Abstract: For a substrate having fine convexoconcave patterns on its surface, the dimensions of the convexoconcave patterns in a vertical direction of a quartz glass substrate are controlled to be uniform with extreme accuracy and over the entire substrate surface. The quartz glass substrate is made to have a fictive temperature distribution of at most 40° C. and a halogen concentration of less than 400 ppm, and the etching rate of the surface of the quartz glass substrate is made uniform, whereby the dimensions of the convexoconcave patterns in a vertical direction of the quartz glass substrate are controlled to be uniform with good accuracy and over the entire substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention is related to optical particles (10), use of optical particles in sensing applications, and methods of fabricating optical particles that can target a desired analyte. The invention is also related to the self assembly of individual optical particles. An advantage of the invention is that it includes self-assembling individual photonic crystal sensors onto a target. In an embodiment of the invention, a processed sensor structure having two generally opposing surfaces is provided, wherein each of the opposing surfaces have different surface affinities, with a first optical structure formed on one of the opposing surfaces, and a second optical structure formed on the other of the opposing surfaces. The chemically and optically asymmetric opposing surfaces will spontaneously align at an organic liquid/water interface. Changes in the optical response of at least one of the opposing surfaces indicate the presence of a particular analyte for sensing applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid material, its use and its production process. The hybrid material comprises a polymer with acid groups. The inorganic part of the said hybrid material is constituted by the combination of at least two metal oxide components, whereof at least one comprises a functional group permitting an interaction and a spatial relationship with the acid groups of the polymer.

Abstract: Low dielectric materials and films comprising same have been identified for improved performance when used as interlevel dielectrics in integrated circuits as well as methods for making same. These materials are characterized as having a dielectric constant (?) a dielectric constant of about 3.7 or less; a normalized wall elastic modulus (E0?), derived in part from the dielectric constant of the material, of about 15 GPa or greater; and a metal impurity level of about 500 ppm or less. Low dielectric materials are also disclosed having a dielectric constant of less than about 1.95 and a normalized wall elastic modulus (E0?), derived in part from the dielectric constant of the material, of greater than about 26 GPa.

Abstract: A porous, heat-insulating shaped body, obtained by tempering a material mixture having a weight ratio of 1:1, wherein the mixture includes a silicate such as, for example, natural or expanded perlite, natural or furnace slag pumice, expanding clay, or expanding glass, and an inorganic component selected such that the melting point for the mixture of silicate and inorganic component is in the range of a sintering temperature of the silicate and that a gas is furthermore released from the inorganic component in this temperature range. The porous, heat-insulating shaped body functions to control moisture when used in the form of a heat-insulating board or in the form of an admixture for building materials.

Abstract: The invention provides new composite materials containing aerogels blended with thermoplastic polymer materials at a weight ratio of aerogel to thermoplastic polymer of less than 20:100. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability. The composite materials also have better flexibility and less brittleness at low temperatures than the parent thermoplastic polymer materials.

Abstract: A support for solid phase extraction is provided for preventing the fracture of the porous body of the support and the space between the porous body and its container, and for processing various amounts of liquids to be processed while maintaining the ease of passage of liquid in use. The support for solid phase extraction comprises a ceramic substrate with one or more holes formed therein, and an inorganic porous material, filled in the hole or holes, which is produced by sol-gel transition accompanied by phase transition.

Abstract: An optical multilayer film comprising a hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer comprising aerogel, which layers are laminated, in this order, directly or with another intervening layer on one surface of a base film comprising a transparent resin, wherein the refractive index nH of the hard coat layer and the refractive index nL of the low refractive index layer satisfy the following three formulae [1], [2] and [3], 1.25?nL?1.37 Formula [1] nH?1.53 Formula [2] (nH)1/2?0.2<nL<(nH)1/2+0.2. Formula [3.

Abstract: A ceramic structure having a scaffold with at least one opening and at least one porous filler material at least partially filling the at least one opening is described. The porous ceramic filler includes a plurality of pores. The pores have an average size in a range from about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The plurality of pores includes at least one pore architecture. For each pore architecture, the average pore size does not vary by more than about 100% when the average pore size is in a range from about 2 nm to about 50 nm, and the average pore size does not vary by more than about 50% when the average pore size is greater than about 50 nm. The plurality of pores includes at least two pore architectures when the porous filler material is silica. Also described is a method of making the ceramic structure.

Abstract: A laminated zeolite composite is provided, including a MFI membrane constituted by a MFI type zeolite having a SiO2/Al2O3 (molar ratio) of 40 to 100, and a porous substrate constituted by a MFI type zeolite having a SiO2/Al2O3 (molar ratio) of 20 to 400, wherein the MFI membrane is formed on the porous substrate. The composite has high separation characteristics and high permeability.

