Abstract: A method of restoring the proton conductivity of a sintered pyrophosphate membrane of intermediate temperature fuel cells (IT-FCs) by introducing phosphoric acid into the sintered SnP2O7 membrane to react with the degraded SnP2O7 species and thus restore the membrane pyrophosphate and proton conductivity. Such cells operate with low external humidification, and the active area of the cells may be fabricated up to 100 cm2 in size.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method for making a mask layer. The method may include providing a patterned layer on a substrate, the patterned layer including at least a first set of lines of an organic material of a first nature, the lines having a line height, a first line width roughness, and being separated either by voids or by a material of a second nature. The method may further include infiltrating at least a top portion of the first set of lines with a metal or ceramic material. The method may further include removing the organic material by oxidative plasma etching, thereby forming a second set of lines of metal or ceramic material on the substrate, the second set of lines having a second line width roughness, smaller than the first line width roughness.

Abstract: A soft tissue filler comprising a biodegradable amino-acid derived polycarbonate-urethanes and methods of repairing soft tissue defects are provided. The biodegradable soft tissue filler comprises a porous scaffold that is the reaction product of: a) a divinyl oligomer component that comprises a carbonate-derived divinyl oligomer that is the reaction product of a lysine-derived diisocyanate, a vinyl coupling agent, and a polycarbonate and, optionally, an ether-derived divinyl oligomer, wherein the ether-derived divinyl oligomer is the reaction product of a lysine-derived diisocyanate, a vinyl coupling agent, and an ether; b) at least one anionic monomer; and c) at least one hydrophobic monomer. The molar ratio of (a):(b+c) is between about 1:?21 and about 1:30, the soft tissue filler has a porosity of >75%; and a compressive moduli of between about 1 kPa and about 50 kPa.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of pre-formed bodies of Chemically Bonded Ceramics (CBCs) biomaterial for implantation purposes wherein the bodies are prepared ex vivo allowing process parameters to be optimized for desired long term properties of the resulting CBC biomaterial. More particularly, the pre-formed CBC material bodies of the present invention are sintered. The pre-formed body of CBC material is machined to the desired geometry and then implanted using a CBC cementation paste for fixation of the body to tissue. The invention also relates to a method of preparing pre-formed bodies of CBC biomaterial for implantation purposes, methods of preparing an implant thereof having desired geometry, and a method of implantation of the implant, as well as a kit for use in the method of implantation.

Abstract: A method for preparing a cubic phase Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZ) includes dry-mixing Li2CO3, La2O3, ZrO2 and Al2O3. The mixture is fired at 800° C. to 1,000° C. for 5 to 7 hours, naturally cooled, and dry-mixed. A pellet having a size from 8 mm to 12 mm at 120 MPa to 150 MPa is manufactured using the mixture. Then, the pellet is fired at 1,000° C. to 1,250° C. for 20 to 36 hours.

Abstract: A hexaaluminate-containing catalyst containing a hexaaluminate-containing phase which includes cobalt and at least one further element of La, Ba or Sr. The catalyst contains 2 to 15 mol % Co, 70 to 90 mol % Al, and 2 to 25 mol % of the further element of La, Ba or Sr. In addition to the hexaaluminate-containing phase, the catalyst can include 0 to 50% by weight of an oxidic secondary phase. The process of preparing the catalyst includes contacting an aluminum oxide source with cobalt species and at least with an element from the group of La, Ba and Sr. The molded and dried material is preferably calcined at a temperature greater than or equal to 800° C. In the reforming process for reacting hydrocarbons in the presence of CO2, the catalyst is used at a process temperature of greater than 700° C., with the process pressure being greater than 5 bar.

Abstract: Methods of firing a cordierite green body to form a fired cordierite body. The green body comprises cordierite-forming raw materials and organic material, the body having a core portion and a skin portion. The green body is pre-heated to a pre-heat temperature that is less than a thermal decomposition temperature of the organic material. The green body is maintained at the pre-heat temperature for a period of time sufficient to minimize a temperature differential between the core portion and the skin portion. The green body is heated to a low firing temperature in a firing atmosphere sufficient to reduce a content of the organic material and to substantially remove chemically bound water from hydrous alumina. The green body is heated to a high firing temperature in a firing atmosphere sufficient to reduce the content of the organic material prior to a substantial removal of chemically bound water from clay.

