Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a wellbore formed in a subterranean rock formation. The wellbore includes at least one fracture extending therefrom. The method includes forming a particle-free treatment fluid that includes an uncured, particle-free proppant material, and injecting the particle-free treatment fluid into the wellbore and towards the at least one fracture. The uncured, particle-free proppant material is configured to cure in-situ when positioned within the at least one fracture.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a ceramic core comprising predominantly mullite, which is derived from a precursor comprising alumina particles and siloxane binders. Free silica is present in the ceramic body, but is largely unavailable for reaction with metal alloys used in investment casting. Methods of making cast metal articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a ceramic core comprising predominantly mullite, which is derived from a precursor comprising alumina particles and siloxane binders. Free silica is present in the ceramic body, but is largely unavailable for reaction with metal alloys used in investment casting. Methods of making cast metal articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming porous ceramic articles are provided. The method is forming a composition including liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former; shaping the composition; curing the composition to form a green body; volatilizing the pore-former before or after curing the composition; and firing the green body. The pore-former is a silicon-bearing agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole, or a molecule with a molecular weight under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid. The composition comprises liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former, which is an agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole or a molecule with a molecular mass under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the performance level of an electrochemical cell is described. The cell usually includes a negative electrode that includes an alkali metal; a positive electrode that includes at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte based on an alkali metal haloaluminate; and a sodium ion-conducting solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode. The method is based on a treatment regimen that includes the step of applying a series of electrical cycles to the cell, wherein the series includes at least one deep discharge of the cell. Each discharge of the cell is usually followed by recharging the cell to its available capacity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for forming ceramic articles, such as, for instance, cores and shells for investment casting, are provided. The composition comprises a liquid that comprises a siloxane species; a plurality of particles, comprising a ceramic material, disposed within the liquid; a catalyst material disposed within the liquid; and a pore-forming agent disposed within the liquid. The pore-forming agent comprises a silicon-bearing agent that is substantially inert with respect to the liquid, and has an average molecular weight less than about 1300 grams per mole. The method comprises disposing any of the compositions described above in a desired shape; curing the siloxane species, and volatilizing the pore-forming agent to form a porous green body.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a cathode chamber including a cathode material and an ion sequestering material, an anode chamber including a molten alkali metal material and a separator disposed in an ionic conductivity path between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The electrochemical cell demonstrates a reduced increase in discharge resistance.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the performance level of an electrochemical cell is described. The cell usually includes a negative electrode that includes an alkali metal; a positive electrode that includes at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte based on an alkali metal haloaluminate; and a sodium ion-conducting solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode. The method is based on a treatment regimen that includes the step of applying a series of electrical cycles to the cell, wherein the series includes at least one deep discharge of the cell. Each discharge of the cell is usually followed by recharging the cell to its available capacity.

Abstract: A composition including a polycrystalline metal nitride having a number of grains is provided. These grains have a columnar structure with one or more properties such as, an average grain size, a tilt angle, an impurity content, a porosity, a density, and an atomic fraction of the metal in the metal nitride.

Abstract: A composition including a polycrystalline metal nitride having a number of grains is provided. These grains have a columnar structure with one or more properties such as, an average grain size, a tilt angle, an impurity content, a porosity, a density, and an atomic fraction of the metal in the metal nitride. An apparatus for preparing a metal nitride is provided. The apparatus may include a housing having an interior surface that defines a chamber and an energy source to supply energy to the chamber. A first inlet may be provided to flow a nitrogen-containing gas into the chamber. Raw materials may be introduced into the chamber through a raw material inlet. A second inlet may be provided to flow in a halide-containing gas in the chamber. The apparatus may further include a controller, which communicates with the various components of the apparatus such as, sensors, valves, and energy source, and may optimize and control the reaction.

Abstract: A method of making a metal nitride is provided. The method may include introducing a metal in a chamber. A nitrogen-containing material may be flowed into the chamber. Further, a hydrogen halide may be introduced. The nitrogen-containing material may react with the metal in the chamber to form the metal nitride.

Abstract: A green product for use in fabricating a ceramic article comprises a ceramic powder immobilized within a silicone matrix, wherein the silicone matrix comprises one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers, wherein the one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers have a alkenyl reactive functional group and a hydride reactive functional group. Processes for forming a green product and a ceramic core with the silicone monomers and/or oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for growing a nitride crystal and a crystalline composition selected from one of AlN, InGaN, AlGaInN, InGaN, and AlGaNInN is provided. The composition comprises a true single crystal, grown from a single nucleus, at least 1 mm in diameter, free of lateral strain and tilt boundaries, with a dislocation density less than about 104 cm?2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising injecting into a thin wall disposable core die a slurry having a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1 and a flow index of less than 0.6 at a pressure of up to about 7 kilograms-force per square centimeter; wherein the thin wall disposable core die has an average wall thickness of about 1.5 to about 10 millimeters; curing the slurry to form a cured ceramic core; removing the thin wall disposable core die from the cured ceramic core; and firing the cured ceramic core to form a solidified ceramic core.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of high-purity elemental silicon is described. The process includes the step of preparing a silica gel composition by reacting at least one organosilane compound with an aqueous composition, so as to form granules of the silica gel. A hydrocarbon species is then decomposed by way of a hydrocarbon cracking reaction in the presence of the silica gel composition, so that carbon resulting from the decomposition of the hydrocarbon species is deposited on the granules of the gel composition. Heating of the carbon-containing silica gel composition to an elevated temperature produces the elemental silicon product. Related methods for making photovoltaic cells, using the elemental silicon, are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming high-purity elemental silicon is disclosed. The method includes the step of heating a silica gel composition, or an intermediate composition derived from a silica gel composition, wherein the silica gel composition or intermediate composition includes at least about 5% by weight carbon, and the heating temperature is above about 1550° C. The heating step results in the production of a product which includes elemental silicon. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a photovoltaic cell. The method includes the step of forming a semiconductor substrate from elemental silicon prepared as described in this disclosure. Additional steps are then undertaken to fabricate the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising injecting into a thin wall disposable core die a slurry having a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1 and a flow index of less than 0.6 at a pressure of up to about 7 kilograms-force per square centimeter; wherein the thin wall disposable core die has an average wall thickness of about 1.5 to about 10 millimeters; curing the slurry to form a cured ceramic core; removing the thin wall disposable core die from the cured ceramic core; and firing the cured ceramic core to form a solidified ceramic core.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a casting composition within a sacrificial die; wherein internal features of the sacrificial die provide a replica of a desired casting; wherein the casting composition has a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1; reacting the casting composition to form a gel matrix; removing the sacrificial die; extracting a solvent from the gel matrix to form a dried gel; and firing the dried gel to form a ceramic core. Disclosed herein too is a casting composition comprising a monomer and/or a polymer; and a metal and/or ceramic powder; wherein the casting composition has a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1 and a flow index of less than 0.6.