Abstract: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as greater than 50 percent by weight of the shell of the respective granule, based on the total weight of the shell of the respective granule, wherein the shell of each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 60 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the shell of the respective granule, wherein the shell of each granule has a volume of at least 40 volume percent, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises at least first concentric layers, wherein the first layer comprises first ceramic particles bound together with a first inorganic binder, wherein the first inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the shell of each granule collectively has a volume of at least 40 volume percent, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: A plurality of granules comprising particulate silicate material bonded together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the hardener is at least one of aluminum phosphate, amorphous aluminosilicate, fluorosilicate, Portland cement, or a calcium silicate, wherein the particulate silicate material is present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have Tumble Toughness Value of at least 70 before immersion in water and at least 40 after immersion in water at 20° C.±2° C. for two months. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: Methods for making articles comprising crystalline material. Exemplary articles made by a method described herein include electronics enclosure (e.g., a watch case, cellular phone case, or a tablet case).

Abstract: A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

Abstract: A method of making a porous metal matrix composite is provided. The method includes mixing a metal powder, a plurality of inorganic particles, and a plurality of discontinuous fibers to form a mixture, wherein the metal powder comprises aluminum, magnesium, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy. The method further includes sintering the mixture to form the porous metal matrix composite. Typically, the inorganic particles comprise porous particles or ceramic bubbles or glass bubbles, and the inorganic particles and the discontinuous fibers are dispersed in the metal. The metal matrix composite has a lower density than the metal and an acceptable yield strength.

Abstract: A granule and building material including a granule having an inner zone and an outer zone that at least partially surrounds the inner zone and that comprises greater than 10% of the total volume of the granule is provided.

Abstract: Building materials, such as roofing granules, including greater than 50% volume of glass are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more additives including colored pigments, infrared-reflective particles, infrared-absorbing particles, algicidal particles, photocatalytic particles, thermally conductive particles, or electrically conductive particles are incorporated at least partially throughout or onto the granule.

Abstract: A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres at least partially embedded in the first binder layer; wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have an average diameter of at least 5 ?m. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have refractive indices of below about 1.490.

Abstract: Glass-ceramics comprising Al2O3 and rare earth oxide, yttrium oxide, and/or alkaline earth oxide. Uses of the glass-ceramics include dental articles, orthodontic appliances, abrasive particles, cutting tools, infrared windows, and ceramic bearings.

Abstract: A method for making an article from glass comprises providing a substrate including an outer surface; providing at least a first glass comprising at least two different metal oxides, wherein the first glass has a Tg and Tx, and wherein the difference between the Tg and the Tx of the first glass is at least 5K, the first glass containing less than 20% by weight Si02, less than 20% by weight B2O3, less than 40% by weight P2O5, and less than 50% by weight PbO; heating the first glass at or below ambient pressure to above its Tg such that at least a portion of the glass wets at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate; and cooling the glass to provide an article comprising ceramic comprising the glass attached to the at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate. The porosity of the ceramic is less than 20% by volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of novel glass materials comprising rare earth aluminate glasses (REAl™ glasses) in the gain medium of solid state laser devices that produce light at infrared wavelengths, typically in the range 1000 to 3000 nm and for infrared optics with transmission to approximately 5000 nm in thin sections. The novel glass materials provide stable hosts for trivalent ytterbium (Yb3+) ions and other optically active species or combinations of optically active species that exhibit fluorescence and that can be optically excited by the application of light. The glass gain medium can be configured as a waveguide or placed in an external laser cavity, or otherwise arranged to achieve gain in the laser waveband and so produce laser action.