Abstract: An improved porous ceramic biomaterial is disclosed in which a polymer such as polylactic acid is polymerized in situ to fill the micropores substantially without filling the macropores. The polymer reinforcement helps improve the strength of the implant while preserving its ability to support ingrowth of bone to help integrate the implant into its surgical environment.

Abstract: A new fundamental structure that is simply and inexpensively formed offers a wide variety of functional attributes. The structure is formed from thin film sheet stock by pressure induced formation of select arrays of depressions and raised portions. The patterns formed provide an approximate minimal surface. Composite structures created by selective arrangement of the deformed sheets provide a highly functional arrangement of passageways and support lattice. These structures have low density, high strength, and select fluid carrying and heat exchange capabilities.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous mesh structure is prepared from a two-dimensional sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the two-dimensional sheet is formed into the three-dimensional porous mesh structure which emulates osteon-evacuated bone.

Abstract: A porous mesh structure is prepared in sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the sheet is layer on itself in a front to back manner. This arrangement of pores and support structure emulates certain cortical bone structures and is therefore very effective as an artificial bone material. In addition, the porous structure has significant other potential uses outside the medical field and can be effectively applied accordingly, based on its fundamental. structural attributes.

Abstract: A porous mesh structure is prepared in sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the sheet is layer on itself in a front to back manner. This arrangement of pores and support structure emulates certain cortical bone structures and is therefore very effective as an artificial bone material. In addition, the porous structure has significant other potential uses outside the medical field and can be effectively applied accordingly, based on its fundamental structural attributes.

Abstract: A porous article comprising a three-dimensional network of interconnecting pores and a void volume between twenty and eighty percent. The porous article is manufactured using a specifically delineated mesh structure wherein the pore size, void volume and material properties are tightly controlled and easily varied. The resulting material is advantageously applied to several bio-medical applications, including reconstructive surgery and arterial replacement.

Abstract: A porous mesh for use in forming articles comprising a network of pores and protrusions. The porous mesh has a specifically delineated mesh structure having a pore/protrusion size between 25 and 1000 microns and the pore structure is based on a uniform distribution of pores and protrusions on a cast or molded sheet wherein said pores and protrusions have similar effective diameters.

Abstract: Biomaterials useful for onthopedicanel dental applications is disclosed. These materials have a base portion of calcium carbonate and a surface layer of a synthetic phosphate such as hydroxyapatite. The base portion may be a calcium carbonate structure having three-dimensional interconnected porosity such as may be found in porous skeletal carbonate of marine life, e.g. coral porites skeletal aragonite, or it may be porous or non-porous granules of calcium carbonate.A method for making the biomaterials is also disclosed. The synthetic phosphate surface is made using a hydroconversion reaction with a soluble or solubilized phosphate such as ammonium dibasic phosphate ((NH4).sub.2 HPO4).

Abstract: Calcium phosphates useful as bone substitute material or for the manufacture of prosthetic devices have been prepared from calcium hydroxyapatite material which has a uniformly permeable microporous structure characterized by a substantially uniform pore volume in the range from about 10 to about 90% and by a pronounced three-dimensional fenestrate structure corresponding to the microstructure of the porous carbonate echinoderm or scleractinian coral skeletal material of marine life by reacting said calcium hydroxyapatite material which has a calcium to phosphorus atomic ratio of about 1.

Abstract: A material useful as a biomaterial for the manufacture of prosthetic devices and the like is provided by casting a suitable metal, such a Vitallium, into a hydroxyapatite and/or whitlockite investment with three-dimensional interconnected porosity. The resulting composite is finished to expose the investment in order to provide a superior surface for attachment to bone. The composite may be cast as part of the casting of metal prostheses such as hip joints or artificial teeth, in such a way that the investment is present in a thin layer at the desired bone attachment locations.

Abstract: A new solar heat engine is provided in the form of a pressure oscillation generation device having a chamber with two spaced apart walls, means on one wall receiving sunlight through said one wall, means on the other of said walls continuously cooling said other wall, a light absorbing surface on a thermal shield movable between said walls, means for automatically alternating said sunlight absorbing surfaced thermal shield back and forth between said walls whereby a heat expansible fluid contained in said chamber is alternately heated and cooled thereby causing said fluid to undergo alternate expansions and contractions. The alternate expansions and contractions of the fluid are used to produce useful work by pump action, torque action, compression and the like.

Abstract: A new heat engine is provided in the form of a pressure oscillation generation device having a chamber with two spaced apart walls, means on the outside of one wall continuously heating said one wall, means on the other of said walls continuously cooling said other wall, a thermal shield movable between said walls, means alternating said thermal shield back and forth between said walls whereby a heat expansible fluid contained in said chamber is alternately heated and cooled thereby causing said fluid to undergo alternate expansions and contractions.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and process for drying and/or heating materials. This invention was designed for use in the production of charcoal from wood feed material; however, it can be used to heat and/or dry many types of materials. Feed material is disposed in a reactor, wherein there is provided a first array of input channels extending through said feed material, through which hot gases are introduced into said feed material, and a second array of output channels extending through said feed material to collect and exit those hot gases and any gases or vapors derived from the heating and/or drying of the feed material.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and process for drying and/or heating materials. This invention was designed for use in the production of charcoal from wood feed material; however, it can be used to heat and/or dry many types of materials. Feed material is disposed in a reactor, wherein there is provided a first array of input channels extending through said feed material, through which hot gases are introduced into said feed material, and a second array of output channels extending through said feed material to collect and exit those hot gases and any gases or vapors derived from the heating and/or drying of the feed material.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.