Abstract: A method for chemically etching of a foam glass layer to provide at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The method utilizes a substrate with at least one major surface suitable for receiving a glass layer. At least one layer of a glass paste composition in then applied onto the major surface of the substrate. The substrate and glass paste composition are then heated to a temperature sufficient enough to obtain a foam glass layer bonded to the major surface of the substrate. At least a portion of the foam glass layer is chemically etched to obtain at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The chemical etching of the foam glass layer results in an anisotropic etching rate.

Abstract: A curable coating composition for forming a thermal insulating layer, the composition comprising: (a) highly porous particles of a material obtained by drying a wet sol-gel, the particles having a porosity of at least 80% and a particle size in the range from 5 ?m to 4.

Abstract: A ceramic composite body includes at least two layers: material layer A and material layer B. Material layer A contains phases of a metal and the carbide of this metal. Material layer B contains silicon carbide that has been loosely bound by sintering. A method for fabricating the composite body is included and a protective armor against projectiles.

Abstract: The application discloses methods of plasma treatment that employ an ion sheath in a capacitively-coupled system to increase the hydrophilicity of porous articles, including microporous articles having pore sizes of 0.05 to 1.5 micrometers, both on their surfaces and in their pores such that the articles' bulk wetting properties are improved.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution for forming a doped gel monolith includes providing a first substance including a metal alkoxide. The method further includes providing a second substance including a catalyst. The method further includes providing a chemical including a dopant. The method further includes forming a solution including the dopant, said forming including mixing the first substance and the second substance together. The method further includes cooling the solution to a mixture temperature which is at or below zero degrees Celsius, wherein the solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature than at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a microporous ceramic material and includes the steps of (a) preparing a starting material for firing comprising a nonoxide ceramic precursor containing silicon as an essential component; (b) heating the starting material for firing in an atmosphere containing at least 1 mol % of hydrogen so as to form microporous ceramic product; and (c) cooling the microporous ceramic product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite insulation material. The composite insulation material includes a syntactic foam component and a plurality of aerogel inserts. The present invention also relates to a method of making a composite insulation material. The present invention further relates to a method for enhancing the flexibility of a solid material.

Abstract: Layered silicate materials and applications are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features layered silicate materials having pores that run generally perpendicular to the layers. In another aspect, the invention features composite materials including layered framework materials (e.g., layered silicate materials, layered Aluminophosphate materials, layered tin sulfides) having pores or openings that run generally perpendicular to the layers.

Abstract: A nanostructure is a porous body comprising a plurality of pillar-shaped pores and a region surrounding them, said region being an oxide amorphous region formed so as to contain C, Si, Ge or a material of a combination of them. Such a nanostructure can be used as functional material that can be used for light emitting devices, optical devices and microdevices. It can also be used as filter.

Abstract: There are provided a porous material and a process for producing the same. The porous material has a plurality of columnar pores and an area surrounding the pores, and the area is an amorphous area containing C, Si, Ge or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Thermostructural composite structure having a compositional gradient, formed from a porous core (5) made of a refractory having a pore volume content of greater than or equal to 80%. The core (5) lies between two intermediate layers (6a, 6b) comprising the carbon fiber reinforcement, densified by a matrix composed of the carbon phase and of a ceramic phase, and a refractory solid filler. Two monolithic ceramic shells (7a, 7b) cover the intermediate layers in order to give stiffness to the entire structure.

Abstract: A nanostructured apparatus may include a mesoporous template having an array of regularly-spaced pores. One or more layers of material may conformally coat the walls to a substantially uniform thickness. Such an apparatus can be used in a variety of devices including optoelectronic devices, e.g., light emitting devices (such as LEDs, and lasers) and photovoltaic devices (such as solar cells) optical devices (luminescent, electro-optic, and magnetooptic waveguides, optical filters, optical switches, amplifies, laser diodes, multiplexers, optical couplers, and the like), sensors, chemical devices (such as catalysts) and mechanical devices (such as filters for filtering gases or liquids).

Abstract: An open-celled, inorganic foam based on an aluminosilicate and having a density of less than 25 g/l can be prepared by reacting and foaming an alkali metal silicate solution with an alkali metal aluminate solution in the presence of a volatile blowing agent and an emulsifier.

Abstract: A method of forming a gel monolith includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming the gel monolith.

