Abstract: Disclosed are barrier coatings for fused silica components used in semiconductor processing. In particular, the present disclosure concerns protective substrate-barrier coatings composed of corrosion-resilient metal compounds which provide superior resistance to erosion/corrosion when a coated substrate is subjected to the acidic environments at elevated temperatures typical for semiconductor processing.

Abstract: A ceramic dielectric composition suitable for preparing capacitors for use in high-temperature service conditions is disclosed. The ceramic material and capacitors made from it exhibit unique and heretofore unrealizable properties including low variation in capacitance with voltage up to high fields, low variation in capacitance with temperature over a broad temperature range, retained high permittivity at temperatures up to 200° C. and beyond, low loss, low field-induced strain and adequate capacitance to retain performance at very low service temperatures. The material is based on sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) with selected additions of substituents and dopants to broaden and flatten its dielectric response, lower loss, lower strain, lower voltage coefficient and increase resistivity.

Abstract: An optical glass consisting essentially of B2O3 in an amount of 10-40 wt %, SiO2 in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, ZnO in an amount less than or equal to 15 wt %, SrO in an amount less than or equal to 9 wt %, ZrO2 in an amount less than or equal to 9 wt %, La2O3 in an amount of 15 to 45 wt %, BaF2 in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, BaO in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, HfO2 in an amount of 0.1 to 7.5 wt %, Gd2O3 in an amount less than or equal to 16 wt %, CaO in an amount less than or equal to 7 wt %, ZrF4 in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, Na2O in an amount less than or equal to 2 wt % and Y2O3 in an amount less than or equal to 16 wt %. The optical glass has a glass transition temperature in a range of 500-670° C. and a refractive index (nd) in a range of 1.60 to 2.00.

Abstract: An optical glass consisting essentially of B2O3 in an amount of 10-40 wt %, SiO2 in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, ZnO in an amount less than or equal to 15 wt %, SrO in an amount less than or equal to 9 wt %, ZrO2 in an amount less than or equal to 9 wt %, La2O3 in an amount of 15 to 45 wt %, BaF2 in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, BaO in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, HfO2 in an amount of 0.1 to 7.5 wt %, Gd2O3 in an amount less than or equal to 16 wt %, CaO in an amount less than or equal to 7 wt %, ZrF4 in an amount less than or equal to 5 wt %, Na2O in an amount less than or equal to 2 wt % and Y2O3 in an amount less than or equal to 16 wt %. The optical glass has a glass transition temperature in a range of 500-670° C. and a refractive index (nd) in a range of 1.60 to 2.00.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte material having increased ionic conductivity and suppressed electronic conductivity is provided. The composite electrolyte includes a first material exhibiting both ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and a second material having electron trapping sites on the outer surface thereof. The first material is coated on the second material, or the second material is dispersed within the first material, and an electron depletion zone is created at interfaces between the first and second materials. The electrons trapped in the electron depletion zone do not contribute to the electronic conductivity of the composite electrolyte, and the ratio of ionic conductivity to electronic conductivity of the composite electrolyte is higher than that of the first material alone.

Abstract: A method for accelerating protein crystallization on a substrate is provided, including the steps of providing a coating layer comprising a colloidal solution containing inert particles on at least one discrete testing portion of a testing substrate to provide at least one coated portion, and drying the coated portion so that the coated portion has an enhanced surface topography defined by the characteristics of the coating layer. A supersaturated protein solution is applied to the coated portion, and the testing substrate is placed in an incubator for crystallization, and the growth rate of the protein crystals is accelerated during incubation due to the enhanced surface topography of the at least one coated portion. The testing substrate is evaluated to determine the degree of protein crystallization until crystallization in complete, and the protein crystals are subsequently removed from the testing substrate subjected to specific characterization testing.

Abstract: A susceptor for a microwave hybrid heating system is provided, including a hollow member made of a heat resistant material that does not substantially absorb or reflect microwave energy at room temperature and a substance contained within the hollow member. The substance substantially immediately couples to microwave energy at room temperature to form a plasma that emits radiant energy substantially immediately. A microwave hybrid heating system and a continuous microwave hybrid heating system including at least one susceptor according to the present invention are provided, as well as a method for sintering ceramic members using a microwave hybrid heating system according to the present invention.

Abstract: A susceptor for a microwave hybrid heating system is provided, including a hollow member comprising a heat resistant material that does not substantially absorb or reflect microwave energy at room temperature and a substance contained within the hollow member. The substance substantially immediately couples to microwave energy at room temperature to form a plasma that emits radiant energy substantially immediately. A microwave hybrid heating system and a continuous microwave hybrid heating system including at least one susceptor according to the present invention are provided, as well as a method for sintering ceramic members using a microwave hybrid heating system according to the present invention.