Abstract: The present application discloses a lithium-rich anode material, a lithium battery anode, and a lithium battery, where the structural formula of the lithium-rich anode material is as follows: z[xLi2MO3.(1-x)LiMeO2].(1-z)Li3-2yM?2yPO4, where 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1; M is at least one of elements Mn, Ti, Zr, and Cr, Me is at least one of elements Mn, Co, Ni, Ti, Cr, V, Fe, Al, Mg, and Zr, and M? is at least one of elements Fe, Co, Ni, V, Mg, and Mn. Both the lithium battery anode and the lithium battery include the lithium-rich anode material. Because of the high capability of withstanding high voltages, the high initial charge-discharge efficiency, and the safety of the lithium-rich anode material, the lithium battery has excellent energy density, discharge capacity, cycle life, and rate performance.

Abstract: To provide a light-transmitting window material made of a spinel sintered body, wherein the largest diameter of pores contained in the light-transmitting window material is not more than 100 ?m, and the number of pores having a largest diameter of not less than 10 ?m is not more than 2.0 per 1 cm3 of the light-transmitting window material, and wherein light scattering factors are further reduced, and a method for producing a spinel light-transmitting window material including the steps of preparing a spinel molded body; a primary sintering step of sintering the spinel molded body at normal pressure or less or in a vacuum at a temperature in the range of 1500 to 1900° C.; and a secondary sintering step of sintering the spinel molded body under pressure at a temperature in the range of 1500 to 2000° C., wherein the relative density of the spinel molded body after the primary sintering step is 95 to 96% and the relative density of the spinel molded body after the secondary sintering step is 99.8% or more.

Abstract: To provide a sputtering target which enables an oxide film containing a plurality of metal elements and having high crystallinity. A plurality of raw materials are mixed and first baking is performed thereon, whereby a crystalline oxide is formed. The crystalline oxide is ground to form a crystalline oxide powder. The crystalline oxide powder is mixed with water and an organic substance to make slurry, and the slurry is poured into a mold provided with a filter. The water and the organic substance are removed from the slurry through the filter, so that a molded body is formed. The residual water and the residual organic substance in the molded body are removed, and then second baking is performed.

Abstract: Provided is a zinc oxide sintered compact tablet enabling a transparent conductive film having no pinholes defects to be stably obtained during vacuum deposition film formation by suppressing the occurrence of the splashing phenomenon. A zinc oxide sintered compact tablet having hexagonal crystal structure, wherein when the integrated intensity of surface (103) and surface (110) found through X-ray diffraction analysis using CuK? radiation is taken to be I(103) and I(110) respectively, the orientation of the uniaxially pressed surface that is expressed by I(103)/(I(103)+I(110)) is 0.48 or more is obtained by performing pressurized formation of a granulated powder composed of a zinc oxide powder or a powder mixture of zinc oxide and an added element as a dopant and having a percentage of donut shaped secondary particles of 50% or more, sintering at normal pressure and a temperature of 800° C. to 1300° C.

Abstract: The transparent glass ceramic plate has a thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of ?0.05 to ?0.1×10?6/K at 30 to 700° C. and a composition, in wt. %, consisting of: Li2O, 3.0-4.5; Al2O3, 18.0-24.0; SiO2, 55.0-70.0; TiO2, 0.01-2.3; ZrO2, 0.01-2.0; ? TiO2+ZrO2, 0.5-4.3; SnO2, 0-0.2; MgO, 0-0.8; BaO, 0-3; ZnO, 0-2.5; Na2O, 0-1.5; As2O3, 0.3-0.9; and Fe2O3, 0.004 to 0.02. A transparent plate laminate, which is used as armor or in a bullet-proof vest and which contains one or more of this glass ceramic plate together with optional glass and/or plastic plates, and a process for making the glass ceramic plate, are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining a sintering shrinkage of a pre-sintered body. The method includes providing a green preform with at least one design feature. The green-preform is pre-sintered to form a white body. At least one change in the at least one design feature with the pre-sintering is recorded. An expected sintering shrinkage to a dense-sintered component is determined using the recorded change.

