Abstract: A solar energy collector having improved absorptance and emissivity levels comprising: (1) a silver-copper oxide-rhodium oxide solar absorption film, (2) a cerium oxide interlayer and a substrate of quartz, silica glass or metal. The cerium oxide interlayer minimizes agglomeration of the metal particles, maintains a relatively low thermal emittance and improves overall stability.

Abstract: Monolithic honeycomb structures are made by heating to a fluid condition an admixture comprising an inorganic powder and a temporary vehicle, forcing the fluid admixture through a stencil having a plurality of masking islands thereby forming a thin lamina beneath the stencil which is cooled immediately to form an essentially solid structure. This process is repeated to form a composite of successive cohered laminae thereby forming a monolithic honeycomb structure, which is heated to remove the vehicle and subsequently sintered to form a self-supporting honeycomb structure.