Bombardment of californium 252 by neutrons is described as a route to synthesising nobelium: Separation Of Californium From Other Actinides (1973).
Nobelium is mentioned, in a list of other metals, in a patent application as being a component of a welding material and a method of preparing the material: Welding material containing tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, nickel, nobelium and constantan and preparation method thereof (2017).
Niobium is mentioned, as one of the actinides, in the description of a patent application relating to a dielectric discharge device: Dielectric Body And Discharge Panel (1975).
Niobium is mentioned again (together with all of the other lanthanides and actinides) as a chelated metal ion for use in liquid crystal displays: Displaying Of Information (1974).
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All patent information has been obtained from Espacenet (European Patent Office).