Abstract: A structure and a method for suppressing noise of electronic equipment utilize a noise suppresser to cover a periphery or a surface of the electronic equipment or the circuits thereof. The noise suppresser comprises elements of zirconia and at least one oxide that serves as a stabilizer. By compounding afore elements and sintering process the compound, a zirconia ceramics is formed. Simply made and costing less, the noise suppresser yet offers numerous applicable means. The noise around the electronic equipment is efficiently reduced or suppressed while operating. Thereby, the quality of electronic signals transmitted between the circuits of the electronic equipment is enhanced. Further, when the noise suppressor is disposed on a periphery or a surface of the electronic equipment or the circuits thereof, far infrared and resonance are concurrently generated while the electronic equipment is electrified, so that accumulated heat in the electronic equipment is dispersed for reducing noise.

Abstract: A wear resistant member formed of ceramic sintered body mainly composed of silicon nitride, the ceramic sintered body containing 10 to 3500 ppm of an Fe component in terms of Fe element, more than 1000 ppm to 2000 ppm of a Ca component in terms of Ca element, and 1 to 2000 ppm of a Mg component in terms of Mg element, wherein a ?-phase ratio of silicon nitride crystal grains is 95% or more, a maximum longer diameter of the silicon nitride crystal grains is 40 ?m or less, Ca component existing in grain boundary phase is not detected by XRD (X-ray Diffraction method), and each of dispersions in Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and density of the wear resistant member is within a range of ±10%. According to this structure, there can be obtained a wear resistant member comprising a ceramic sintered body improved in grinding-work property in addition to an excellent wear resistant property.

Abstract: A filter, in particular for a rotary separator, is produced using an energy beam melting process, for example an electron beam, starting from powder made from the same material as a porous filtering portion to be formed, for example from a titanium alloy; on the basis of a three-dimensional model comprising a cell structure defining the porous filtering portion, subsequent layers of powder are applied and locally melted, so as to form successive sections of the porous filtering portion; at the end of the forming process, the residual powder is evacuated from the pores.

Abstract: A tablet for vapor deposition of the present invention is characterized in that, crystal grains appearing on a fracture surface of an indium oxide sintered body have such a grain diameter distribution that the percentage due to crystal grains having a grain diameter corresponding to a highest peak is 20% or less; and the tablet for vapor deposition is produced by a method comprising: a first step of obtaining a calcined powder by mixing an indium oxide powder and a cerium oxide powder, and subjecting the mixture to a heat treatment at 1300° C. or above and 1550° C.

Abstract: A method of oxygen enrichment in which a gaseous mixture containing O2 molecules and N2 molecules is provided to a feed side of a SAPO molecular sieve, oxygen enrichment membrane having pore sizes suitable for discriminating between O2 molecules and N2 molecules, resulting in selective transport of the O2 molecules through the membrane to a permeate side of the membrane. Also disclosed is a method for producing the membrane.

Abstract: Ultrafine metal carbide or metal boride particles are consolidated by a method including sintering at intermediate pressures. A green body comprising the ultrafine metal carbide or metal boride particles may be preheated under vacuum and then pressurized to the intermediate sintering pressure. After sintering, the article may be densified at an intermediate temperature below the sintering temperature, and at an elevated pressure above the intermediate sintering temperature. The resultant consolidated metal carbide or metal boride article may then be cooled and used for such applications as armor panels, abrasion resistant nozzles, and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous ceramic article having a narrow pore distribution includes heating a green body containing ceramic forming raw materials in a firing environment that raising the temperature of the firing environment to a peak temperature, then reducing the temperature to a hold temperature in order to form porous ceramic.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid and economical process for manufacturing a transparent, spinel based ceramic. A transparent body of sintered magnesium aluminate spinel having excellent optical and mechanical properties is provided in a single-stage thermal process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum nitride substrate and an aluminum nitride circuit board having excellent insulation characteristics and heat dissipation properties and having high strength, a semiconductor apparatus, and a method for manufacturing an aluminum nitride substrate.

