Abstract: The invention is directed at an apparatus capable of the continuous drying of ceramic articles which produces little or no microwave radiation emission. The drying apparatus comprises comprise a microwave-heating chamber, for heating a ceramic, having an entrance and an exit end and a material flow axis along which the ceramic articles are conveyed. Positioned adjacent the entrance and exit ends of the microwave-heating chamber, respectively, are a first and second attenuation chamber each having an entrance and an exit end. An inlet chamber, having a material flow path, is connected to the entrance end of the first attenuation chamber with a portion of the material flow path disposed at an angle to the flow axis. Connected to the exit end of the second attenuation chamber is an outlet chamber having a second material flow path; again at least a portion of the material flow path is at an angle to the material flow axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a supported zeolite structure comprising substantially-sintered monolithic porous ceramic substrate having coated thereon a uniformly thin, essentially continuous zeolite crystal layer covering at least one surface and associated pores of the porous ceramic material. The zeolite crystal layer is comprised of a single layer of zeolite crystals and is free of any growth enhancing, selectivity enhancing, or reparation layer and exhibits an oriented structure whereby the crystals exhibit a substantially columnar cross-section. Preferably, the porous ceramic substrate support comprises, on an analyzed oxide basis, 10-90%, by weight alumina and exhibits a crystal phase assemblage selected from the group consisting of cordierite, mullite, alumina, and/or mixtures thereof. A method for forming a zeolite membrane disclosed herein is also provided.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprising a glass envelope having front and back members, at least one of the members having a continuous channel (22) formed in one surface, the channel including connected sections (24 and 26) having different dimensions, the members being hermetically joined to enclose the channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a leaded copper boroaluminosilicate glass, having coefficients of thermal expansion (CTES) of between 25-55×10−7/°C. (over a range of 25-300° C.) and a softening point in the range of 550-725° C., being suitable for use as a sealing glass, especially for borosilicate glasses, and having a composition consisting essentially, in terms of weight percent on an oxide basis, of 27-60 SiO2, 3-14 Al2O3, 9-28 B2O3, 0.0-10 R2O, 0.1-40 PbO, 0.1-11 CuO, where R2O is an alkali oxide selected from the group consisting of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, Rb2O and Cs2O.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic honeycomb article that exhibits an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) below about 5.0×10−7° C.−1, a total porosity between the range of 20% to about 30%, and a pore size distribution such that at least about 86% of pores are of a pore size of less than about 2 &mgr;m with the pores exhibiting a generally elongated shape oriented with their long axis in the plane of the webs, the article being made from a cordierite-forming inorganic powder batch comprising a platy talc having median particle of size less than about 2 &mgr;m, at least 4% by weight of a dispersible Al2O3-forming source having a specific surface area in excess of 50 m2/g, and one or more of the components of kaolin, calcined kaolin, silica, and corundum, each having a median particle sizes less than 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Zeolite/alumina composite, and a method for making, the composite for use as a catalyst substrate or catalyst carrier and comprising zeolite having a silica/alumina ratio of greater than 300 and gamma alumina having a specific surface area of greater than 100 m2/g. The zeolite/alumina composite exhibits a modulus of rupture of at least 750 psi. Additionally, the invention is also directed at a three catalyst (TWC) system for use in the removal of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen from waste gas, the TWC system comprising the following components: (1) a zeolite/alumina composite catalyst support exhibiting a modulus of rupture of at least 750 psi and having a zeolite with a silica/zeolite ratio of at least 300 and the alumina comprising a gamma alumina having a specific surface area of greater than 100 m2/g; and, (2) a noble metal catalyst impregnated on the catalyst support, the noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, iridium and palladium.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp in the shape of a conventional light bulb. The exterior and interior surfaces of the lamp are formed by the front and back surfaces of an envelope which defines a cavity whose surface is coated with phosphor. There is a gas discharge channel having at least two electrodes, is located within the cavity for receiving a discharge or ionizable gas. A ballast housed in the cavity is electrically connected to the two electrodes, and when connected to a screw-base, the base is in electrical contact with the ballast.

Abstract: This light scattering technique for size measurement is based on the fact that an illuminated particle (inclusion) serves as a secondary radiation source in a manner which is related to its size. This technique allows for detection of inclusions in the interior of a transparent sheet. When illuminated with a beam of monochromatic light such as a laser beam as the primary light source, the angular distribution of the scattered intensity originated from the inclusion in the micron to submicron range, is a function of intensity, wavelength and index of refraction. The primary beam of light passes through the sheet on a straight line path parallel to a horizontal axis. A detector positioned at an angle to the horizontal axis detects the secondary scattered light.

Abstract: An optical member includes a fused silica glass having a concentration of ≡SiH moiety below detection limit as measured by Raman spectroscopy and a concentration of molecular hydrogen of at least 1×1017 molecules/cm3. The fused silica glass exhibits an induced absorption level which quickly attains an initial peak upon exposure to irradiation and rapidly decays to a low value. The induced absorption level after decaying to the low value remains substantially unchanged by further irradiation.

Abstract: The invention is directed at sintered ceramic articles exhibiting a primary crystalline phase of cordierite and an analytical oxide composition, in weight percent, of 44-53% SiO2, 30-38 Al2O3, 11-16% MgO and 0.05 to 10% of a metal oxide. The ceramic article exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion in at least one direction no greater than about 15.0×10−7° C. over the temperature range of about 25° C. to about 800° C. The sum of the weight percentages of residual mullite, corundum, and spinel, as measured by X-ray diffractometry of the crushed and powdered body, is not greater than 15%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine wherein the converter exhibits a monolithic ceramic substrate surrounded by a supporting mat. The method generally includes the steps of: Forming a catalytic converter utilizing a compressive closing method generally involves wrapping the substrate in a sufficient amount of supporting mat material and inserting the wrapped substrate into generally cylindrical metal container, compressively closing the container around the wrapped substrate sufficiently to provide a gas tight seal and to hold the imparted compressive stress. The present invention further discloses an improvement involving compressively closing the container around the wrapped substrate by resizing the container over substantially the entire portion of its length which is occupied by the wrapped substrate to a predetermined metal shell/container outside diameter OD.

