Abstract: An apparatus for controlling docking with a spacecraft includes at least one camera for generating at least one image pixel stream of the spacecraft. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) receives the at least one image pixel stream from the at least one camera. The FPGA texture processes the at least one pixel stream to generate at least one texture map for the at least one image pixel stream. A processor receives the at least one texture map from the FPGA and calculates texture map statistics responsive to the generated at least one texture map, generates thresholding results for the at least one pixel image stream responsive to the generated at least one texture map, determines a bus centroid of the spacecraft responsive to the generated thresholding results and outputs the determined bus centroid of the spacecraft. A docking controller controls docking of with the spacecraft responsive to the determined bus centroid of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A dental cheek and tongue retracting device and method for retaining in a fixed position within a mouth of a user includes a pad being used in a dental procedure. The pad is made of a cotton material and the pad is soft within a mouth of a user wherein providing comfort. A triangular shape of the pad includes a plurality of sides thus each of the sides is a flat surface. The flat surface of each of the sides assists in retaining the pad within a fixed position within the mouth of the first user. Furthermore, a plurality of points of the pad is a junction between the plurality of sides of the triangular shape of the pad.

Abstract: Methods for forming ceramic cores are disclosed. A ceramic core formed using the method of the present application includes a silica depletion zone encapsulating an inner zone. The inner zone includes mullite and the silica depletion zone includes alumina. The method includes heat-treating a ceramic body in a non-oxidizing atmospheric condition for an effective temperature and time combination at a pressure less than 10?2 atmosphere to form the silica depletion zone at a surface of the ceramic core.

Abstract: Methods for forming ceramic cores are disclosed. A ceramic core formed using the method of the present application includes a silica depletion zone encapsulating an inner zone. The inner zone includes mullite and the silica depletion zone includes alumina. The method includes heat-treating a ceramic body in a non-oxidizing atmospheric condition for an effective temperature and time combination at a pressure less than 10? atmosphere to form the silica depletion zone at a surface of the ceramic core.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming porous ceramic articles are provided. The method is forming a composition including liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former; shaping the composition; curing the composition to form a green body; volatilizing the pore-former before or after curing the composition; and firing the green body. The pore-former is a silicon-bearing agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole, or a molecule with a molecular weight under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid. The composition comprises liquid siloxanes, ceramic particles, a catalyst, and a pore-former, which is an agent with an average molecular weight under 1300 grams per mole or a molecule with a molecular mass under 1,000 grams per mole and a freezing point between ?40° C. and 25° C. that is soluble in the liquid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for forming ceramic articles, such as cores and core dies used in investment casting. The method may provide ceramic articles having improved strength and smoothness compared to articles manufactured by conventional methods. One embodiment is a method that comprises introducing a liquid comprising a silicon-bearing fluid into pores of a porous ceramic body; and heating the porous ceramic body in an oxygen-bearing atmosphere to form silica within the pores of the body.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically updating search parameters for a real estate database, the real estate database including records corresponding to real estate properties, the method including transmitting a user interface including a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of real estate uses and one or more search parameters, receiving a selection of a real estate use in the plurality of real estate uses through the selection of an indicator in the plurality of indicators, determining one or more use-specific search parameters corresponding to the selected real estate use, the one or more use-specific search parameters being determined by querying a data structure storing a mapping of the plurality of real estate uses to a plurality of use-specific search parameters, and updating the user interface to include the one or more use-specific search parameters in addition to the one or more search parameters.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil component assembly for use with a turbine engine including a attachment assembly having an inner surface defining a cavity. The attachment assembly includes a metal alloy substrate. An airfoil assembly is at least partially positioned within the attachment assembly and extends outwardly from the attachment assembly. The airfoil assembly includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) substrate. A reaction barrier coating is disposed over at least a portion of the airfoil assembly. The reaction barrier coating is positioned between the attachment assembly and the airfoil assembly.

