Abstract: An example of a nanoballoon thermal protection system includes a refractory ceramic foam having carbide balloons. The foam has a closed cell structure not allowing liquid to penetrate through the foam. Each of the carbide balloons is hollow and has a diameter greater than 0 nm and less than 900 nm. Each of the carbide balloons includes a refractory carbide. In addition, a vehicle with thermal shield includes a surface and a first and second nanoballoon closed cell foam coatings. Each of the foam coatings has a melting point temperature greater than 1000° C. and a density less than 85%. Each of the foam coatings has hollow balloons having a diameter less than 900 nm. Each of the foam coatings includes a closed cell structure not allowing liquid to penetrate through the respective coating. Methods for manufacturing a nanoballoon system and a nanoballoon thermal protection system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refractory ceramic material possessing a solidus temperature between 2500° C. and 2800° C., having a compactness greater than 85%, and a microstructure such that the material is composite of: (a) hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a monoclinic structure (1); (b) hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a cubic structure (2) which is stabilized by yttrium oxide Y2O3, the yttrium oxide Y2O3 representing 0.5 mol % to 8 mol % relative to the total number of moles of hafnium dioxide HfO2; (c) closed pores (3); (d) non-interconnected open pores. The process of manufacturing the material and a structural part incorporating the material are also set forth.

Abstract: Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials, methods for making these articles and materials, and methods for protecting articles using coatings made from these materials. One particular embodiment is an article that comprises a coating having a surface connected porosity content of up to about 5 percent by volume. The coating comprises a material that comprises a primary oxide and a secondary oxide, wherein (i) the primary oxide comprises a cerium cation, and (ii) the secondary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of the praseodymium and neodymium. The material is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of at least one type selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface-treated ceramic member which has a coating film-formed surface comprising a ceramic sintered body with a porosity of 1% or less and a sol-gel coating film of a silicon alkoxide compound polymer formed on at least a part of a ceramic sintered body, wherein the coating film and the surface of the body are coexistent in the coating film-formed surface. Specifically the area of the sol-gel coating film accounts for 5 to 80% of the total area of the coating film-formed surface. The surface-treated ceramic member has excellent corrosion resistance and is free from scattering of particles.

Abstract: Stone is formed from 5 to 60% by weight of polymerised, low-viscosity, transparent or low-colour-resin, 20 to 90% by weight of spherical alumina trihidrate Al2O3.3H2O containing less regular particles containing, advantageously 0 to 100% by weight of a transparent or translucent substitute of alumina trihydrate, and/or with 0 to 20% or pre-prepared particulate, filled resin of a chosen colour, and/or mineral particles and less than 2% by weight of luminophor. These individual components are mixed intensely whilst extracting included gaseous parts. Extraction is carried out whilst mixing, and/or after mixing, and/or before mixing. The mixture is initiated by introducing a starter and intensely mixing it into the mixture. The mixture is poured into a mould or onto a moving endless belt. The cured synthetic stone is removed from the mould or the hardened composite is taken off the the belt. Synthetic stone can be used in products as a light carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride slurry and the resulting slurry. The method involves mixing from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. % surfactant with about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % hexagonal boron nitride powder in a medium under conditions effective to produce a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. The present invention also relates to a method for making a spherical boron nitride powder and a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride paste using a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hexagonal boron nitride paste including from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. % solid hexagonal boron nitride. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a spherical boron nitride powder, a polymer blend including a polymer and the spherical hexagonal boron nitride powder, and a system including such a polymer blend.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles comprising a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also comprises delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride slurry and the resulting slurry. The method involves mixing from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. % surfactant with about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % hexagonal boron nitride powder in a medium under conditions effective to produce a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. The present invention also relates to a method for making a spherical boron nitride powder and a method for making a hexagonal boron nitride paste using a hexagonal boron nitride slurry. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hexagonal boron nitride paste including from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. % solid hexagonal boron nitride. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a spherical boron nitride powder, a polymer blend including a polymer and the spherical hexagonal boron nitride powder, and a system including such a polymer blend.

