Abstract: The present invention provides a method of moulding a mouldable reinforcing element of an item of footwear. The method comprises the steps of: providing a microwave heatable mouldable reinforcing element and locating said element at an appropriate location as part of an item of footwear; positioning the item of footwear on a last to hold the item of footwear in an appropriate shape; locating the item of footwear in a microwave field within a microwave chamber that contains the microwave field and thereby heating the mouldable reinforcing element to a temperature at which it is mouldable; and moving the appropriate location of the item of footwear relative to the microwave field during said heating. The method is particularly advantageous over prior art microwave methods for moulding footwear in that it does not require specific control of the microwave field and it does not require the use of external moulds.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a substrate, a platinum resistor arranged on at least one surface of the substrate, a protective layer covering at least a portion of the platinum resistor and a cover layer covering at least a portion of the protective layer, the cover layer including Al2O3, SiO2 and Y2O3. The cover layer may also include B2O3. A conductive wire may be electrically connected to the platinum resistor. A glass ceramic may be covering at least a portion of the conductive wire, platinum resistor, protective layer and cover layer.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a substrate, a platinum resistor arranged on at least one surface of the substrate, a protective layer covering at least a portion of the platinum resistor and a cover layer covering at least a portion of the protective layer, the cover layer including Al2O3, SiO2 and Y2O3. The cover layer may also include B2O3. A conductive wire may be electrically connected to the platinum resistor. A glass ceramic may be covering at least a portion of the conductive wire, platinum resistor, protective layer and cover layer.

Abstract: A method of forming granules, the method including forming a suspension of a nanopowder such as a nano zirconia powder containing yttria. The powder is formed from a suspension, and freon is added directly to the suspension as an additive. The suspension is then granulated by spray freeze drying, and the freon subsequently removed by heat treatment. The voids left by the vacated freon provide meso, micro and macro flaws or structural defects in the granules.

Abstract: Braze materials and processes for using braze materials, such as for use in the manufacturing, coating, repair, and build-up of superalloy components. The braze material contains a plurality of first particles of a metallic material having a melting point, and a plurality of second particles comprising at least one nonmetallic material chosen from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, and nitrides of at least one metal. The nonmetallic material is more susceptible to heating by microwave radiation than the metallic material of the first particles, and the nonmetallic material is present in the braze material in an amount sufficient to enable the first particles to completely melt when the first and second particles are subjected to heating by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Braze materials and processes for using braze materials, such as for use in the manufacturing, coating, repair, and build-up of superalloy components. The braze material contains a plurality of first particles of a metallic material having a melting point, and a plurality of second particles comprising at least one nonmetallic material chosen from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, and nitrides of at least one metal. The nonmetallic material is more susceptible to heating by microwave radiation than the metallic material of the first particles, and the nonmetallic material is present in the braze material in an amount sufficient to enable the first particles to completely melt when the first and second particles are subjected to heating by microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method of forming granules, the method including forming a suspension of a nanopowder such as a nano zirconia powder containing yttria. The powder is formed from a suspension, and freon is added directly to the suspension as an additive. The suspension is then granulated by spray freeze drying, and the freon subsequently removed by heat treatment. The voids left by the vacated freon provide meso, micro and macro flaws or structural defects in the granules.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a doped zirconia ceramic having a mean grain size of about 190 nm or less and consisting of the tetragonal zirconia crystallographic phase as a hydrothermally stable material or in an application that requires the use of a hydrothermally stable material. The present invention also provides a doped zirconia ceramic having a mean grain size of about 190 nm or less and consisting of tetragonal zirconia which does not undergo detectable tetragonal to monoclinic transformation during aging in moisture in an autoclave at a temperature of up to about 245° C. for up to 504 hours at a pressure of up to 7 bar.

Abstract: Ceramic HID lamps with improved thermal management having an adherent infrared reflective coating layer located on the outer surface of the vessel are described. They include a coating of a nonmetallic material proximate the first and second end portions of the vessel. Such coatings can minimize temperature gradients during lamp operation. Methods for preparing such lamps with improved thermal management are described as well.

Abstract: Ceramic HID lamps with improved thermal management having an adherent infrared reflective coating layer located on the outer surface of the vessel are described. They include a coating of a nonmetallic material proximate the first and second end portions of the vessel. Such coatings can minimize temperature gradients during lamp operation. Methods for preparing such lamps with improved thermal management are described as well.

