Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture related to composite materials are discussed herein. These materials can be based on a mixture of diamond particles with a matrix and fibers or fabrics. The matrix can be formed into the composite material through optional pressurization and via heat treatment. These materials display exceptionally low friction coefficient and superior wear resistance in extreme environments.

A method of fine surface finishing a cladding tube for a nuclear fuel element comprising a cladding tube containing fuel pellets, comprises heating the tube to thermal creep temperatures (e.g., 1750-2000 degrees Celsius) for sapphire and forming inner and outer surfaces of the tube to reduce ridge heights while limiting changes in the crystalline structure of the bulk of the tube. Alternatively, the tube may be placed in a mould and heating the tube-mould assembly to the range of the creep temperature of the sapphire at which differential thermal expansion of the mould and tube cause pressure at an interface between the sapphire and the mould. Maintaining the assembly at an upper end of the creep temperature range allows creep to progress and relieve stresses resulting from the pressure; and cooling the assembly to allow the sapphire tube to part from the mould and be withdrawn.

A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes a step of depositing one of an amorphous layer of ZnTe and a multilayer stack of Zn and Te adjacent a semiconductor layer. The one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack is then subjected to an energy impulse at a temperature equal to or greater than its critical temperature. The energy impulse results in an explosive crystallization to form a polycrystalline layer of ZnTe from the one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack.

A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes a step of depositing one of an amorphous layer of ZnTe and a multilayer stack of Zn and Te adjacent a semiconductor layer. The one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack is then subjected to an energy impulse at a temperature equal to or greater than its critical temperature. The energy impulse results in an explosive crystallization to form a polycrystalline layer of ZnTe from the one of the amorphous layer and the multilayer stack.

A method for manufacturing cathode active material includes providing a polycrystalline transition metal precursor; providing a lithium salt composition including a first lithium salt and a second lithium salt having a eutectic melting temperature; creating a first mixture including the polycrystalline transition metal precursor and the lithium salt composition; mixing the first mixture in a mixer to generate inter-frictional force to heat the lithium salt composition above the eutectic melting temperature and to generate a second mixture; and sintering the second mixture to form a spinel-coated single-crystal cathode active material.

A method for manufacturing cathode active material includes providing a polycrystalline transition metal precursor; providing a lithium salt composition including a first lithium salt and a second lithium salt having a eutectic melting temperature; creating a first mixture including the polycrystalline transition metal precursor and the lithium salt composition; mixing the first mixture in a mixer to generate inter-frictional force to heat the lithium salt composition above the eutectic melting temperature and to generate a second mixture; and sintering the second mixture to form a spinel-coated single-crystal cathode active material.

Polytriacetylene, a unique conjugated polymer with all-carbon main-chains consisting of alternating double bonds and diacetylene units, can self-assemble into ordered structures under moderate pressures, driven by side-chain crystallization. At higher pressure, the polymer undergoes topochemical cross-linking reactions, resulting in insoluble materials with graphyne-like structural and property characteristics.

Polytriacetylene, a unique conjugated polymer with all-carbon main-chains consisting of alternating double bonds and diacetylene units, can self-assemble into ordered structures under moderate pressures, driven by side-chain crystallization. At higher pressure, the polymer undergoes topochemical cross-linking reactions, resulting in insoluble materials with graphyne-like structural and property characteristics.

The present invention relates to solvothermal vapor synthesis methods for the crystallization of a phase from a mixture of selected inorganic or organic precursors in an unsaturated vapor-phase reaction medium.

The present invention relates to solvothermal vapor synthesis methods for the crystallization of a phase from a mixture of selected inorganic or organic precursors in an unsaturated vapor-phase reaction medium.