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The pyrochlore ruthenates Ln 2− x Bi x Ru 2 O 7 (Ln=Nd and Yb, x =1 and 0.6) have been synthesized and their thermoelectric properties have been studied from room temperature to 1000 K. These samples show the metallic-like resistivity ( ρ )–temperature ( T ) behaviors (except Yb 2− x Bi x Ru 2 O 7 ) and their ρ increases with the x values, while their Seebeck coefficients ( S ) are not sensitive to the x values. Although the S of the Nd-system samples is almost the same as that of the Yb-system ones, the ρ of the former is less than that of the latter. It indicates that the Nd-system samples have higher thermoelectric power factors than Yb-system ones. The ρ , S and power factor of NdBiRu 2 O 7 at 1000 K is 1.5 mΩ cm, 35 μV/K and 0.8×10 −4 W/mK 2 , respectively.

Fibrous, multilayered and hybrid Al2O3 laminates were fabricated by extrusion and hot-pressing techniques. The effects of different architectures on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior are investigated. It is shown that hybrid laminates may provide a considerable flexibility and tailorability in mechanical behavior. An alternative arrangement of the fibrous and monolithic layers in hybrid laminates gives an average strength of up to 450 MPa, an apparent toughness of ∼11 MPa m1/2 and a fracture energy in excess of 2600 J/m2, with a non-catastrophic fracture behavior.