NOVELTY - Device comprises a thin film (1212) or laminate structure containing at least one hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy sulfate compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy tungstate compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy borate compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy phosphate compound, and/or hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy silicate compound.    USE - As a device selected from metal and metal/ceramic-based thermal protection systems, organic-based displays and electronics, solar cells, high emissivity coatings, interface coatings for oxide-based ceramic matrix systems, protective coatings on phosphors, environmental barrier coatings for metal- and ceramic-based systems, fibers for composites and fiber lasers, corrosion protection in molten metal processing, monolithic materials for thermal insulation, catalyst supports (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The method avoids using organic materials in solution deposition required for metal-organic deposition techniques, thus avoids organic burnout and the cracking problems associated with burnout.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Device comprises a thin film (1212) or laminate structure containing at least one hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy sulfate (MO2-x-z/2(OH)z(SO4)x) compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy tungstate (MO2-x-z/2(OH)z(WO4)x) compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy borate (MO2-3x/2-z/2(OH)z(BO3)x) compound, hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy phosphate (MO2-3x/2-z/2(OH)z(PO4)x) compound, and/or hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy silicate (MO2-2x-z/2(OH)z(SiO4)x) compound, where M is hafnium or zirconium, x is 0.1-3.5/(polyatomic ion charge), and z is 0-3.8. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for following:    (1) making a device involving providing a thin film or laminate structure, where the structure containing substrate and at least one layers deposited onto the substrate; and exposing the structure to an energy source;    (2) making a device having a corrosion barrier involving providing a device; forming at least one corrosion barrier on the device containing metal oxide layer; and exposing the compound to an energy source to form the corrosion barrier;    (3) forming fibers involving providing a composition; forming a solution containing the compound; drawing the solution into fibers; and converting the fibers into solid, stable fibers; and    (4) making a metal oxide film involving: making a solution comprising dissolving at least one soluble salts consisting essentially of a metal cation and at least one anions in a non-complexing, non-aqueous polar solvent; raising the pH of the solution by adding a basic aqueous solution, adding a small amount of a soluble basic oxide, adding a gaseous compound capable of forming a basic aqueous solution, adding an electropositive metal which may consume protons and is incorporated into the film, adding an aqueous or gaseous oxidizing agent which consumes protons and/or decomposes counter ions but is not incorporated into the film; producing a solid by evaporating the non-aqueous solvent; dissolving the solid in water; depositing the dissolved solid onto a substrate to form a patterned or blanket liquid film; and thermally curing the film; or providing a thin film or laminate structure; removing the acid anion by ion exchange with an aqueous basic solution, the basic solution comprising a group (I) metal hydroxide, soluble group (II) metal hydroxide, soluble group (III) metal hydroxide, soluble lanthanide hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and/or aqueous tertiary amine; and exposing the structure to an energy source, the energy source comprising a thermal energy source, a microwave energy source, a light source, or a laser.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows bilayer process for producing patterned oxide on substrate.    Substrate (1210)    Thin film (1212)    Oxide precursor (1214)    Product (1216)    Pattern (1218)