Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal nitride based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal nitride based composites are also provided.

Preparing MAX phase structures includes forming a gel including a transition metal M, a Group 3A or Group 4A metal or semimetal A, and an acidic chelating agent or gelling agent X. X includes one or both of carbon and nitrogen. Preparing the MAX phase structures further includes shaping the gel to yield a shaped gel and heating the shaped gel to yield carbonaceous MAX phase structures with a composition represented by M.sub.n+1AX.sub.n, wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4. The MAX phase structures can be thick films, microspheres, or microwires.

A steel processing line includes a dip tub and a stab roll. The dip tub is filled with a quantity of molten metal. At least a portion of the stab roll is submerged in the quantity of molten metal. The stab roll includes two journals. Each journal is received by an opening defined by a roller sleeve including a ceramic or refractory material. The roller sleeve is disposed between each journal and a bearing block. An inner dimension of each roller sleeve and an outer dimension of each respective journal defines a clearance. The inner dimension of each roller sleeve and the outer dimension of each respective journal is configured such that the clearance persists as the stab roll and the pair of roller sleeves are heated by the molten metal. Alternatively, inserts are fastened to an outer surface of each journal in lieu of the roller sleeves.

It is an object to provide a ferroelectric thin film having much higher ferroelectric properties than conventional Sc-doped ferroelectric thin film constituted by aluminum nitride and also having stability when applied to practical use, and also to provide an electronic device using the same.

There are provided a ferroelectric thin film represented by a chemical formula M1.sub.1-XM2.sub.XN, wherein M1 is at least one element selected from Al and Ga, M2 is at least one element selected from Mg, Sc, Yb, and Nb, and X is within a range of 0 or more and 1 or less, and also an electronic device using the same.

In a general aspect, a ceramic thin film with nanotwinned regions at a tunable volume fraction is manufactured. In some aspects, a method for manufacturing a ceramic thin film on a surface of a substrate in an evacuated chamber is disclosed. The ceramic thin film includes crystalline grains; and each of the crystalline grains includes one or more nanotwinned regions. The one or more nanotwinned regions have a volume fraction in a range of 30-80% of the ceramic thin film. The ceramic thin film comprises titanium, nitrogen, and boron. A plurality of targets including a plurality of sputtering materials is prepared. A gas atmosphere in the evacuated chamber is formed. Electric power is supplied to the plurality of targets to cause co-sputtering of the plurality of sputtering materials to form the ceramic thin film with the one or more nanotwinned regions.

Phosphors include a CaAlSiN.sub.3 family crystal phase, wherein the CaAlSiN.sub.3 family crystal phase comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb.

Proposed are a layered Group III-V compound having ferroelectric properties, a Group III-V compound nanosheet that may be prepared using the same, and an electrical device including the materials. Proposed is a layered compound represented by [Formula 1] M.sub.x−mA.sub.yB.sub.z (M is at least one of Group I or Group II elements, A is at least one of Group III elements, B is at least one of Group V elements, x, y, and z are positive numbers which are determined according to stoichiometric ratios to ensure charge balance when m is 0, and 0<m<x), and having ferroelectric-like properties.

The invention relates to a method for producing a non-oxide ceramic powder comprising a nitride, a carbide, a boride or at least one MAX phase with the general composition Mn+1AXn, where M=at least one element from the group of transition elements (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf and Ta), A=at least one A group element from the group (Si, Al, Ga, Ge, As, Cd, In, Sn, Tl and Pb), X=carbon (C) and/or nitrogen (N) and/or boron (B), and n=1, 2 or 3. According to the invention, corresponding quantities of elementary starting materials or other precursors are mixed with at least one metal halide salt (NZ), compressed (pellet), and heated for synthesis with a metal halide salt (NZ). The compressed pellet is first enveloped with another metal halide salt, compressed again, arranged in a salt bath and heated therewith until the melting temperature of the salt is exceeded. Optionally, melted silicate can be added, which prevents the salt from evaporating at high temperatures. Advantageously, the method can be carried out in the presence of air.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of inorganic luminescent materials, particularly relates to a nitride fluorescent material, and further discloses a light-emitting device containing such a fluorescent material. The nitride fluorescent material contains a compound with a structure like M.sub.mAl.sub.xSi.sub.yN.sub.3: aR, bEu, cCe. The fluorescent material has very high physical stability and chemical stability, and the fluorescent material is better in crystallization, and thus has relatively high external quantum efficiency. When being applied to a light-emitting device, the fluorescent material can fully exert the advantages of good stability and high external quantum efficiency, and the light-emitting efficiency and stability of the light-emitting device can be further improved.

A cutting tool includes: a substrate; a hard layer provided on the substrate; and a titanium carbonitride layer provided on the hard layer, wherein a thickness of the titanium carbonitride layer is more than or equal to 2 μm, a hardness of the titanium carbonitride layer at a room temperature is more than or equal to 35 GPa, and a Young's modulus of the titanium carbonitride layer at the room temperature is less than or equal to 650 GPa.