Abstract: A hollow plastic body comprises a material composite consisting of a stamp-formed panel or sheet-like first layer of a first thermoplastic synthetic material, an optionally stamp-formed panel or sheet-like second layer of a second synthetic material, and an open-cell or mixed-cell foam layer of a third synthetic material disposed between the first and the second layer. The foam layer may be compressed at least in some sections in accordance with the stamped form of the first layer and/or the second layer. The foam layer may be in mechanical contact with the first or/and second layer substantially only in the compressed sections. Advantageous manufacturing methods for hollow plastic bodies are further disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a substrate carrier for use in electroplating a plurality of substrates. The carrier includes a non-conductive carrier body on which the substrates are placed and conductive lines embedded within the carrier body. A plurality of conductive clip attachment parts are attached in a permanent manner to the conductive lines embedded within the carrier body. A plurality of contact clips are attached in a removable manner to the clip attachment parts. The contact clips hold the substrates in place and conductively connecting the substrates with the conductive lines. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustical tile that includes a core and a surface treatment. The surface treatment comprises a formaldehyde-free latex binder, the binder including at least one formaldehyde-free biocide. The present invention also provides a process of manufacturing an acoustical tile.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roofing shingle includes applying an asphalt coating to a substrate to define an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including a headlap portion and a tab portion. Reinforcement material is applied from a spool to the asphalt coated sheet, wherein the reinforcement material is wound in a waywind pattern on the spool payed out from a roll. The reinforcement material is then secured to the headlap portion of the asphalt coated sheet. Prior to applying the reinforcement material to the asphalt coated sheet, the reinforcement material has a first width. The method further includes shrinking the reinforcement material to a second width narrower than the first width upon securing the reinforcement material to the headlap portion.

Abstract: A method for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.

Abstract: Colored fluids for electrowetting, electro fluidic, or electrophoretic devices, and the devices themselves, are disclosed. The colored fluid can include a nonaqueous polar solvent having (a) a dynamic viscosity of 0.1 cP to 50 cP at 250 C, (b) a surface tension of 25 dynes/cm to 55 dynes/cm at 250 C, and (c) an electrowetting relative response of 40% to 80%. Such colored fluids further include a colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. In another embodiment, the colored fluid can include a non-polar solvent and an organic colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. Such colored fluids can be black in color and have a conductivity from 0 pS/cm to 5 pS/cm and a dielectric constant less than 3. The use of the colored fluids offers improvements in reliability, higher levels of chroma in the dispersed state, and the ability to achieve higher contrast ratios in display technologies.

Abstract: A multi-segment tool and tooling system for vacuum forming a composite part. A tool can include a first tool having first and second surfaces. A second tool can have an opening positioned on a first tool in a location other than the first surface or the second surface. The first tool and second tool can receive at least a portion of a preform composite. The first tool can have a vacuum barrier attached to the first surface and to the second surface encapsulating the preform composite and the second tool. A tooling system can include a first tool having a core and a base with a core extending upwards from the base. A second tool can be positioned upon the core where the core extends above the second tool. A vacuum barrier sealed to the base and the core can include a composite, the first tool and the second tool.

Abstract: An cleaning composition and process for cleaning post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) residue and contaminants from a microelectronic device having said residue and contaminants thereon. The cleaning compositions include novel corrosion inhibitors. The composition achieves highly efficacious cleaning of the post-CMP residue and contaminant material from the surface of the microelectronic device without compromising the low-k dielectric material or the copper interconnect material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. A modular integrated material blending and storage system includes a first module comprising a storage unit, a second module comprising a liquid additive storage unit and a pump for maintaining pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage unit. The system further includes a third module comprising a pre-gel blender. An output of each of the first module, the second module and the third module is located above a blender and gravity directs the contents of the first module, the second module and the third module to the blender. The system also includes a pump that directs the output of the blender to a desired down hole location. The pump may be powered by natural gas or electricity.

Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion device having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, a photoelectric conversion device 21 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of lower electrodes 2 on the substrate 1 comprising a metal element, a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers 33 comprising a chalcogen compound semiconductor formed on the plurality of lower electrodes 2 and separated from one another on the lower electrodes 2, a metal-chalcogen compound layer 8 comprising the metal element and a chalcogen element included in the chalcogen compound semiconductor formed between the lower electrode 2 and the photoelectric conversion layer 33, an upper electrode 5 formed on the photoelectric conversion layer 33, and a connection conductor 7 electrically connecting, in a plurality of the photoelectric conversion layers 33, the upper electrode 5 to the lower electrode 2 without interposition of the metal-chalcogen compound layer 8.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display apparatus comprising, a display panel comprising a front substrate and a back substrate, at least one structure disposed in the rear of the display panel, and a supporting film attached to the display panel and connected to at least one structure.

Abstract: An in-plane switching type liquid crystal display comprising (a) first and second polarizing plates facing each other and spaced from each other; (b) a liquid crystal cell situated between said first and second polarizing plates; and (c) a compensation structure located between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate; wherein the director orientation of the liquid crystal layer being controlled by an electric field parallel to the polarizing plates; one said compensation structure is positioned between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate; the polarizing plates have transmission axes perpendicular to each other, and the compensation structure comprises at least one retardation layer of supramolecules involving at least one polycyclic organic compound with a conjugated ?-system and functional groups which are capable of forming non-covalent bonds between said supramolecules.