Abstract: Composite cordierite honeycomb structures especially suitable for diesel exhaust filtration applications comprise a non-oxide polycrystalline phase constituting 10-70% by weight, with the remainder of the ceramic material constituting a cordierite phase, the non-oxide polycrystalline phase being selected from the group consisting of carbides, nitrides, and borides. Preferably the non-oxide phase is either polycrystalline silicon carbide or polycrystalline silicon nitride and has a particle aspect ratio of less than 3. Inventive ceramic bodies are porous with an open porosity of at least 30%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and a median pore size of at least 5 micrometers, more preferably greater than 8 micrometers and less than 12 micrometers.

Abstract: A process for forming a silicon carbide structure includes molding by compression a mixture of a silicon precursor powder and a cross-linking thermoset resin to form a rigid structure, carbonizing the rigid structure, and forming a silicon carbide structure by heating the carbonized rigid structure at a temperature sufficient to allow carbon and silicon in the structure to react to form silicon carbide.

Abstract: A silicon carbide honeycomb body is made by shaping a plasticizable raw material batch mixture containing powdered silicon metal, a water soluble crosslinking thermoset resin, a powdered silicon-containing filler, a water soluble thermoplastic binder, and water into a green honeycomb body, and thereafter drying, curing and sintering the green body at a temperature sufficient to convert the green body to a porous silicon carbide sintered body.

Abstract: A process for forming a porous silicon nitride-silicon carbide body, the process comprising (a) forming a plasticizable batch mixture comprising (1) powdered silicon metal; (2) a silicon-containing source selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and mixtures thereof; (3) a water soluble crosslinking thermoset resin having a viscosity of about 50-300 centipoise; and, (4) a water soluble thermoplastic temporary binder; (b) shaping the plasticizable batch mixture to form a green body; (c) drying the green body; (d) firing the green body in nitrogen at a temperature of 1400° C. to 1600° C. for a time sufficient to obtain a silicon nitride-silicon carbide structure.

Abstract: A process for forming a porous silicon nitride-silicon carbide body, the process comprising (a) forming a plasticizable batch mixture comprising (1) powdered silicon metal; (2) a silicon-containing source selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and mixtures thereof; (3) a water soluble crosslinking thermoset resin having a viscosity of about 50-300 centipoise; and, (4) a water soluble thermoplastic temporary binder; (b) shaping the plasticizable batch mixture to form a green body; (c) drying the green body; (d) firing the green body in nitrogen at a temperature of 1400° C. to 1600° C. for a time sufficient to obtain a silicon nitride-silicon carbide structure.

Abstract: Carbon monolith-supported catalysts with high leach resistance used in catalytic applications involving strong acidic and basic conditions in a pH range of from 0 to 6.5 and from 7.5 to 14, are respectively described. The leach resistance of the catalyst system originates from strong interaction between the catalyst and the unsaturated valence of the carbon surface. In addition to surprisingly high resistance to leach out, the catalysts also have substantial differential advantages in catalyst performance: catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability.

Abstract: A plasticizable raw material batch mixture for forming a silicon carbide honeycomb structure comprising the following components: (1) powdered silicon metal; (2) a carbon precursor comprising a water soluble crosslinking thermoset resin having a viscosity of less than about 1000 centipoise (cp), and preferably less than about 500 cp; (3) a powdered silicon-containing filler; and, (4) a water soluble thermoplastic binder. Optionally, the batch mixture can include either, or both, an organic fibrous filler and a pore-forming filler comprising either a graphitic or a thermoplastic pore-forming filler.

Abstract: An integrated planar Bragg grating is fabricated by depositing layers of material onto a negative expansion substrate to form a waveguide, which is held in mechanical tension with the substrate. A Bragg grating is then formed in the waveguide. As the temperature of the waveguide increases, the mechanical tension between the waveguide and the substrate is relieved, such that the peak reflection wavelength of the Bragg grating remains nearly constant.

Abstract: An activated carbon catalyst having sulfur dispersed homogeneously thereon, the sulfur being chemically bonded to the activated carbon. A method of making the catalyst involves forming an intimate mixture of a synthetic carbon precursor and a sulfur-containing material, curing the carbon precursor, carbonizing the carbon precursor, activating the carbonized carbon precursor to produce an activated carbon catalyst having sulfur chemically bonded to said activated carbon and uniformly dispersed thereon.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and method of making involves forming a mixture of a high carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields greater than about 40% carbon on a cured basis, and an additive that can be catalyst metal and/or low carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields no greater than about 40% by weight carbon on a cured basis. When a catalyst metal is used, the amount of catalyst metal after the subsequent carbonization step is no greater than about 1 wt. % based on the carbon. The mixture is cured, and the carbon precursors are carbonized and activated to produce mesoporous activated carbon.

