Abstract: Printing sheets comprising microporous material or compressed microporous material having an ink-receptive layer joined to at least one side of the microporous material or compressed microporous material are particularly suited for ink jet printing. Preferably the ink receptive layer comprises hydrated aluminum oxide, and binder comprising water-soluble hydroxypropyl cellulose and water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol).

Abstract: Polyurethane foams prepared using polysiloxane/polyoxyalkylene surfactants, preferably blended with a viscosity modifying agent, particularly in combination with particulate silica, especially silica aerogel, exhibit improved thermal insulating capacity, as measured by K-factor, and improved closed cell content, without increasing the density of the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: Liquid comprising from 93 to 100 percent by weight alcohol is removed from silica alcogel at subcritical temperature to produce silica aerogel. The silica aerogel produced by the method of the present invention not only has high porosity, but in most instances it also has a narrow distribution of small pore sizes. The silica aerogel is preferably reduced in size so as to form particulate silica aerogel.

Abstract: Liquid comprising from 93 to 100 percent by weight alcohol is removed from silica alcogel at subcritical temperature to produce silica aerogel. The silica aerogel produced by the method of the present invention not only has high porosity, but in most instances it also has a narrow distribution of small pore sizes. The silica aerogel is preferably reduced in size so as to form particulate silica aerogel.

Abstract: A composite material having a fiber system embedded in a host matrix material. The fiber system has a protective reaction barrier around the embedded fibers to prevent deleterious chemical or mechanical reaction between the fiber and matrix. The fiber coating is applied by immersion of the fiber system into an alkoxide solution of the desired oxide precursor with controlled immersion and withdrawal rates with subsequent drying, heating to convert to a pure oxide state, and where required, post processing, to convert the oxide coating to a carbide or nitride, for example.

Abstract: A porous body consisting of a felted fibrous skeleton covered with and bonded together by a ceramic material is provided. Also provided are methods for making such a porous body which comprise the use of ceramic polymer solutions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an organoalkoxysilane/metal oxide sol-gel composition in an essentially aqueous medium by partially hydrolyzing an organoalkoxysilane with a limited amount of water which is essentially completely consumed in the hydrolysis reaction, adding a metal alkoxide of titanium or zirconium to the essentially anhydrous partially hydrolyzed organoalkoxysilane, completely reacting the metal alkoxide with the partially hydrolyzed organoalkoxysilane to form an oxide network and then completely hydrolyzing the composition in water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of encapsulating soluble or colloid solids in .alpha.-alumina by forming a solution or colloid of the solids in a liquid which has a surface tension low enough to wet a non-particulate transition alumina which has a porosity of at least 40%. The solution or colloid is permitted to impregnate the pores of the alumina and the liquid is evaporated. The alumina is then heated to its .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 transformation temperature to entrap waste in its matrix and seal the pores. After the alumina has cooled, the surface of the alumina can be washed to remove any solids which were not trapped in the pores.

Abstract: An organoalkoxysilane/metal oxide sol-gel composition and method for its production are disclosed whereby an organoalkoxysilane of the general formulaR.sub.x Si(OR').sub.4-xwherein R is an organic radical, R' is a low molecular weight alkyl radical, and x is at least 1 and less than 4, is partially hydrolyzed in organic solution and reacted with a titanium or zirconium alkoxide of the general formula M(OR").sub.4 wherein M is titanium or zirconium and R" is a lower alkyl radical. The composition is hydrolyzed, dried and condensed to form an organosiloxane/metal oxide abrasion-resistant coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A multi-component organoalkoxysilane/metal alkoxide sol-gel composition and method for its production are disclosed whereby an organoalkoxysilane of the general formulaR.sub.x Si(OR').sub.4-xwherein R is an organic radical, R' is low molecular weight alkyl radical, and x is at least 1 and less than 4, is partially hydrolyzed, reacted with a mixture of metal alkoxides, and the resulting composition is further hydrolyzed and condensed to form an inorganic oxide network. The composition is dried and cured to form an abrasion-resistant coating on a substrate having improved properties in comparison with single metal alkoxide compositions.

Abstract: A method for preparing mullite (3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2) by partially hydrolyzing a dilute silicon alkoxide solution, combining an aluminum alkoxide with the partially hydrolyzed silicon alkoxide, eliminating terminal alkoxide groups and firing the material to about 985.degree. C.

Abstract: The absorption of neutrons of a nuclear reactor without producing fissions is reduced by providing selected isotopes of zirconium for fabrication of parts such as cladding, thimble tubes and grids. Specifically, the zirconium is enriched in .sup.90 Zr or is depleted in .sup.91 Zr. The selected isotopes are produced by irradiating Zr(OC.sub.4 H.sub.9).sub.4.sup.t, Zr(OC.sub.5 H.sub.11).sub.4.sup.t and/or Zr(OC.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.4.sup.t, with radiation from a CO.sub.2 laser tuned to the vibrations of the CO(.sup.90 Zr) bond or the O(.sup.91 Zr) bond.

