The crystal structure of NbSe3 has been refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. It has a monoclinic symmetry with lattice parameters: a=10.009 AA, b=3.4805 AA, c=15.629 AA, beta =109.47 AA, space group P21/m and six formulae per unit cell. The crystal structure of NbSe3 as determined at 100K shows that the 145K transition in the electrical resistivity is not accompanied by a structural distortion. Except for the decrease due to thermal contraction all interatomic distances are found to be the same. This is compatible with the proposed model of the charge-density-waves formation which has been put forward in order to explain the physical properties of the 145K transition. Electron diffraction pictures taken above and below the transition give direct evidence of the charge-density-waves formation at the transition. At 120K in agreement with Tsutsumi et al. (1977) the pictures contain superstructure spots at the (h,k+or-0.243, l) positions. Contrary to what has been reported by the same authors, the authors have found that at 3K above the transition the electron diffraction pictures do not contain the diffuse scattering streaks corresponding to the planes at k'=k+or-0.243, which would indicate fluctuations of the CDW above the transition.

The microstructure and critical currents of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-Y2BaCuO5 composites with small CeO2 additions prepared using a directional solidification procedure have been investigated. The small CeO2 additions cause the decomposition of the Y2BaCuO5 phase leading to the formation of Y2O3 and BaCeO3. Experimental evidence is given for the subsequent nucleation of the Y2BaCuO5 phase on the Y2O3 particles. This new decomposition-nucleation mechanism leads to textured YBa2Cu3O7 having enhanced critical currents. An addition of 0.3 wt % CeO2 can increase Jabc by a factor of 2 in samples having similar concentration of Y2BaCuO5 precipitates. Critical currents above 105 A/cm2 at 77 K and zero field are obtained by this method.

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