method to form a metal matrix composite reinforced with eggshell (ES). The method includes preparing an ES powder, blending and milling the ES powder with at least one metal powder selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg), zirconium (Zr) to form a powder mixture, compacting and sintering the powder mixture to form the metal matrix composite. In addition, a MgZr-ES metal matrix composite with improved corrosion resistance, having an amount of magnesium from 95 to 97 wt. %, an amount of zirconium from 1 to 2 wt. %, and an amount of ES from 1 to 4 wt. %, may be used for biomedical applications.

The shaped composites of the present disclosure have metal powder bonded with glass powder. This feature provides the advantages of metal, metal powder, or glass composite materials, without suffering from the disadvantages. The composite is prepared with simple sintering methods, and can easily be formed into any number of desired shapes with dimensional characteristics and ingredients suited to a particular application.

A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (M.sub.PC) of a product metal (M.sub.P) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidized reductant (R.sub.0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidized reductant (R.sub.0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the metal compound (M.sub.PC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (M.sub.PC) of the product metal (M.sub.P) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are composite materials, methods, tools and abrasive materials comprising a tungsten-based metal composition and an alloy. In some cases, the composite materials or material are resistant to oxidation.

Described is a golf club with an outer surface comprising a low-friction ceramic material with suitable thickness and configuration. In one aspect, at least the striking surface and/or sole of a golf-club head is made of a low-friction material including at least one of: titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium oxynitride, titanium carbide, titanium aluminum nitride, aluminum titanium nitride, titanium silicon nitride, titanium niobium nitride, titanium zirconium nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, zirconium nitride, chromium nitride, chromium carbonitride, chromium aluminum nitride, aluminum chromium nitride, titanium aluminum silicon nitride, and one or more combinations thereof.

The present disclosure is related to methods of manufacturing a hierarchical composite wear component comprising a reinforced part, said reinforced part comprising a reinforcement of a triply periodic minimal surface ceramic lattice structure, said structure comprising multiple cell units, said cell units comprising voids and micro-porous ceramic cell walls, the micro-pores of the cell walls comprising a sinter metal or a cast metal, the ceramic lattice structure being embedded in a bi-continuous structure with a cast metal matrix.