Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus comprising an upper portion into which molten material is poured, the upper portion having a central rotational axis about which the apparatus is rotated; at least one block runner is connected to the upper portion at the proximal end of the block runner and to at least one mould at the distal end of the block runner, the block runner being mounted substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and wherein the moulds are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the centrifugal casting apparatus.

Abstract: A ceramic casting shell is formed by a method comprising the steps of coating a wax former with one or more layers of a ceramic slurry; drying the or each layer of ceramic slurry; wherein the dried layer or layers of ceramic slurry form a ceramic shell; applying over the ceramic shell, a coating of a polymer material; heating the formed assembly to melt and remove the wax former, wherein the polymer coating acts as a strengthening layer to the ceramic shell during the wax removal process; and subsequent to removal of the wax former, heating the ceramic shell to melt and remove the polymer coating. The polymer coating is preferably the outer coating of the ceramic shell. The polymer coating may be applied by spraying, dipping or painting onto the ceramic shell.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus comprising an upper portion into which molten material is poured, the upper portion having a central rotational axis about which the apparatus is rotated; at least one block runner is connected to the upper portion at the proximal end of the block runner and to at least one mould at the distal end of the block runner, the block runner being mounted substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and wherein the moulds are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the centrifugal casting apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting strain associated with an object by: (1) irradiating a composition that has been applied to the object, where the composition comprises semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; (2) measuring an emission from the irradiated composition, where the emission comprises near infrared emission; and (3) correlating the near infrared emission to the presence or absence of strain associated with the object. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without physically contacting the object or the composition. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Further embodiments of the present invention also include a step of applying the composition to the object.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting strain associated with an object by: (1) irradiating a composition that has been applied to the object, where the composition comprises semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; (2) measuring an emission from the irradiated composition, where the emission comprises near infrared emission; and (3) correlating the near infrared emission to the presence or absence of strain associated with the object. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without physically contacting the object or the composition. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Further embodiments of the present invention also include a step of applying the composition to the object.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.

Abstract: A method of growing a single crystal seed bar (10) in which a mold provided with a grain selector filter (16) above a starter chamber is filled with molten metal, whereupon the metal is allowed to solidify slowly upwardly from the starter chamber. The filter (16) is provided with a pattern of openings, with the diameter of the openings being at least as large as the primary dendrite tip radius of the metal, but smaller than half the primary dendrite arm spacing.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.

Abstract: A method of growing a single crystal seed bar (10) in which a mould provided with a grain selector filter (16) above a starter chamber is filled with molten metal, whereupon the metal is allowed to solidify slowly upwardly from the starter chamber. The filter (16) is provided with a pattern of openings, with the diameter of the openings being at least as large as the primary dendrite tip radius of the metal, but smaller than half the primary dendrite arm spacing.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.

Abstract: A turbine blade is manufactured as a single-crystal casting from a metal alloy, without a solution heat treatment step.

Abstract: A method of forming at least a part of a single crystal component (34) comprising a base material, the method comprises the steps of; directing a flow of base material (24) at a first location (22) on a substrate (26, 34), directing a laser (20) towards the first location (22) to fuse the flow of base material (24) with the substrate (26, 34) thereby forming a deposit (22) on the substrate (26), characterised in that, the method comprises controlling the rate of cooling of the deposit (22) and/or substrate (26, 34) so that the single crystal extends into the deposit (22).