Abstract: Braze materials and processes for using braze materials, such as for use in the manufacturing, coating, repair, and build-up of superalloy components. The braze material contains a plurality of first particles of a metallic material having a melting point, and a plurality of second particles comprising at least one nonmetallic material chosen from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, and nitrides of at least one metal. The nonmetallic material is more susceptible to heating by microwave radiation than the metallic material of the first particles, and the nonmetallic material is present in the braze material in an amount sufficient to enable the first particles to completely melt when the first and second particles are subjected to heating by microwave radiation.

Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus, including a heater apparatus, is provided. The heater apparatus includes a coating layer; and a seal structure in contact with the coating layer. The seal structure is formed from a seal formable material. The seal formable material includes at least one of a YASB glassy composition, a CGYP glassy composition, or a combination of the YASB glassy composition and the CGYP glassy composition. A method and device are also included.

Abstract: A composition is provided that is capable of forming an NZP or an NZP-type coating. The composition includes a first composition, a second composition, and a metal cation. The first composition and the second composition form a crystalline structure with three-dimensional network of octahedra and tetrahedra linked by one or more shared atoms. The first composition comprises one or more of Zr, V, Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti, Al, Cr, or a metal of the Lanthanide series. The second composition comprises at least one of phosphorus, silicon, boron, vanadium or aluminum. The one or more shared atoms comprise at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon. The first composition and the second composition are related as shown by the formula (first composition)2 (second composition)x (shared atom)12?x. The metal cation is disposed within an interstitial site defined by the crystalline structure.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for use in a corrosive operating environment at a temperature range of 25-1500° C. is provided. The apparatus has an NZP or an NZP-type coating, which comprises a first composition, a second composition, and a metal cation. The first composition and the second composition form a crystalline structure with three-dimensional network of octahedra and tetrahedra linked by one or more shared atoms. The first composition comprises one or more of Zr, V, Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti, Al, Cr, or a metal of the Lanthanide series. The second composition comprises at least one of phosphorus, silicon, boron, vanadium or aluminum. The one or more shared atoms comprise at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon. The first composition and the second composition are related as shown by the formula (first composition)2 (second composition)x (shared atom)12-x. The metal cation is disposed within an interstitial site defined by the crystalline structure.

Abstract: A method for polishing of a ceramic arc tube for use in a HID lamp in order to decrease surface scatter and increase in-line transmission of light through the arc tube. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, processes are described by which both the inner surface and outer surface of a ceramic arc tube may be polished concurrently. In one embodiment, the ceramic arc tube may be immersed in an abrasive slurry and impacted with the abrasive slurry through generation of a turbulence in the abrasive slurry, for example. In one embodiment, the turbulence may be generated by ultrasonic cavitation within the slurry or by a magnetically induced rotational flow within the slurry.

Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to a process for forming a multilayer electrical device. The process includes providing a multilayer structure including layers of a dielectric material and an electrode material. The electrode material may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of nickel and copper. A variety of dielectric materials may be used, such as barium titanate. The method also includes sintering the dielectric material by heating the structure using microwaves in an industrial nitrogen atmosphere, which contains an oxygen partial pressure of 10−2 to 10−12 atm.

Abstract: A method of heating an article with microwave energy is described in which a thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material is provided around at least a portion of a container made of microwave transparent material. The article to be heated is placed at a position within the container where the article is adjacent the thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material, and microwave energy is applied to the container.

Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to a process for forming a multilayer electrical device. The process includes providing a multilayer structure including layers of a dielectric material and an electrode material. The electrode material may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of nickel and copper. A variety of dielectric materials may be used, such as barium titanate. The method also includes sintering the dielectric material by heating the structure using microwaves in an industrial nitrogen atmosphere, which contains an oxygen partial pressure of 10−2 to 10−12 atm.

Abstract: A method of heating an article with microwave energy is described in which a thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material is provided around at least a portion of a container made of microwave transparent material. The article to be heated is placed at a position within the container where the article is adjacent the thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material, and microwave energy is applied to the container.

Abstract: Varistors are produced by pressing ceramic ZnO powder to provide discs, sintering the discs with microwave radiation, and firing outer electrodes with microwave radiation. The sintering has a maximum plateau temperature of 1000° C. to 1300° C. and the duration for ramping to this temperature and maintenance at this temperature is 120 to 180 minutes. These parameters also apply for multi-layer varistors with inner electrodes. The outer electrodes are fired at a maximum plateau temperature of 550° C. to 820° C. for a total duration of 40 to 45 minutes.