Abstract: Hydroxyapatite is treated by a combination of nitridation and the application of bone morphogenetic protein or DNA encoding such a protein to improve the tissue compatibility and affinity of the hydroxyapatite, rendering the hydroxyapatite more useful as a material for biomedical implants.

Abstract: Optical windows for protecting infrared sensing instruments are manufactured from nano-sized crystallites by compressing the crystallites into a continuous mass under high pressure in the presence of a pulsed electric current, preferably one produced by spark plasma sintering. The resulting materials have excellent optical and mechanical properties that make them favorable as replacements for the conventional single-crystal sapphire.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite is treated by a combination of nitridation and the application of bone morphogenetic protein or DNA encoding such a protein to improve the tissue compatibility and affinity of the hydroxyapatite, rendering the hydroxyapatite more useful as a material for biomedical implants.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite is treated by a combination of nitridation and the application of bone morphogenetic protein to improve the tissue compatibility and affinity of the hydroxyapatite, rendering the hydroxyapatite more useful as a material for biomedical implants.

Abstract: A method through which we can synthesize Functionally Graded Materials (FGM). Such materials are made so that their composition changes gradually from one point to another, such as in the example of gradient index (GRIN) optical components. A novel aspect of our method is the imposition of a centrifugal force during the combustion synthesis of composite materials for structural, optical, or electronic applications, with the result that the composition and the particle size of the metallic (or ceramic) component changes continuously and across the thickness of the product. We have prepared such FGM as ZrO.sub.2 +Ni, ZrO.sub.2 +Cu and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +Cu.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of ultrafine oxide particles using organized reaction media. Integrated circuit (IC) densities have necessitated the use of ultrahigh purity process fluids in state of the art fabrication facilities. It is the purpose of the present invention to synthesize monodispersed submicron particles of some representative contaminants, such as ultrafine oxide particles, using organized reaction media, and study their characteristics in relation to their removal from process fluids.

Abstract: Crystal growth is effected by laser energy input and direct heating at a glass-crystal interface. The process is based on the use of a laser beam of appropriate wavelength as a means of providing heat to the interface due to transmittance differences between the glass and crystal phases. The process is useful for inducing crystal growth in amorphous semiconductors and oriented crystal growth in ceramic, metallic, and polymeric glasses, and for producing shaped single crystals from preformed glassy shapes. The transmittance differences can be used to provide direct heat and thus drive any two-phase boundary on a microscopic scale.

Abstract: Slag buildup in high-temperature areas of a furnace system is minimized by adding to the molten ash particles carried by the flue gas a conditioner which is taken up by those molten particles and produces a nucleating effect when those particles cool, causing them to solidify more rapidly, thereby preventing deposit formation or resulting in considerably more friable deposits.