Abstract: The present invention details a process for producing a catalyst powder. The steps of the process include preparing catalyst slurry, drying, pyrolyzing, and calcining the catalyst slurry to obtain a calcined catalyst powder. The catalyst slurry comprises a catalyst, a liquid carrier, a templating agent, and a catalyst substrate. The catalyst slurry is dried to obtain a raw catalyst powder. The raw catalyst powder is heated in a first controlled atmosphere to obtain a pyrolyzed catalyst powder and the pyrolyzed catalyst powder is calcined in a second controlled atmosphere to obtain a calcined catalyst powder. A method of fabricating a catalyst surface and catalytic converter using the prepared catalyst powder is also illustrated.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil component assembly for use with a turbine engine including a attachment assembly having an inner surface defining a cavity. The attachment assembly includes a metal alloy substrate. An airfoil assembly is at least partially positioned within the attachment assembly and extends outwardly from the attachment assembly. The airfoil assembly includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) substrate. A reaction barrier coating is disposed over at least a portion of the airfoil assembly. The reaction barrier coating is positioned between the attachment assembly and the airfoil assembly.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.

Abstract: The present invention details a process for producing a catalyst powder. The steps of the process include preparing catalyst slurry, drying, pyrolyzing, and calcining the catalyst slurry to obtain a calcined catalyst powder. The catalyst slurry comprises a catalyst, a liquid carrier, a templating agent, and a catalyst substrate. The catalyst slurry is dried to obtain a raw catalyst powder. The raw catalyst powder is heated in a first controlled atmosphere to obtain a pyrolyzed catalyst powder and the pyrolyzed catalyst powder is calcined in a second controlled atmosphere to obtain a calcined catalyst powder. A method of fabricating a catalyst surface and catalytic converter using the prepared catalyst powder is also illustrated.

Abstract: A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.

Abstract: A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as cores and shell molds for casting of reactive metal alloys, and casting processes for producing components from such alloys. The composition contains a sintered particulate material of hafnia and at least one additional metal oxide in amounts to yield a ceramic composition containing up to 70 molar percent of hafnia, wherein the additional metal oxide is a rare-earth oxide, the sintered particulate material contains first and second phases, the first phase is the rare-earth oxide and hafnia in solid solution, the second phase is a compound of the rare-earth oxide and hafnia, and the second phase is less reactive with the reactive metal alloy than the first phase.

Abstract: A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.

Abstract: A method for the formation of a diffusion barrier layer on a surface of at least one fuel cell interconnect structure is described. The interconnect structure is usually formed from ferritic stainless steel, and includes chromium. The method includes the step of coating an austenite phase-stabilizer on the interconnect surface, and then heating the coated surface. The heat treatment transforms the microstructure of the surface region of the interconnect, from a substantially ferritic body-centered cubic (BCC) phase to a substantially austenitic face-centered cubic (FCC) phase. The diffusion rate of chromium through the FCC phase is relatively low. Thus, the formation of a thick layer of chromium oxide can be minimized, leading to better fuel cell performance. Related fuel cells and fuel cell stacks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a core for a ceramic shell mold is disclosed. A porous core body is formed from at least about 50% by weight of at least one rare earth metal oxide. The core body is heated under heating conditions sufficient to provide the core with a density of about 35% to about 80% of its theoretical density. The core body is then infiltrated with a liquid colloid or solution of at least one metal oxide compound, e.g., rare earth metal oxides; silica, aluminum oxide, transition metal oxides, and combinations thereof. The infiltrated core body is then heated to sinter the particles without substantially changing the dimensions of the core body. Mold-core assemblies which include such a core body are also described. A description of processes for casting a turbine component, using the core, is also set forth herein.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as cores and shell molds for casting of reactive metal alloys, and casting processes for producing components from such alloys. The composition contains a sintered particulate material of hafnia and at least one additional metal oxide in amounts to yield a ceramic composition containing up to 70 molar percent of hafnia, wherein the additional metal oxide is a rare-earth oxide, the sintered particulate material contains first and second phases, the first phase is the rare-earth oxide and hafnia in solid solution, the second phase is a compound of the rare-earth oxide and hafnia, and the second phase is less reactive with the reactive metal alloy than the first phase.