Abstract: Some methods may involve receiving a first content stream that includes first audio signals, rendering the first audio signals to produce first audio playback signals, generating first calibration signals, generating first modified audio playback signals by inserting the first calibration signals into the first audio playback signals, and causing a loudspeaker system to play back the first modified audio playback signals, to generate first audio device playback sound. The method(s) may involve receiving microphone signals corresponding to at least the first audio device playback sound and to second through Nth audio device playback sound corresponding to second through Nth modified audio playback signals (including second through Nth calibration signals) played back by second through Nth audio devices, extracting second through Nth calibration signals from the microphone signals and estimating at least one acoustic scene metric based, at least partly, on the second through Nth calibration signals.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method of rendering audio for playback through headphones comprising receiving digital audio content, receiving binaural rendering metadata generated by an authoring tool processing the received digital audio content, receiving playback metadata generated by a playback device, and combining the binaural rendering metadata and playback metadata to optimize playback of the digital audio content through the headphones.

Abstract: A method for producing bulking and opacifying kaolin fillers for filling cellulosic products is disclosed. An aqueous slurry of anionically dispersed kaolin particles is formed at 1 to 30% solids. A low-molecular-weight cationic aggregating agent is then added to the dispersed slurry to selectively aggregate fine and ultra-fine particles. The resultant aggregates are of larger mean particle size than the feed material and contain little or no fine and ultra-fine or colloidal particles. The net charge present on the aggregated particles is lower than that of the feed material. The aggregated structure contains within it a labyrinth of internal voids or pores. These mineral aggregates are then of a suitable size and surface charge to be retained well in a fiber web, and provide added bulk and opacity to the cellulosic products.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective aggregation of the fine and ultrafine particles present in an anionically or cationically dispersed mineral pigment slurry, such that an aggregated structure is formed which contains within it a labyrinth of internal voids or pores, which collectively function as light scattering centers. The aggregates are formed from an assemblage of fine mineral particles, interconnected or bonded together with small quantities of a cationic or anionic polymer or agent of low molecular weight. The resultant aggregates are of larger mean particle size than the feed material and contain little or no fine and colloidal particles. The net charge present on the aggregated particles is lower than that of the feed material. These mineral aggregates are then of a suitable size and surface charge to be retained well in a fiber web by a combination of filtration retention and adsorption retention, and provide added bulk and opacity to the finished sheet of paper.

Abstract: A method for producing structured calcium carbonate pigments for coating paper is disclosed. An aqueous slurry of anionically dispersed calcium carbonate particles is formed at 1 to 30 percent solids. A low-molecular-weight cationically charged aggregating agent is then added to the slurry to selectively aggregate fine and ultra-fine particles. The resultant aggregates are of larger mean particle size than the mixture of particles in the original slurry and contain little or no fine and colloidal particles. The net charge present on the aggregated particles is lower than that of the original mineral particles. The low solids suspension of the aggregated mineral particles is then dewatered, or increased in solids to form a slurry with a solids content greater than 60 percent by weight.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing bulking and opacifying pigments for filling paper by the selective aggregation of fine particles in an anionically or cationically dispersed slurry, such that an aggregated structure is formed which contains within it a labyrinth of internal voids or pores. The aqueous slurry is formed at one to thirty percent solids. A low molecular weight agent of opposite ionic charge is then added to the slurry to selectively aggregate the fine particles present. The resultant aggregates are of larger mean particle size than the feed material and contain little or no fine and colloidal particles. The net charge present on the aggregated particles is lower than that of the feed material.

Abstract: A method for producing a high solids aqueous slurry of particulate calcium carbonate having highly stable aging characteristics, comprising dispersing in water at at least 70% by weight solids, a finely divided particulate calcium carbonate, utilizing as a dispersing agent from 20 to 34 lbs/ton of dry mineral (expressed as 40% actives), of a copolymer of acrylic acid and a sulfonated vinyl monomer, which is converted to the salt form by from about 30 to 50% of its carboxylic acid sites being neutralized with a polyvalent cation, and substantially the balance of said carboxylic sites being neutralized with a monovalent cation.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated kaolin pigment.