Abstract: A bullet-proof fabric containing a first layer of high-strength fabric, a first layer of ceramic material below the first layer of high-strength fabric, and a second layer of high-strength fabric disposed below the first layer of ceramic material. The first layer ceramic material contains a multiplicity of ceramic structures, each of which has a first orifice extending through it, and a means for fastening the ceramic structure disposed within the orifice.

Abstract: A process for producing ultra-fine particles of calcia-stabilized zirconia in which a precursor mixture (which contains from about 80 to about 96 mole percent of zirconium ion, from about 20 to about 4 mole percent of calcium ion, a nitrogen-containing fuel, and a solvent) is dried and then subjected to a temperature of from about 275 to about 750 degrees centigrade and an atmosphere with a relative humidity of less than about 60 percent, thereby causing the dried particles to react in a vigorous manner and to form a combusted powder.

Abstract: A process for producing a sintered body from untra-fine superconductive particles. In the first step of this process, a ceramic precursor material containing yttrium, barium and copper cations, a nitrogen-containing material, a solvent, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the nitrogen-containing material, is provided; the nitrogen-containing material contains at least three nitrogen atoms, at least one oxygen atom, and at least one carbon atom. In the second step of the process, droplets of such ceramic precursor material are formed. In the third step of the process, the droplets are dried until particles which contain less than about 15 weight percent of solvent are produced. In the fourth step of this process, such particles are ignited in an atmosphere which contains substantially less than about 60 weight percent of the solvent's saturation value in such atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for producing ultra-fine barium hexaferrite particles. In the first step of this process, a ceramic precursor material containing barium and trivalent ferric cations, a nitrogen-containing material, a solvent, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the nitrogen-containing material, is provided. In the second step of the process, droplets of such ceramic precursor material are formed. In the third step of the process, the droplets are dried until particles which contain less than about 15 weight percent of solvent are produced. In the fourth step of this process, such particles are ignited in an atmosphere which contains substantially less than about 60 weight percent of the solvent's saturation value in such atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for producing ultra-fine yttrium-iron-garnet particles. In the first step of this process, a ceramic precursor material containing yettrium and ferric cations, a nitrogen-containing material, a solvent, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the nitrogen-containing material, is provided. In the second step of the process, droplets of such ceramic precursor material are formed. In the third step of the process, the droplets are dried until particles which contain less than about 15 weight percent of solvent are produced. In the fourth step of this process, such particles are ignited in an atmosphere which contains substantially less than about 60 weight percent of the solvent's saturation value in such atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for producing ultra-fine barium titanate particles. In the first step of this process, a ceramic precursor material containing a metal cation, a nitrogen-containing material, a solvent, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the nitrogen-containing material, is provided; the nitrogen-containing material contains at least three nitrogen atoms, at least one oxygen atom, and at least one carbon atom. In the second step of the process, droplets of such ceramic precursor material are formed. In the third step of the process, the droplets are dried until particles which contain less than about 15 weight percent of solvent are produced. In the fourth step of this process, such particles are ignited in an atmosphere which contains substantially less than about 60 weight percent of the solvent's saturation value in such atmosphere.

Abstract: In accordance this invention, there is provided a process for making a bulk superconductive material. In the first step of this process, a diffusion couple is formed from superconductor oxide and impurity oxide. Thereafter, the diffusion couple is heated to a temperature in excess of 800 degrees Centigrade, cooled at a controlled rate, and annealed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, storing, and delivering direct current electrical energy to a load which contains a fuel cell, a superconducting magnetic energy storage device, a switch electrically connected between the fuel cell and the superconducting magnetic storage device, and a converter for modifying at least one of the electrical characteristics of the direct current electrical energy.

Abstract: A laser vibrometer which includes a laser, a laser beam splitter, two reflectors, an optical processor which includes two optical sensors, a digitizer for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, a flip-flop circuit, and a counter.

Abstract: A process for producing ultra-fine ceramic particles in which droplets are formed from a ceramic precursor mixture containing a metal cation, a nitrogen-containing fuel, a solvent, and an anion capable of participating in an anionic oxidation-reduction reaction with the nitrogen containing fuel. The nitrogen-containing fuel contains at least three nitrogen atoms, at least one oxygen atom, and at least one carbon atom. The ceramic precursor mixture is dried to remove at least 85 weight percent of the solvent, and the dried mixture is then ignited to form a combusted powder.

Abstract: A contactless electrical generator assembly containing a stator and a rotor located within the stator is disclosed. The stator is formed by at least one section of superconductive material and at least one electromagnetic coil. The interior surfaces of the stator preferably define a symmetrical shape. The rotor contains at least one magnetic section, and at least two nonmagnetic sections.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided a process for producing a shaped article in which a reaction mixture containing at least two elemental materials is first charged into a die to form a shaped green body. A uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch of cross-sectional area of the green body is then uniaxially applied to the green body, and the green body is then ignited; during ignition, the uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch is maintained at a substantially constant level and continually applied to the reaction mixture.