Abstract: Ceramic dielectric materials that can be utilized as electronic components, such as dielectric resonators are disclosed. The material can have a formula Ba12M?(28+a/3)Ti(54?a-b)M?aGebO162, wherein M? is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, and yttrium, M? is at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, chromium, indium, scandium, and ytterbium, 0?a?6, and 0?b?3. The ceramic dielectric material can also have a formula Ba12M?(28+2x/3)Ti(54?x?y)M??xGeyO162, wherein M? is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, and yttrium, M?? is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt, 0?x?3, and 0?y?3. One or more aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of fabricating a dielectric component. Methods of synthesizing the disclosed ceramic dielectric materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeable membrane is disclosed. The membrane is prepared by forming a mixture of metal oxide powder and ceramic oxide powder and a pore former into an article. The article is dried at elevated temperatures and then sintered in a reducing atmosphere to provide a dense hydrogen permeable portion near the surface of the sintered mixture. The dense hydrogen permeable portion has a higher initial concentration of metal than the remainder of the sintered mixture and is present in the range of from about 20 to about 80 percent by volume of the dense hydrogen permeable portion.

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate includes a first phase of microcracked cordierite ceramic material and a second phase of non-cordierite metal oxide particles dispersed in the cordierite ceramic, wherein at least a portion of the interface between the first and second phases is wetted by glass and the particles of the second phase have a size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: This process is a fused glass powder process for making ceramic billets for semiconductor dopants. The powder process uses a unique combination of steps for packing, compacting and heat treating the powders. The resulting billets may be tailored in composition to provide a variety of densities, rigidities and B2O3 evolution rates. Further, the resulting wafers have a large diameter to meet the needs of semiconductor production.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing microwave dielectric ceramics has the steps of: mixing multiple A-metal compounds and sintering multiple A-metal compounds between 1350˜1450° C. for 2˜4 hr to make a first component Ba5+y(Nb1?kMnk)4O15; mixing and sintering multiple B-metal compounds to make a second component Ba1+zNb2O6; and mixing the first component Ba5+y(Nb1?kMnk)4O15, the second component Ba1+zNb2O6 and at least one sintering aid to make a third component (1?x)Ba5+y(Nb1?kMnk)4O5-xBa1+zNb2O6; wherein x, y, z and k are molar fractions and 0?x<1, 0<y?0.3, 0?z?0.3, 0?k?0.1; and the at least one sintering aid is 0.3˜3 wt %. The microwave dielectric ceramics of (1?x)Ba5+y(Nb1?kMnk)4O15-xBa1+zNb2O6 have superior microwave properties, low sintering temperature, simple chemical composition and manufacturing requirements applicable to low temperature co-sintered ceramic systems so no re-tooling is required.

Abstract: A bioactive and bioresorbable scaffold including a glass-ceramic material including fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite doped with about 1-5 wt.% niobium oxide that is shaped into a scaffold is described. The glass-ceramic material has high crystallinity and a complex topography which provide it with greater structural strength and bioresorbability. Methods of preparing the bioactive and bioresorbable scaffold and methods of using the scaffold for musculoskeletal engineering are also provided.

Abstract: A wear resistant member formed of silicon nitride sintered body having a volume of 4000 mm3 or more, the silicon nitride sintered body containing 1 to 5 mass % of a rare earth component in terms of rare earth element, 1 to 6 mass % of an Al component in terms of Al element, 10 to 3500 ppm of an Fe component in terms of Fe element, and 10 to 1000 ppm of a Ca component in terms of Ca element, wherein a ?-phase ratio of silicon nitride crystal grains is 95% or more, a maximum longer diameter of the silicon nitride crystal grains is 40 ?m or less, and each of dispersions in Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of an inner portion of the wear resistant member is within a range of ±10%. According to this structure, the wear resistant member can be manufactured with a low cost, and there can be provided a wear resistant member comprising a silicon nitride sintered body excellent in reliability and the dispersion in characteristics is effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A Si—SiC based fired body includes a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) particles serving as an aggregate, and silicon (Si) which serves as a binder and which is filled into gaps between the above-described silicon carbide particles, wherein the maximum particle diameter of the above-described silicon carbide particles is 0.5 mm or more, the content of silicon is 5 to 40 percent by mass, and the porosity is 0 to 5%. Preferably, the Si—SiC based fired body is in a thick-walled shape having a thickness of 20 to 200 mm.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ceramic material comprises increasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a first predetermined temperature and maintaining the temperature of the ceramic material at the first predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period to increase the grain size of the ceramic material. Increasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a second predetermined temperature, decreasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a third predetermined temperature to freeze the grain size of the ceramic material and maintaining the temperature of the ceramic material at the third predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time period to densify the ceramic material. Finally decreasing the temperature of the ceramic material to ambient temperature. The method increases the density of the ceramic material. Used for electrolyte layers of solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention describes a transparent plate of lithium aluminosilicate glass ceramic showing a high transmission, a process for producing same and transparent plate laminates comprising at least one plate of the lithium aluminosilicate glass ceramic of the invention and the use thereof as armored glass or bullet-proof vest.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making a microporous ceramic material using a metal silicon powder and including a reaction sintering process of the silicon. A material for forming a microporous ceramic material used in these methods includes a metal silicon powder, a silicon nitride powder and/or a silicon carbide powder, and if desired, a yttrium oxide powder and/or an aluminum oxide powder. These methods can make a microporous ceramic material that can be used preferably as a gas or liquid filter, a catalyst carrier or a support of a gas separation membrane.

