Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior thermal storage devices by combining the advantages of a sealed double wall container with a phase change thermal energy storage synthetic chemical which creates a superior portable and reusable cold/hot thermal storage container. The invention provides for a double walled container with a double walled lid. The double walled container, and lid, having thinner internal walls than the exterior walls and the hollow section between the two walls is filled with a phase change thermal energy storage synthetic chemical, and sealed. The double walled container is then pre-cooled at standard refrigerator freezer temperatures and/or heated in a hot water bath or micro-wave oven. The container can be used to store food or other items that need to be maintained cold or hot for longer periods than previously available by use of the standard water and salt based cold or hot storage chemicals.

Abstract: Methods of electroless plating piezoelectric ceramic with copper metal, include contacting a copper halide salt with an electroless plating solution to form a mixture and contacting the piezoelectric ceramic with the mixture.

Abstract: A polymer slip for producing a ceramic body is disclosed. The slip includes a polymer, surfactant, dispersant and about 50-70 volume % ceramic powder. The slip can be set in a closed mold. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a green body. The method includes contacting a ceramic powder with a polymer to form a slip mixture, mixing the slip mixture, injecting the slip mixture in a mold and setting the mixture in the mold at a temperature of about 20-40° C. The slip mixture comprises about 50-65 volume % of the ceramic powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods of making the same. The method comprises contacting a ceramic powder with a first polymer and surfactant to form a slip mixture, mixing the slip mixture, injecting the slip mixture into a mold to form a green body, removing the mold from the green body, sintering the green body to form a sintered ceramic body, and embedding the sintered ceramic body in a second polymer to form a composite. An apparatus for forming a net shaped green body includes a mold, supplemental mold and mold assembly.