Abstract: An accelerated radiation damage testing method for an optical sample includes disposing the optical sample inside or external to an optical cavity and injecting a predetermined number of light pulses into the optical cavity at a selected wavelength and at spaced intervals. Each light pulse injected into the optical cavity produces a train of pulses which are focused on the optical sample. The method further includes allowing each light pulse in the optical cavity to decay to a selected value and determining a change in a selected optical property of the optical sample after the optical sample has been exposed to a predetermined number of pulses.

Abstract: These glass bodies are light weight porous structures such as a boules of high purity fused silica or ultra-low expansion glass. More specifically, the porous structures are supports for mirror blanks. Porous glass is made utilizing flame deposition of pure silica or doped silica in a manner similar to the production of high purity fused silica. Bubbles or seeds are formed in the glass during laydown. Several means of creating and controlling these seeds are available. The processes use incomplete combustion to create the bubbles. There are a number of different steps to create the incomplete combustion. One such step is a short distance between the hydrolysis flame and the glass precursor.

Abstract: This light scattering technique for size measurement is based on the fact that an illuminated particle (inclusion) serves as a secondary radiation source in a manner which is related to its size. This technique allows for detection of inclusions in the interior of transparent solid media, such as bulk glass. When illuminated with a beam of monochromatic light such as a laser beam as the primary light source, the angular distribution of the scattered intensity originated from the inclusion in the micron to submicron range, is a function of intensity, wavelength and index of refraction. A lens and light trap block the primary light for reaching a detector. The light trap, however, allows the secondary scattered light to reach the detector.

Abstract: A method for preparing high-purity, bulk fused silica includes supplying silane gas, a gaseous fuel, and oxygen gas to a combustion burner. Silica particles are formed by passing the silane gas into a flame formed by the combustion reaction of the gaseous fuel with the oxygen gas while maintaining the ratio of the flow rate of the gaseous fuel to the flow rate of the silane gas no less than twelve and the ratio of the flow rate of the gaseous fuel to the flow rate of the oxygen gas no less than three. The silica particles formed are immediately deposited onto a hot bait to form a boule.

Abstract: A method of replicating a nanoscale pattern which comprises forming the pattern on the outer surface of a cylindrical roller, providing a surface upon which the pattern is to be replicated, and transferring the nanoscale pattern from the cylindrical roller onto the surface to provide at least one replication of the pattern on that surface. The roller is adapted to carry the pattern on its outer surface and transfer the pattern to a substrate. The ultimate product may be a grating polarizer.

Abstract: A binder system for use in the formation of ceramic or other powder-formed greenware comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, a surfactant, and a component that is non-solvent with respect to the binder and solvent. The non-solvent component exhibits a lower viscosity than the solvent when containing the binder and comprises a low molecular weight oil having a 90% recovered distillation temperature range of between about 220 to 400° C. Also disclosed is a process of forming and shaping plasticized powder mixtures and a process for forming ceramic articles utilizing the binder system.

Abstract: In furnaces for producing high purity fused silica glass boules, glass particles have a tendency to build-up adjacent the burner hole rim. It was discovered that unburned furnace gases containing silica particles where re-circulated in the furnace close to the burner hole rim and reacted with the oxygen of infiltrated air adjacent the burner hole, and thus deposited such particles in the form of a glassy build-up about the rim of the burner hole. In order to eliminate the source of oxygen adjacent the burner hole rim, a curtain of an inert gas is caused to flow through the burner hole between the sidewalls of the burner hole and the flame of the burner. Accordingly, the curtain of inert gas inhibits the combustion of the unburned hydrogen and carbon monoxide furnace gases adjacent the exit rim of the burner hole and thereby minimizes glass build-up about the burner hole rim.

Abstract: An electrode assembly suitable for employment with low-pressure discharge lamps, and especially discharge lamps made from borosilicate glass. The electrode assembly comprises a hollow, stepped electrode holder having a tubular upper portion and a cylindrical lower portion comprising a tapered edge, and an electrode shell fastened to the tubular upper portion of the electrode holder. The electrode assembly may also further comprises a glass ring fused to the tapered edge of cylindrical lower portion of the electrode holder. The electrode assembly is suitable for use with low-pressure discharge lamps comprising glass tubes and low-pressure discharge lamps comprising envelopes having a gas-discharge channel. In a low-pressure discharge lamp, the electrode assembly of the present invention may be used as the discharge source, the evacuation and backfill site, and the seal site.

Abstract: A glass for tungsten halogen lamp glass envelopes, glass filter lenses, and glass filters consisting essentially in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, of about 50-62% SiO2, 10-17% Al2O3, 0-6% B2O3, 3.6-10% CaO, 0-7.5% MgO, 0.1-0.3% SrO, 2.4-18% BaO, 0-1% ZnO, 1-8% Nd2O3. The glass exhibits the following physical properties: strain point between about 665° C. to about 750° C., coefficient of thermal expansion to the set point of between about 49-59×10−7/° C., liquidus temperature below 1320° C., viscosity at liquidus temperature greater than 2,000 poises, and transmission at 585 nm of between 5-60% for a 1.2 mm thickness. The lamp color temperature for a tungsten halogen lamp containing a glass envelope, a glass filter lens, or a glass filter prepared from the glass composition is increased from about 3 to 7% above a similar glass with no Nd2O3, and the total visible lumen loss is limited to less than about 10%.