Abstract: Lasing systems utilizing YAG and methods for producing a YAG suitable for lasing are provided. The lasing system comprises a laser activator and a laser host material is provided. The laser host material comprises a transparent polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet material defined by a low porosity of less than about 3 ppm.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride sintered body having resistance to plasma gas and high thermal conduction and having excellent optical properties. The aluminum nitride sintered body of the present invention is characterized in that the proportion of positrons which are annihilated within a period of 180 ps (picoseconds) in the aluminum nitride crystal, as determined in the defect analysis using a positron annihilation method, is not less than 90%, and the sintered body preferably has a thermal conductivity of not less than 200 W/mK.

Abstract: A method of producing a rare earth oxysulfide scintillating ceramic body includes heat treatment to form a consolidated body, followed by gas hot isostatic pressing (GHIPing). A powder is first provided having the general formula (M1-xLnx)2O2S, wherein M is a rare earth element, and Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm, and Ho, and 1×10?6<X<2×10?1. The powder is heat treated to form a consolidated body having closed porosity, wherein heat treating is carried out at a temperature Tht. The consolidated body is GHIPed to a density not less than 99% of theoretical density, in a GHIPing environment having a temperature Thip, where 1100° C.<Thip<1500° C., to thereby form a densified body.

Abstract: A sintering schedule to allow the reliable formation of inorganic or ceramic materials, exemplified using porous calcium polyphosphate samples to be used for forming novel implants for bone interfacing applications. The key to the successful definition of the process was the determination of the factors affecting the crystallization temperature of the powders that are gravity sintered to form porous samples of desired density and with a pore size range suitable for the particular application.

Abstract: A Si—SiC based fired body includes a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) particles serving as an aggregate, and silicon (Si) which serves as a binder and which is filled into gaps between the above-described silicon carbide particles, wherein the maximum particle diameter of the above-described silicon carbide particles is 0.5 mm or more, the content of silicon is 5 to 40 percent by mass, and the porosity is 0 to 5%. Preferably, the Si—SiC based fired body is in a thick-walled shape having a thickness of 20 to 200 mm.

Abstract: A method for making bricks includes a step mixing ceramic earth, quartz sands and Styrofoam as a base and putting the base in a first mold; a step of coating a top layer of ceramic earth on a top of the base; a step of molding surface patterns on the top layer of the base by a second mold, a step of kilning the base in step of making surface patterns for six hours at 1100 degrees Celsius to form a semi-product, a step of coating a layer of glaze on surfaces of the semi-product, and a step of kilning the semi-product for at least one hour at 900 to 1000 degrees Celsius. The base and the top layer are crystallized so as to have desired surface patterns and the Styrofoam is vaporized so as to form holes in the brick.

Abstract: An improved cutting tool insert and a method for the preparation of such cutting tool insert, having a sintered alumina and silicon carbide whisker composite material body, comprising the steps of milling and mixing the powdered starting materials of said composite material and forming said material into a preformed workpiece, heating up said workpiece at a heating rate of from about 20 to about 60° C. per minute to a sintering temperature of between from about 1600 to about 2300° C., and holding at said sintering temperature for a holding time of from about 5 to about 60 minutes at a pressure of between from about 20 to about 100 MPa.