Abstract: A porous ceramic laminate has a porous silicon nitride substrate and a porous silicon nitride separation film supported thereon and having minute pores of sizes capable of Knudsen separation or molecular sieve by sintering a porous silicon nitride substrate supporting a formed layer containing polysilazane at 800° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: Mesoporous silica is shown to be a sample holder for laser desorption/ionization of mass spectrometry. Supported mesoporous silica was prepared by coating an ethanolic silicate solution having a removable surfactant onto a substrate to produce a self-assembled, ordered, nanocomposite silica thin film. The surfactant was chosen to provide a desired pore size between about 1 nanometer diameter and 50 nanometers diameter. Removal of the surfactant resulted in a mesoporous silica thin film on the substrate. Samples having a molecular weight below 1000, such as C60 and tryptophan, were adsorbed onto and into the mesoporous silica thin film sample holder and analyzed using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A process provides a ceramic film, such as a mesoporous silica film, on a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. The process includes preparing a film-forming fluid containing a ceramic precursor, a catalyst, a surfactant and a solvent, depositing the film-forming fluid on the substrate, and removing the solvent from the film-forming fluid on the substrate to produce the ceramic film on the substrate. The ceramic film has a dielectric constant below 2.3, a halide content of less than 1 ppm and a metal content of less than 500 ppm, making it useful for current and future microelectronics applications.

Abstract: An abradable coating composition for use on shrouds in gas turbine engines or other hot gas path metal components exposed to high temperatures containing an initial porous coating phase created by adding an amount of inorganic microspheres, preferably alumina-ceramic microballoons, to a base metal alloy containing high Al, Cr or Ti such as ?-NiAl or, alternatively, MCrAlY that serves to increase the brittle nature of the metal matrix, thereby increasing the abradability and oxidation resistance of the coating at elevated temperatures. Coatings having a total open and closed porosity of between 20% and 55% by volume due to the presence of ceramic microballoons ranging in size from about 10 microns to about 200 microns have been found to exhibit excellent abradability for applications involving turbine shroud coatings. An abradable coating thickness in the range of between 40 and 60 ml provides improved performance for turbine shrouds exposed to gas temperatures between 1380° F. and 1800° F.

Abstract: A substantially infinitely water-dilutable resole (P:F) resin solution useful for preparing an aqueous binder composition and the related method of its use for making glass fiber products, especially fiberglass insulation.

Abstract: A flexible seal for use in a solid oxide fuel cell stack is formed from a fiber matrix impregnated with a plurality of solid particles. The fibers and particles are preferably ceramic and may be formed from alumina or zirconia. The seal may be formed by dipping the fiber matrix into a slurry of the particles in an alcohol, drying the seal and precompressing prior to installation in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting a mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable component having thermally labile groups with an oxidizing gas in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst formulation which exhibits extended catalyst life. The formulation comprises a mixture of a ceramic foam material uniformly interspersed between the solid catalyst particles, with the volume percent of ceramic material in the mixture preferably ranging from 20 to 60 volume %. The catalyst formulation is particularly applicable to solid catalyst particles comprised of a phosphoric acid impregnated substrate, and is particularly useful for processes such as catalytic hydrocarbon condensation processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material that contains 5 to 97%-vol aerogel particles, at least one binder, and at least one fibre material, the diameter of the aerogel particles being ?0.5 mm, a process for manufacturing this, and the use thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a xerogel monolith having a pore diameter distribution includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming a wet gel monolith. The method further includes forming the xerogel monolith by drying the wet gel monolith.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heat-stable ordered mesoporous or mesostructured material comprising a mineral phase wherein are dispersed particles of nanometric dimension at least partly crystaline, the global crystallinity index of said mesostructured or ordered mesoporous material being less than 10% in volume. The invention also concern a method for obtaining such a material.

Abstract: Layered silicate materials and applications are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features layered silicate materials having pores that run generally perpendicular to the layers. In another aspect, the invention features composite materials including layered framework materials (e.g., layered silicate materials, layered Aluminophosphate materials, layered tin sulfides) having pores or openings that run generally perpendicular to the layers.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites contain bundles, tows or hanks of long fibers, wherein the long fiber bundles, tows or hanks are completely surrounded by a short fiber-reinforced matrix, with the long and short fibers having, independently of one another, a mean diameter of from 4 to 12 &mgr;m and the long fibers having a mean length of at least 50 mm and the short fibers having a mean length of not more than 40 mm, a process for producing them and their use for producing clutch disks or brake disks.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making and using thin films of porous silica substrates to synthesize arrays of polymers. Methods are also provided for assaying such polymers on porous silica substrates. The porous silica substrates offer an increase in array density and signal enhancement over conventional flat glass substrates. Examples of polymers that can be synthesized and assayed include biological polymers such as nucleic acids, polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. Arrays of nucleic acids or polynucleotides can be used for a variety of hybridization-based experiments such as nucleic acid sequence analysis, nucleic acid expression monitoring, nucleic acid mutation detection, speciation, effects of drug therapy on nucleic acid expression, among others.

