Abstract: A method of making biopreform from the stem of monocotyledonous caudex plant, that is suitable for liquid infiltration and gaseous transportation of materials, is disclosed. Wood from caudex stem of trees such as coconut (Cocos nucifera), palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), date palm (Phoenics dactylifera), is used as a precursor material which is transformed under simple pyrolitic conditions under self-generated ambient atmosphere to biopreform having microstructural features typical of a monocotyledonous caudex tree. The biopreform is capable of liquid infiltration and gaseous transportation processing of materials in an appreciably shorter processing periods, because of its preservation of the structural and anatomical features of the parent plants with high precision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of improved silicon carbide powder by carbothermal reduction of silica by inventive steps of introducing ?-SiC powder simultaneously with iron in the starting composition resulting into a precursor powder which after complete reduction contains at least 90% SiC preferably rich in the ?-phase. The main advantage, among others, is cost effectiveness. Silicon carbide powder finds wide usage in the manufacture of products suitable for refractory and engineering applications.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a synergistic mixture of Si3N4, Al2O3, AlN, SiO2 and Nd2O3. The cost effective synergistic composition is useful for the preparation of dense neodymium stabilised ?-Si3N4-?-SiAlON composite of the order of >98% theoretical density, having high hardness and high fracture toughness. The dense ?-Si3N4-?-SiAlON composite will be useful for low temperature applications as wear parts like bearing and roller materials and particularly for grinding and milling operations like grinding balls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of arsenic free water and an apparatus therefor. The present invention also relates to a porous ceramic useful for pressure filtration in order to produce arsenic free water. The present invention particularly relates to a process for preparing arsenic free (<10 ppb) water from arsenic contaminated ground water and apparatus therefor.