Abstract: Methods of producing doped and undoped yttrium aluminum garnet and yttrium aluminum perovskite containing powders and the powders produced thereby are provided. Additionally, methods of forming doped and undoped polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet having a mean grain size of between about 1 ?m to about 3 ?m and the yttrium aluminum garnet produced thereby are provided. The doped and undoped polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet may be formed by sintering a compact and subsequently hot isostatically pressing the compact.

Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a smoothly surfaced, secondarily bonded, ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a secondarily bonded CMC layer by forming a CMC prepreg layer comprising a woven ceramic fabric layer impregnated with a pre-ceramic slurry and layering the prepreg layer with a flexible insulation blanket. The blanket and prepreg layer are then compressed such that the prepreg layer abuts a rigid smoothly surfaced plate and the ceramic material is cured by heating while under compression. Pressure is then released and the insulation is fired to sinter the ceramic material of the CMC layer.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for use in production of paving tiles, construction tiles, flooring in offices, flooring in machinery plants and so forth is obtained by a method comprising steps of mixing defatted bran derived from rice bran with a thermosetting resin before kneading, subjecting a kneaded mixture thus obtained to a primary firing in an inert gas at a temperature in a range of 700 to 1000° C., pulverizing the kneaded mixture after the primary firing into carbonized powders, kneading the carbonized powders with which ceramic powders, a solvent, and a binder as desired are mixed into a plastic workpiece (kneaded mass), pressure-forming the plastic workpiece at pressure in a range of 10 to 100 MPa, and subjecting a formed plastic workpiece thus obtained again to firing in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature in a range of 100 to 1400° C.

Abstract: The volume resistivity of a body consisting essentially of aluminum nitride is reduced by exposing the body to a soak temperature of at least about 1000° C. in an atmosphere deficient in nitrogen, such as an atmosphere consisting essentially of argon. The body can be, for example, a green body of aluminum nitride powder of a densified, or sintered body, such as a polycrystalline body. An electrostatic chuck has an electrode within a chuck body. A first portion of the chuck body, at a first side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity less than about 1×1013 ohm·cm at about 23° C. A second portion of the body, at a second side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity within one order of magnitude that of the first portion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor wafer support chuck apparatus having a first sintered layer and a second sintered layer. The method comprising the steps of providing the first sintered layer having a plurality of gas distribution ports and providing the second sintered layer having a plurality of grooves. The first sintered layer is stacked on top of the second sintered layer, where a diffusion bonding layer is disposed between the first sintered layer and the second sintered layer. Thereafter, the stacked first and second sintered layers are resintered such that the diffusion bonding layer joins the first and second sintered layers together to form a semiconductor wafer support apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a process of manufacturing a bio-ceramic ball, the process including the steps of pulverizing a raw material containing 35% of coal sludge remaining after ion milling, 15% of a ceramic material consisting of quartz, 5% of peridot having evening emerald components, 4% of emerald which is a green precious stone and 41% of approximately 40 sorts of other minerals, including elvan, into less than or equal to 700 mesh, mixing the pulverized raw material with extracts containing 30% of pine leaves, 20% of mugwort, 15% of motherwort, 10% of Polygoni multiflori Radix and 25% of approximately 30 sorts of other plant medicines, and agitating in a tank, primarily heating the mixed and agitated materials in a crucible at a temperature of approximately 1300° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dielectric ceramic composition comprising at least a main component of BaTiO3, a second subcomponent as represented by (Ba, Ca)xSiO2+x (where, x=0.8 to 1.2), and other subcomponents. The main component and at least part of the subcomponents except the second subcomponent are mixed to prepare a pre-calcination powder and the pre-calcination powder is calcined to prepare a calcined powder. The second subcomponent is at least mixed in the calcined powder to obtain a dielectric ceramic composition having a ratio of each subcomponent to the main component of BaTiO3 of a predetermined molar ratio.

Abstract: Method of making a ceramic core for casting an industrial gas turbine engine airfoil having a large airfoil pitch by forming a precursor core (chill) of smaller dimensions than the final desired ceramic core, firing the chill, applying a thin ceramic skin to the fired chill to form a coated core of final dimensions, and then firing the coated core. Firing of the thin ceramic skin reduces airfoil pitch shrinkage resulting from the latter firing operation to reduce overall core dimensional tolerance variations.