Abstract: A process for forming chemically aggregated composite porous bulking pigments for use in paper filling and coating formulations. An aqueous slurry is formed of feed mineral particles selected from one or more members of the group consisting of kaolin, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, gypsum, and mica. A high molecular weight carboxyl-containing polymer or copolymer is added to the slurry to flocculate the mineral particles. An excess of calcium ion is added to the flocced slurry to precipitate the calcium salt of the carboxyl-containing polymer in situ on the feed mineral flocs, and thereby form aggregates of feed mineral particles interconnected by the calcium salt and having a bulk, porous, floc structure. Gaseous carbon dioxide is added to the slurry, and reacts with remaining calcium ion to precipitate calcium carbonate onto the polymeric carboxyl calcium salt. This forms additional light scattering voids or pores and strengthens the connections among the flocced feed particles.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by mixing an aqueous slurry of a fine particle kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then spray drying the mixture to form a dry, chemically aggregated kaolin pigment.

Abstract: A process for forming chemically aggregated composite porous bulking pigments for use in paper filling and coating formulations. An aqueous slurry is formed of feed mineral particles selected from one or more members of the group consisting of kaolin, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, gypsum, and mica. A high molecular weight carboxyl-containing polymer or copolymer is added to the slurry to flocculate the mineral particles. An excess of calcium ion is added to the flocced slurry to precipitate the calcium salt of the carboxyl-containing polymer in situ on the feed mineral flocs, and thereby form aggregates of feed mineral particles interconnected by the calcium salt and having a bulk, porous, floc structure. Gaseous carbon dioxide is added to the slurry, and reacts with remaining calcium ion to precipitate calcium carbonate onto the polymeric carboxyl calcium salt. This forms additional light scattering voids or pores and strengthens the connections among the flocced feed particles.

Abstract: A method is described for forming bulked aggregates of mineral particles such as kaolins. An aqueous slurry of the mineral is treated with a source of a multi-valent cation to floc the mineral, polyacrylic is added and the slurry is then neutralized with a base to an alkaline pH. This treatment causes the polyacrylic acid to undergo cross-linking with the cations to form the polyacrylate which precipitates in situ on the mineral floc and preserves and retains the bulked, porous floc structure, whereby pore radius and volume of the treated mineral are increased. The products are useful as fillers or as coating pigments in paper manufacture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a porous inorganic material, suitable for use as a support material for biological macromolecules, comprising substantially spherical particles of an aluminosilicate ceramic material, any internal cavities present in a particle occupying no more than 10% of the volume of the particle, each particle having a diameter in the range of from 5 micrometers to 5 millimeters and consisting predominantly of an open three-dimensional matrix of needles of the ceramic material each of which needles has a length in the range of from 2 to 20 micrometers and a width in the range of from about 0.2 to 2 micrometers, the ceramic needles defining between them interconnecting pores of width of from 0.1 to 5 micrometers. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a porous inorganic material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a porous inorganic material suitable for use as a support for immobilizing biological macromolecules and which comprises a 3-dimensional network of defect aluminium-silicon spinel, said network defining an interconnecting array of pores predominantly in the size range of from 100 to 1000 .ANG..A process for preparing the porous inorganic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing a porous inorganic material. The process comprises preparing a cellular aluminosilicate material by foaming or spray drying an aqueous suspension of the material. The cellular material is calcined, leached with hydroxide to remove silica, dewatered and dried to leave a porous, cellular ceramic material.

Abstract: There is provided a porous cellular material comprising a plurality of cavities each defined by a substantially spherical wall formed of a rigid intermeshing matrix of ceramic needles said wall being pierced by at least one aperture to provide access to the cavity, and the or each aperture having a diameter such that the ratio of the diameter of the aperture to the diameter of the cavity into which the aperture opens is in the range of from 0.1:1 to 1:1.

Abstract: A particulate kaolin pigment which enhances gloss and printability properties when used as a coating pigment for paper and enhances light scattering and opacifying properties when incorporated as a filler in paper, is obtained by mixing a fine particle kaolin with an aggregating agent comprising an organic silicon compound such as tetramethoxy silane or tetraethoxy silane. The feed kaolin moisture content is in the range of above 2.0 to about 5.0%, preferably 2.5 to 4.0% by weight.