Nanoparticles of calcium hydroxide having a dumbbell shape, wherein the dumbbell shape has rounded ends separated by a narrow central portion, wherein a ratio of a largest width of the central portion to a largest width of the rounded ends is 0.30 to 0.75, a length is in the range of 500 nm to 1100 nm, the largest width of the narrow central portion is 100 to 250 nm, and the largest width of the narrow central portion is 100 to 250 nm. The nanoparticles have a mesoporous structure and are made up of subparticles that have a size of 5 to 75 nm. A method of making the nanoparticles from calcined calcium carbonate sources is disclosed. Also disclosed is an enhanced fuel containing the nanoparticles.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS.sub.2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.

Provided is a novel solid electrolyte material of high density and high ionic conductivity, and an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery that utilizes the solid electrolyte material. The solid electrolyte material has a chemical composition represented by Li.sub.7-3xGa.sub.xLa.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12 (0.08≤x<0.5), has a relative density of 99% or higher, belongs to space group I-43d, in the cubic system, and has a garnet-type structure. The lithium ion conductivity of the solid electrolyte material is 2.0×10.sup.−3 S/cm or higher. The solid electrolyte material has a lattice constant a such that 1.29 nm≤a≤1.30 nm, and lithium ions occupy the 12a site, the 12b site and two types of 48e site, and gallium occupies the 12a site and the 12b site, in the crystal structure. The all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is made up of the solid electrolyte material of the present invention.

Provided are a method for producing boehmite nanoparticles and an apparatus for producing the same, and more particularly, a method for producing boehmite nanoparticles and an apparatus for producing the same, which allow continuous production of nano-sized boehmite nanoparticles in a uniform size. The method for producing boehmite nanoparticles includes (S1) supplying a mixture including an aluminum hydroxide and an organic acid to a reaction unit; and (S2) heating and pressurizing the mixture supplied to the reaction unit simultaneously and sequentially.

Provided axe porous titanate compound particles capable of giving excellent fade resistance when used in a friction material, a resin compound and a friction material each containing the porous titanate compound particles, and a method for producing the porous titanate compound particles. Porous titanate compound particles are each formed of titanate compound crystal grains bonded together and have a cumulative pore volume of 5% or more within a pore diameter range of 0.01 to 1.0 μm.

Titanium dioxide and an electro-conductive titanium oxide which each includes particles having a large major-axis length in a large proportion and comprises columnar particles having a satisfactory particle size distribution. A titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are heated/fired in the presence of titanium dioxide nucleus crystals having an aspect ratio of 2 or higher to grow the titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Subsequently, a titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are further added and heated/fired in the presence of the grown titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Thus, titanium dioxide is produced which comprises columnar particles having a weight-average major-axis length of 7.0-15.0 μm and in which particles having a major-axis length of 10 μm or longer account for 15 wt. % or more of all the particles. A solution of a tin compound and a solution of compounds of antimony, phosphorus, etc. are added to a suspension obtained by suspending the titanium dioxide. The particles are sedimented. Subsequently, the product obtained is heated/fired to produce an electro-conductive titanium oxide which comprises the titanium dioxide and an electro-conductive coating formed on the surface thereof.

Provided is a potassium titanate powder that can avoid safety and health concerns and concurrently, during use in a friction material, can give excellent frictional properties. A potassium titanate powder is a powder formed of bar-like potassium titanate particles having an average length of 30 μm or more, an average breadth of 10 m or more, and an average aspect ratio of 1.5 or more, wherein the bar-like potassium titanate particles are represented by a composition formula K.sub.2Ti.sub.nO.sub.2n+1 (where n=5.5 to 6.5).

Provided is a potassium titanate powder that can avoid safety and health concerns and concurrently, during use in a friction material, can give excellent frictional properties. A potassium titanate powder is a powder formed of bar-like potassium titanate particles having an average length of 30 μm or more, an average breadth of 10 μm or more, and an average aspect ratio of 1.5 or more, wherein the bar-like potassium titanate particles are represented by a composition formula K.sub.2Ti.sub.nO.sub.2n+1 (where n=5.5 to 6.5).

A titania-carbon-sulfur composite including a titania-carbon composite prepared by mixing cylindrical carbon materials and titania (TiO.sub.2-x), in which some oxygen is reduced (i.e., x is less than 2), to have a structure in which cylindrical carbon materials are entangled and interconnected in three dimensions; and sulfur introduced into at least a part of the external surface and inside of the titania-carbon (TiO.sub.2—C) composite, and a method for preparing the same.

The present invention is related to a polycrystalline silicon rod manufactured with a Siemens method. The polycrystalline silicon rod having a length of 1 m or more in a longitudinal direction. An absolute value of a difference between compressive stress and tensile stress in residual stress in the longitudinal direction on a circumferential surface of the polycrystalline silicon rod is 22 MPa or less.