Abstract: Antireflective silica coating for vitreous material is substantially non-reflecting over a wide band of radiations. This is achieved by providing the coating with a graded degree of porosity which grades the index of refraction between that of air and the vitreous material of the substrate. To prepare the coating, there is first prepared a silicon-alkoxide-based coating solution of particular polymer structure produced by a controlled proportion of water to alkoxide and a controlled concentration of alkoxide to solution, along with a small amount of catalyst. The primary solvent is alcohol and the solution is polymerized and hydrolized under controlled conditions prior to use. The prepared solution is applied as a film to the vitreous substrate and rapidly dried. It is thereafter heated under controlled conditions to volatilize the hydroxyl radicals and organics therefrom and then to produce a suitable pore morphology in the residual porous silica layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nasicon compound and a method of making it. The nasicon compound is rhombohedral at room temperature and has the general formulaM.sub.1+x+O.02y+0.04z M'.sub.2-0.02(y+z) M".sub.0.02y M"'.sub.0.02z M"".sub.x M""'.sub.3-x O.sub.12where M is selected from lithium, sodium, calcium, and silver, M' is selected from zirconium, titanium or hafnium, M" is selected from yttrium, scandium or lanthanum, M"' is selected from magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium, M"" is selected from silicon and germanium, M""' is selected from phosphorous and arsenic, x is about 1.6 to about 2.2, y is about 0 to about 15, and z is about 0 to about 15. The preferred compound isNa.sub.1+x Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.x P.sub.3-x O.sub.12.A sodium sulfur battery using the nasicon compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for coupling an optical fiber to an optical device. Ends of optical fibers are ion polished. Micro-manipulators are used to position the polished end in abutting relationship with the optical device. A liquid which contains glass constituents is used to coat the junction of the optical fiber and the optical device. The liquid is subjected to a temperature cycle which fuses the glass constituents to the optical fiber and to the optical device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a clear partially hydrolyzed aluminum alkoxide solution by mixing an aluminum alkoxide with about 0.4 to about 1 moles of water per mole of aluminum alkoxide in the presence of sufficient alcohol to give a maximum weight percent of equivalent alumina of 10%. The mixture is then heated until clear, which typically requires a temperature of about 40.degree. to about 60.degree. C. Then sufficient additional water is added to bring the number of moles of water per mole of alkoxide up to at least about 2. The water is added in the presence of sufficient alcohol to give a maximum weight percent of equivalent alumina of about 3%. A polymerized alumina glass can be prepared from the composition by heating it to a temperature of at least 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for containing a solution of nuclear waste, where the nuclear waste is at least 10% sodium or nitrate. A composition is prepared in an alcohol of about 1 to about 99% of a silicon alkoxide and about 1 to about 99% of a boron alkoxide. The pH of the nuclear waste solution is adjusted to about 4 to about 6 and the pH of the composition is adjusted to match. The composition is dried to about 50 to about 75% of its original volume and is mixed with up to about 30% of the solution of nuclear waste, thereby forming a gel. The mixture is dried and heated at up to about 500.degree. C. Finally, it is consolidated either by warm pressing at about 400.degree. to about 800.degree. C. at about 40,000 to about 100,000 psi, or by melting at about 700.degree. to about 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: A clear solution is prepared by reacting metal alkoxide with a mixture of critical amounts of water and/or acid in an alcohol diluted medium. Alkoxides may be Ti(OR).sub.4 or Ta(OR).sub.5, or another metal alkoxide such as Si(OR).sub.4 in admixture with these alkoxides. Acids may be HCl or HNO.sub.3. Quarter wave inorganic optical coatings are deposited by applying the alkoxide solution to a substrate then heating the coating at over 350.degree. C. The coatings reduce reflectivity on silicon solar cells. The index of refraction of the coating can be varied by several techniques, including altering the proportion of titanium and silicon in the coating firing temperature, firing atmosphere. Thicknesses of the coating can be controlled by varying the rpm in spin application, withdrawal rate in dipping application, by concentration of the solution, by the type of solvent or the degree of polymerization of the titanium complexes.

Abstract: Method for preparing finely divided high purity alumina doped with a small predetermined percentage of magnesia. In the preparation, there is first formed a mixed clear solution of aluminum alkoxide and a small amount of magnesium in the form of alkoxide or water soluble magnesium salt. There is then included with the clear solution a substantial excess of water over that required to completely hydrolyze the alkoxide and there is added thereto a small amount of selected acid which is effective to peptize the resulting slurry. The formed milky slurry is then allowed to become fully peptized to form a clear sol. The clear sol is converted to a finely divided and dried powder either by forming the sol into a gel, which is then dried, and mechanically reduced to a powder status or by spray drying the sol at elevated temperatures which produces the dried powder. Thereafter, the finely divided and dried powder is calcined at a temperature of from about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C.

Abstract: A clear solution is prepared by reacting metal alkoxide with a mixture of critical amounts of water and/or acid in an alcohol diluted medium. Alkoxides may be Ti(OR).sub.4 or Ta(OR).sub.5, or another metal alkoxide such as Si(OR).sub.4 in admixture with these alkoxides. Acids may be HCl or HNO.sub.3. Quarter wave inorganic optical coatings are deposited by applying the alkoxide solution to a substrate then heating the coating at over 350.degree. C. The coatings reduce reflectivity on silicon solar cells. The index of refraction of the coating can be varied by several techniques, including altering the proportion of titanium and silicon in the coating firing temperature, firing atmosphere. Thicknesses of the coating can be controlled by varying the rpm in spin application, withdrawal rate in dipping application, by concentration of the solution, by the type of solvent or the degree of polymerization of the titanium complexes.