Abstract: A microwave heating system for continuously heating a plurality of articles and process for using the same are provided. The microwave system includes a thermalization zone for thermalizing the articles to a substantially uniform temperature, a microwave heating zone for increasing the temperature of the articles by at least about 50° C., and a quench zone for cooling the articles after heating. The heating can be carried out at a rate of at least 25° C. per minute. The system also includes at least one conveyance system for transporting the articles through each of the thermalization, microwave heating, and quench zones. The system can be commercial-sized and may have an overall production rate of at least 20 packages per minute per convey line.

Abstract: A method for heating a plurality of articles according to a prescribed heating profile is provided. The method includes heating a first test article in a small-scale microwave heating system and, based on the value of one or more parameters determined during this small-scale heating, determining a prescribed heating profile for the test article. Suitable parameters can include for example, net power discharged, sequential microwave distribution, average temperature and flow rate of the fluid in the heating chamber, and residence time. The heating profile can then be used to control a commercial-scale microwave heating system used to heat a plurality of similar articles.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured to heat a plurality of articles and a process for using the same are provided. The microwave heating system includes a liquid-filled thermalization zone, a liquid-filled microwave heating zone, and a pressure lock system disposed therebetween. The pressure lock system includes a pair of locking gate valves and a pressure adjustment chamber configured to transition the articles being heated from the thermalization zone to the microwave heating zone, which may be operated at different pressures.

Abstract: A microwave system for heating a plurality of articles and a method of using the same is provided. The microwave heating system comprises at least three microwave launchers and at least three microwave allocation devices for dividing the microwave energy into at least three separate portions. Each allocation device is configured to divide the microwave energy passing therethrough according to a predetermined ratio, and at least one of the allocation devices is configured to divide the microwave energy according to a predetermined ratio that is not 1:1. The resulting energy portions can then be discharged into the microwave heating chamber via the launchers and used to heat a plurality of articles, including foodstuffs, medical fluids, or medical instruments, disposed within the heating chamber.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured to heat a plurality of articles is provided. The microwave heating system can include one or more microwave launchers that define at least one launch opening having a depth of not more than about 0.625 ?, wherein ? is the predominant wavelength of the microwave energy passing through the launcher. Additionally, in some embodiments, the launch opening may have a width or depth that is less than the corresponding inlet dimension, such that the microwave launcher has a generally tapered profile. When the microwave launcher includes a single inlet and two or more launch openings, the center points of adjacent outlets may be laterally spaced from one another relative to the direction in which the articles are passed through the heating chamber.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured for heating a plurality of articles is provided. One or more of the microwave launchers can be offset slightly, such that the microwave energy introduced into the heating chamber is discharged at a launch tilt angle of at least 2°. Additionally, each launcher can include a microwave-transparent window disposed between the microwave chamber and the one or more launch openings and at least 50 percent of the chamber-side surface of the window can be oriented at an angle of at least 2° from the horizontal.

Abstract: A furnace comprises a cage holding and supporting an insulation pack comprising one or more base boards, one or more top boards and a plurality of side boards each of rigid carbon fiber based insulation material, the one or more base boards, one or more top boards, and plurality of side boards defining a cavity between them. A flexible carbon felt is disposed between the side boards and the cage.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash and a tricalcium aluminate additive. In some examples, the reactive powder comprises less than 5% by weight portland cement. The tricalcium aluminate is present in an amount of 0.5% or greater by weight of the reactive powder. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash, calcium sulfoaluminate cement, and less than 10% by weight portland cement. In some examples, the composition is substantially free from alkanolamines. In some examples, the ratio of water to reactive powder is from 0.06:1 to less than 0.2:1. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: A tissue implant member for implanting in living tissue is provided. The implant is formed of a fibrous mat of tantalum filament having a diameter less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: Retardant-free inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The methods include mixing reactants comprising a reactive powder and an activator in the presence of water and forming an inorganic polymer product. In some examples, the method includes continuously feeding the resultant mixture to produce the inorganic polymer product. Also described herein are mixtures and inorganic polymer compositions. Further described are building materials formed according to the methods.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, optionally a retardant, and water. The reactive powder includes 85% by weight or greater fly ash. The ratio of water to reactive powder is from 0.06:1 to less than 0.15:1. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: Methods of producing inorganic polymer products are described herein. The methods include mixing reactants comprising a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant for a mixing time of 15 seconds or less to provide a reaction mixture and forming the reaction mixture into a product. Also described herein are building materials formed according to the methods.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash and calcium aluminate cement in an amount of 5% by weight or greater of the reactive powder. The reactive powder can include less than 8% by weight of portland cement. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, anhydrous calcium sulfate, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash and no more than 10% by weight portland cement. The anhydrous calcium sulfate is present in an amount of 2% or greater by weight of the reactive powder. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: A containment system, for instance, for containment of heat and/or chemical gases, is described, for instance, carbon-based containment systems that can include an insulation segment, a shield segment, and/or a divider segment, wherein each can be a plurality of panels, such as wall panels, that form walls.

Abstract: Several ceramic armor systems are provided herein. One such system is a ceramic armor system for personnel. Such system includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate. A backing is bonded to the exposed face of the shock-absorbing layer. A second such system is a ceramic armor system for vehicles. Such system also includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic plate has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate.

Abstract: A wildfire suppressor made from a composite mixture bonded by a resin. The suppressor may be cylindrically shaped so that it wraps around a wooden utility pole or it may be a flat sheet adapted to be used under shingles or siding on a house or other suitable building. The fire suppressor comprises two layers. The first layer is adapted to reflect heat and is located on the outer portion of the sheet. The second layer is located closer to the object being protected. Above a certain predetermined temperature the second layer undergoes a chemical reaction to help protect the pole, building, or other object being protected.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: An improved ceramic armor system comprising a ceramic component and a diamond powder based slurry bonded to a strike surface of the ceramic component, the diamond powder based slurry including a diamond powder and a base selected from the group consisting of a silicate and a phosphate base.