Abstract: A cyst reduction water filter and a method and carafe system for using it, wherein the filter incorporates a cellular ceramic honeycomb filter element of a selectively plugged channel configuration wherein all water filtration paths traverse porous channel walls, the walls exhibiting open porosity characterized by a median pore diameter in the range of about 2-8 micrometers and with pores over 10 microns in diameter comprising not more than 10% of the open pore volume, and wherein the filter element has a primed water flux of at least 0.3 ml/min/cm3 under a water pressure of 0.3 psig.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and method of making involves forming a mixture of a high carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields greater than about 40% carbon on a cured basis, and an additive that can be catalyst metal and/or low carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields no greater than about 40% by weight carbon on a cured basis. When a catalyst metal is used, the amount of catalyst metal after the subsequent carbonization step is no greater than about 1 wt. % based on the carbon. The mixture is cured, and the carbon precursors are carbonized and activated to produce mesoporous activated carbon.

Abstract: The fabrication of activated carbon based supercapacitors. In particular, a monolithic activated carbon plate or honeycomb electrodes (4, 6 and 8) made by extrusion, molding, or casting is described. The carbon monolithic plates or honeycombs are fabricated from synthetic carbon precursor and active ingredient leading to superior electrical properties.

Abstract: An electrode for deionization of water is made of a continuous activated carbon structure. The activated carbon is derived from a synthetic carbon precursor. The structure has openings, inlet and outlet ends such that water entering the inlet end passes through the openings and exits through the outlet end, a conductive coating on at least part of the outer surface of the structure, and a metal wire in contact with the structure. A deionization system is made up of the electrodes in series so that the outlet end of one electrode is next to the inlet end of the nearest downstream electrode. The metal wire of each electrode is connected to a power source to deliver the opposite charge as the charge delivered to its neighboring electrodes. Each of the electrodes is fixedly attached to and sealed within a housing with an air and moisture-tight seal. Openings in the housing between the electrodes, allow air to be removed before use.

Abstract: An activated carbon body and method of making the body which involves providing an inorganic substrate, thermosetting resin, and an adsorption enhancing additive which can be sulfur and/or oil which is non-miscible with and non-reactive with the carbon precursor, contacting the inorganic substrate with the carbon precursor and the adsorption enhancing additive to coat the substrate therewith, curing and carbonizing the carbon precursor, and activating the carbon to produce a coating of activated carbon on the substrate and form the activated carbon body. Another method involves forming a mixture of thermosetting resin, adsorption enhancing additive, which can be sulfur, phosphoric acid, and/or the oil, temporary organic binder, optional forming aid, and fillers, shaping the mixture into a body, followed by curing, carbonizing, and activating to produce a shaped body of activated carbon. When sulfur is utilized, a sulfur-carbon bond forms that is characterized by a peak at 165.

Abstract: A method of producing a continuous carbon structure involves providing an inorganic support and a synthetic carbon precursor, contacting the inorganic support with the carbon precursor, curing and carbonizing the carbon precursor. Prior to the carbonizing step, a potassium compound is introduced into the carbon precursor. The potassium compound is greater than about 3% by weight of the total weight of the carbon precursor and potassium compound.The potassium compound is then removed from the carbonized carbon structure. A carbon structure is produced having a surface area of at least about 100 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: An activated carbon catalyst having sulfur dispersed homogeneously thereon, the sulfur being chemically bonded to the activated carbon. A method of making the catalyst involves forming an intimate mixture of a synthetic carbon precursor and a sulfur-containing material, curing the carbon precursor, carbonizing the carbon precursor, activating the carbonized carbon precursor to produce an activated carbon catalyst having sulfur chemically bonded to the activated carbon and uniformly dispersed thereon.

Abstract: An activated carbon-crystalline titanium and/or tin silicate composite for purifying waste streams and method of making. The method involves providing a combination of a synthetic carbon precursor, and titanium and/or tin silicate, followed by curing, carbonizing, and activating the carbon precursor. The composite is used to purify fluid streams such as water, of pollutants such as VOC's, heavy metals such as lead, and chlorine.

Abstract: An electrically heatable activated carbon body and method of making and using the body. The body is composed of a non-metallic monolithic structure having activated carbon and means for passage of a workstream therethrough; the device is adapted for conducting an electric current therethrough. The body is used in adsorption and desorption applications wherein an electric current is passed through the structure having adsorbed species, to raise the temperature above the desorption temperature of the adsorbed species, to cause desorption of the adsorbed species which then pass out of the structure. The body is preferably an activated carbon coated honeycomb which is fitted with a conducting metal.

Abstract: Free-flowing carbon and method of producing that involves combining in an aqueous medium, a thermosetting resin carbon precursor and optionally additional carbon precursor which can be petroleum and/or coal tar pitch, filler material at least when the resin is a liquid resin, and oil that is non-reactive with the thermosetting resin and the additional carbon precursor and removable during the curing or carbonizing steps, to form an aqueous mixture, followed by curing and carbonizing to produce free-flowing carbon particles or beads. The carbon can be activated to produce free-flowing activated carbon.