Abstract: A particulate material having a body including a first phase having at least about 70 wt % alumina for a total weight of the first phase, and a second phase comprising phosphorus, wherein the body includes at least about 0.1 wt % of the second phase for the total weight of the body, and wherein the second phase has an average grain size of not greater than about 1 micron.

Abstract: A high temperature bonded abrasive includes alumina abrasive grits, and a vitreous bond matrix in which the alumina abrasive grits are distributed, the vitreous bond matrix having a cure temperature not less than 1000° C. The alumina abrasive grits include polycrystalline alpha alumina having a fine crystalline microstructure characterized by an alpha alumina average domain size not greater than 500 nm, and the alumina abrasive grits further include a pinning agent that is a dispersed phase in the polycrystalline alpha alumina.

Abstract: A radiation detector can include both an upper-level and a low-level discriminator. Pulses with amplitudes below a lower pre-selected value will be discarded as noise by the low-level discriminator. Only pulses with amplitudes at or above the lower pre-selected amplitude but at or below a second higher pre-selected value will be subjected to PSD to distinguish between pulses corresponding to neutrons and pulses corresponding to gamma rays. Pulses with amplitudes above the second higher pre-selected value of the upper-level discriminator will be counted as neutron or ionic particle pulses without subjecting these pulses to any PSD.

Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.

Abstract: A proppant for use in fracturing geological formations is made from bauxitic ores and a calcium containing compound. The proppant has a calcium containing crystalline phase.

Abstract: A component includes a body including zircon (ZrSiO4) grains, the body having a free silica intergranular phase present between the zircon grains and distributed substantially uniformly through the body. The body comprises a content of free silica not greater than about 2 wt. % for the total weight of the body.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a body having abrasive particles contained within a bond material. The abrasive particles can include a majority content of silicon nitride and a minority content of sintering material including at least two rare-earth oxide materials. In an embodiment, the rare-earth oxide materials can include Nd2O3 and Y2O3. In a particular embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise a content (wt %) of Nd2O3 that is greater than a content of Y2O3 (wt %).

Abstract: An abrasive grain is disclosed and may include a body. The body may define a length (l), a height (h), and a width (w). In a particular aspect, the length is greater than or equal to the height and the height is greater than or equal to the width. Further, in a particular aspect, the body may include a primary aspect ratio defined by the ratio of length:height of at least about 2:1. The body may also include an upright orientation probability of at least about 50%.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for growing a sapphire sheet via edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) including an angled heat shield with respect to the a side surface of a die tip. The present disclosure is further directed to an sapphire sheets and batches of such sheets having features such as a particular maximum low spot thickness.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic body including forming a mixture made of at least a first powder material (PM1) including carbon having a first average particle size (PS1), a second powder material (PM2) including carbon and different than the first powder material, the second powder material having a second average particle size (PS2) less than the first average particle size (PS1), and an aluminum content (AC2) greater than the aluminum content (AC1) of the first powder material, and further including forming a green body from the mixture, and sintering the green body and forming a ceramic body having a first type of grain having an average grain size of not greater than about 8 times the first average particle size (PS1).

Abstract: An abrasive particulate material which is made of alumina crystals and a primary additive composition impregnated within the abrasive particulate material, the primary additive composition including a combination of Mg and Ca, wherein Mg and Ca are present in an additive ratio [Mg:Ca] within a range between about 1:1 and about 10:1, and a Ca amount is at least about 0.2 wt % Ca for the total weight of the abrasive particulate material.

Abstract: A ceramic tile includes an opening that is used to help fasten the ceramic tile to a mounting object. The opening can have a relatively small width that can obviate the need for a cap and can allow for less abrading of a polymer compound that is exposed adjacent to a major surface of the ceramic tile. In an embodiment, an insert is placed into the opening in the ceramic tile, and the ceramic tile is fastened to a wall using a welding technique. In other embodiments, different shapes of openings and fastening techniques can be used.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus can include a scintillator, a photosensor optically coupled to the scintillator, and a control module electrically coupled to the photosensor. The control module can be configured to receive a pulse from the photosensor and identify a cause of noise corresponding to the pulse. Such information can be useful in determining failure modes and potentially predict future failures of radiation detection apparatuses. In another embodiment, the wavelet discrimination can be used to determine whether or not the pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse, and potentially to identify a type of radiation or a radiation source. The technique is robust to work over a variety of temperatures, and particularly, at temperatures significantly higher than room temperature.

Abstract: A sapphire substrate includes a generally planar surface having a crystallographic orientation selected from the group consisting of a-plane, r-plane, m-plane, and c-plane orientations, and having a nTTV of not greater than about 0.037 ?m/cm2, wherein nTTV is total thickness variation normalized for surface area of the generally planar surface, the substrate having a diameter not less than about 9.0 cm.

Abstract: A control module for a radiation detector can be configured to use a first pulse shape discrimination technique at a first state, and use a second pulse shape discrimination technique at a second state.

Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a photosensor to receive light from a scintillator via an input and to send an electrical pulse at an output in response to receiving the light. The radiation detection system can also include a pulse analyzer that can determine whether the electrical pulse corresponds to a neutron-induced pulse, based on a ratio of an integral of a particular portion of the electrical pulse to an integral of a combination of a decay portion and a rise portion of the electrical pulse. Each of the integrals can be integrated over time. In a particular embodiment, the pulse analyzer can be configured to compare the ratio with a predetermined value and to identify the electrical pulse as a neutron-induced pulse when the ratio is at least the predetermined value.

Abstract: An improved scintillation detector capable of withstanding harsh operating environments includes a scintillator in a sealed casing having an atmosphere with an oxygen content not greater than about 100 ppb and an oxygen scavenger in the atmosphere within the sealed casing. The scintillator can include a material that may be damaged by exposure to oxygen. The oxygen scavenger can include an oxidizable compound.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped abrasive particle includes applying a mixture into a shaping assembly within an application zone and directing an ejection material at the mixture in the shaping assembly under a predetermined force, removing the mixture from the shaping assembly and forming a precursor shaped abrasive particle.

Abstract: A polishing slurry can include zirconia particles. The polishing slurry can be used to polish conductive and insulating materials, and is particularly well suited for polishing oxide materials as well as metals. The characteristics of the zirconia particles can affect the polishing of workpieces. By selecting the proper characteristics, the polishing slurry can have a good material removal rate while still providing an acceptable surface finish. The zirconia particles can be used as a replacement for, or in conjunction with, ceria or other abrasive particles. The content of zirconia particles in the polishing slurry may be less than a comparable polishing slurry having silica or alumina particles.

Abstract: An interconnect of a solid oxide fuel cell article is disclosed. The interconnect is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode of the solid oxide fuel cell article. The interconnect comprises a first phase including a ceramic interconnect material and a second phase including partially stabilized zirconia. The partially stabilized zirconia may be in a range of between about 0.1 vol % and about 70 vol % of the total volume of the interconnect.