TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Components: If 1st nonprecious metal element is iron (Fe), 2nd nonprecious metal element is niobium (Nb), tungsten (W), or tantalum (Ta), where Nb or Ta concentration on the surface of the nonprecious metal alloy is greater than or equal to 75 mol%, or W concentration is greater than or equal to 85 mol%. If 1st nonprecious metal element is cobalt (Co), 2nd nonprecious metal element is titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), Nb, Ta, chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), or W, where Ti concentration on the surface of the nonprecious metal alloy is greater than or equal to 20 mol%, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, or Ta concentration is greater than or equal to 5 mol%, Zr concentration is greater than or equal to 40 mol%, or W concentration is 5-80 mol%. If 1st nonprecious metal element is nickel (Ni), 2nd nonprecious metal element is Ti, Zr, hafnium (Hf), V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo or W, where Ti, Hf, or Zr concentration on the surface of the nonprecious metal alloy is less than or equal to 30 mol%, Nb, Mo, W, or Ta concentration is less than or equal to 40 mol%, V concentration is less than or equal to 45 mol%, or Cr concentration is less than or equal to 50 mol%. If 1st nonprecious metal element is Co, 2nd nonprecious metal element is Ti, V, Cr, Mo, Nb, W, or Ta, where Ti concentration on the surface of the nonprecious metal alloy is greater than or equal to 70 mol%, V, Nb, or Ta concentration is greater than or equal to 50 mol%, Mo or W concentration is 30-70 mol%, or Cr concentration is greater than or equal to 60 mol%. If 1st nonprecious metal element is Ni, 2nd nonprecious metal element is Ti, Hf, Zr, V, Cr, Mo, Nb, W, or Ta, where Ti, Hf, or Zr concentration on the surface of the nonprecious metal alloy is 10-25 mol%, Nb, Mo, W, or Ta concentration is 15-30 mol%, or V or Cr concentration is 20-40 mol%. Preferred Parameters: The Epsilon d of the 1st nonprecious metal element is -1.6 to -1.35 eV. Specific surface area is greater than or equal to 10 ( greater than or equal to 30) m2/g.