Abstract: A diffusion barrier multi-layer structure for a TFT LCD by the LTPS process and the process for fabricating thereof are disclosed. By increasing the coarseness between two layers of the diffusion barrier multi-layer structure with a plasma treatment, or by forming a loose and porous impurity collecting layer between two layers of the diffusion barrier multi-layer structure to trap the impurity atoms, the impurity diffusion can be effectively obstructed.

Abstract: A composition comprising a siloxane resin, a silicon compound substantially consisting of silicon, carbon and hydrogen, wherein the number ratio of carbon to silicon atoms forming an —X— bond (wherein X is (C)m (where m is an integer in the range of from 1 to 3), or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group with 9 or less carbon atoms) in the main chain of one molecule is in the range of from 2:1 to 12:1, and a solvent, is subjected to a heat treatment to form a low dielectric constant film. Accordingly, a low dielectric constant film having excellent resistance against chemicals and excellent moisture resistance is provided. A semiconductor integrated circuit having a fast response can be produced by using the film.

Abstract: A composition comprising a siloxane resin, a silicon compound substantially consisting of silicon, carbon and hydrogen, wherein the number ratio of carbon to silicon atoms forming an —X— bond (wherein X is (C)m (where m is an integer in the range of from 1 to 3), or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group with 9 or less carbon atoms) in the main chain of one molecule is in the range of from 2:1 to 12:1, and a solvent, is subjected to a heat treatment to form a low dielectric constant film. Accordingly, a low dielectric constant film having excellent resistance against chemicals and excellent moisture resistance is provided. A semiconductor integrated circuit having a fast response can be produced by using the film.

Abstract: A porous, low-k dielectric film that has good mechanical properties as well as a method of fabricating the film and the use of the film as a dielectric layer between metal wiring features are provided. The porous, low-k dielectric film includes a first phase of monodispersed pores having a diameter of from about 1 to about 10 nm that are substantially uniformly spaced apart and are essentially located on sites of a three-dimensional periodic lattice; and a second phase which is solid surrounding the first phase. Specifically, the second phase of the film includes (i) an ordered element that is composed of nanoparticles having a diameter of from about 1 to about 10 nm that are substantially uniformly spaced apart and are essentially arranged on sites of a three-dimensional periodic lattice, and (ii) a disordered element comprised of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 2.8 or less.

Abstract: An optical communication device substrate made of ceramic or glass-ceramic having a negative thermal expansion coefficient in the range of −10 to −120×10−7/° C. in a temperature range of −40 to 100° C., treated with a solution containing at least one organic silicon compound selected from the group consisting of siloxane compounds and silazane compounds.

Abstract: Shaped body based on polycrystalline SiC and having a density of greater than 90% of its theoretical density and an adherent graphite layer on its surface, wherein the graphite layer is crystalline, has a thickness of 0.1-100 &mgr;m and has been produced by thermal surface decomposition of the SiC after it has been sintered to closed porosity.

Abstract: A fluid control device has very fine pores with an average diameter not greater than 10 nm and provides a large flux. The fluid control device comprises an anodized alumina film having fine pores and a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores and made from an AlSi mixed film and the fine pores and the very fine pores are at least partly linked with each other. The fluid control device is prepared from a film including at least an aluminum layer and an AlSi mixed film by forming an anodized alumina film having fine pores by way of an anodization process for the aluminum layer part and also forming a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores containing silicon as principal ingredient by way of an anodization process or etching process for the AlSi mixed film. The fluid control device can be used as filter or ultrafilter film that allows fluid and gas to pass through it.

Abstract: A coloured porous material comprising in its pores an effectively colouring amount of an organic pigment which is obtainable by fragmenting a meltable or solvent-soluble pigment precursor, and a process for its preparation. The instant coloured porous material powders are used as pigments for high molecular weight organic materials.

Abstract: A method of making biopreform from the stem of monocotyledonous caudex plant, that is suitable for liquid infiltration and gaseous transportation of materials, is disclosed. Wood from caudex stem of trees such as coconut (Cocos nucifera), palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), date palm (Phoenics dactylifera), is used as a precursor material which is transformed under simple pyrolitic conditions under self-generated ambient atmosphere to biopreform having microstructural features typical of a monocotyledonous caudex tree. The biopreform is capable of liquid infiltration and gaseous transportation processing of materials in an appreciably shorter processing periods, because of its preservation of the structural and anatomical features of the parent plants with high precision.