Abstract: A thermoplastic bonded preform and method of manufacturing the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a primary fiber comprising little or no sizing; a mechanical fiber; and a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bonded preform and method of manufacturing the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a primary fiber comprising little or no sizing; a mechanical fiber; and a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bonded preform and method of manufacturing the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a primary fiber comprising little or no sizing; a mechanical fiber; and a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A carbon-based composite part and process for making the part. The composition comprises 35 to 75 wt % graphite powder; 20 to 50 wt % resin powder; and 5 to 25 wt % discontinuous carbon fibers no longer than 3 mm.

Abstract: A method of making a filter includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a porous surface; applying to the porous surface a coating of dry powder comprising particles to form a filter preform; and heating the filter preform to bind the substrate and the particles together to form a filter.

Abstract: A carbon-based composite part and process for making the part. The composition comprises 35 to 75 wt % graphite powder; 20 to 50 wt % resin powder; and 5 to 25 wt % discontinuous carbon fibers no longer than 3 mm.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a sapphire body having thereon a cladding containing spinel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for molding complex and intricately shaped high density monolithic carbon, carbon-carbon, graphite, and thermoplastic composites using gelcasting technology. The method comprising a polymeric carbon precursor, a solvent, a dispersant, an anti-foaming agent, a monomer system, and an initiator system. The components are combined to form a suspension which is poured into a mold and heat-treated to form a thermoplastic part. The thermoplastic part can then be further densified and heat-treated to produce a high density carbon or graphite composite. The present invention also discloses the products derived from this method.

Abstract: A method of making a filter includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a porous surface; applying to the porous surface a coating of dry powder comprising particles to form a filter preform; and heating the filter preform to bind the substrate and the particles together to form a filter.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a sapphire body having thereon a cladding containing spinel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for molding complex and intricately shaped high density monolithic carbon, carbon-carbon, graphite, and thermoplastic composites using gelcasting technology. The method comprising a polymeric carbon precursor, a solvent, a dispersant, an anti-foaming agent, a monomer system, and an initiator system. The components are combined to form a suspension which is poured into a mold and heat-treated to form a thermoplastic part. The thermoplastic part can then be further densified and heat-treated to produce a high density carbon or graphite composite.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for molding complex and intricately shaped high density monolithic carbon, carbon-carbon, graphite, and thermoplastic composites using gelcasting technology. The method comprising a polymeric carbon precursor, a solvent, a dispersant, an anti-foaming agent, a monomer system, and an initiator system. The components are combined to form a suspension which is poured into a mold and heat-treated to form a thermoplastic part. The thermoplastic part can then be further densified and heat-treated to produce a high density carbon or graphite composite. The present invention also discloses the products derived from this method.

Abstract: A polymer gel is formed into a mold defining a preselected shape. A flowable composition may be formed into a preselected shape via contact with the polymer gel mold.

Abstract: A polymer gel is formed into a mold defining a preselected shape. A flowable composition may be formed into a preselected shape via contact with the polymer gel mold.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for molding complex and intricately shaped high density monolithic carbon, carbon-carbon, graphite, and thermoplastic composites using gelcasting technology. The method comprising a polymeric carbon precursor, a solvent, a dispersant, an anti-foaming agent, a monomer system, and an initiator system. The components are combined to form a suspension which is poured into a mold and heat-treated to form a thermoplastic part. The thermoplastic part can then be further densified and heat-treated to produce a high density carbon or graphite composite. The present invention also discloses the products derived from this method.

Abstract: A gelcasting composition has improved drying behavior, machinability and shelf life in the dried and unfired state. The composition includes an inorganic powder, solvent, monomer system soluble in the solvent, an initiator system for polymerizing the monomer system, and a plasticizer soluble in the solvent. Dispersants and other processing aides to control slurry properties can be added. The plasticizer imparts an ability to dry thick section parts, to store samples in the dried state without cracking under conditions of varying relative humidity, and to machine dry gelcast parts without cracking or chipping. A method of making gelcast parts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of gelcasting includes the steps of providing a solution of at least hydroxymethylacrylamide (HMAM) and water. At least one inorganic powder is added to the mixture. At least one initiator system is provided to polymerize the HMAM. The initiator polymerizes the HMAM and water, to form a firm hydrogel that contains the inorganic powder. One or more comonomers can be polymerized with the HMAM monomer, to alter the final properties of the gelcast material. Additionally, one or more additives can be included in the polymerization mixture, to alter the properties of the gelcast material.

Abstract: A method of drying a green particulate article includes the steps of:a. Providing a green article which includes a particulate material and a pore phase material, the pore phase material including a solvent; andb. contacting the green article with a liquid desiccant for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the green article, the pore phase material acting as a semipermeable barrier to allow the solvent to be sorbed into the liquid desiccant, the pore phase material substantially preventing the liquid desiccant from entering the pores.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recognizing written items including characters and symbols is disclosed. A scanner is utilized for scanning the characters and symbols. A recognition module is used to confidently identify the scanned characters and symbols. The recognition module includes a mechanism for recognizing characters. This mechanism includes a character recognition rule base which yields identified characters and unidentified characters. The unidentified characters are conveyed to neural networks for recognition. The recognition module also includes a mechanism for recognizing symbols. This mechanism includes a symbol recognition rule base which yields identified symbols and unidentified symbols. The unidentified symbols are conveyed to neural networks for recognition. The recognition module also includes a mechanism for context processing of the characters and symbols. The context processor utilizes a multilevel blackboard with a number of ascending levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and monitoring a change in the dimension of a sample being heated by microwave energy is described. The apparatus comprises a microwave heating device for heating a sample by microwave energy, a microwave compatible dilatometer for measuring and monitoring a change in the dimension of the sample being heated by microwave energy without leaking microwaves out of the microwave heating device, and a temperature determination device for measuring and monitoring the temperature of the sample being heated by microwave energy.