Abstract: A slurry composition includes, by volume, a ceramic composition in an amount of from about 60 to about 75 percent and a binder in an amount of from about 25 to about 40 percent, plus a platinum group metal catalyst and a dopant. The ceramic composition includes, by volume of the ceramic composition, fine fused silica particles having a particle size d50 of from about 4 ?m to about 7 ?m, in an amount of from about 7 to about 40 percent; coarse fused silica particles having a d50 of from about 25 ?m to about 33 ?m, in an amount of from about 29 to about 60 percent; inert filler particles having a d50 of from about 5 ?m to about 25 ?m, in an amount of from about 8 to about 40 percent; and fumed silica particles, in an amount of up to about 15 percent.

Abstract: A slurry composition includes, by volume, a ceramic composition in an amount of from about 60 to about 75 percent and a binder in an amount of from about 25 to about 40 percent, plus a platinum group metal catalyst and a dopant. The ceramic composition includes, by volume of the ceramic composition, fine fused silica particles having a particle size d50 of from about 4 ?m to about 7 ?m, in an amount of from about 7 to about 40 percent; coarse fused silica particles having a d50 of from about 25 ?m to about 33 ?m, in an amount of from about 29 to about 60 percent; inert filler particles having a d50 of from about 5 ?m to about 25 ?m, in an amount of from about 8 to about 40 percent; and fumed silica particles, in an amount of up to about 15 percent.

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: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing defects in a ceramic core adapted for use in a casting process. The ceramic core is formed from a slurry comprising at least one refractory powder material suspended in a liquid vehicle. The method includes forming a repair mixture comprising a liquid diluent and the at least one refractory powder material suspended in the liquid vehicle of the slurry. The repair mixture is applied to a region of the ceramic core that includes at least one defect and then the ceramic core is fired to burn off the liquid vehicle in the repair mixture and form a ceramic composition that closes the defect.

Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic electrolyte suitable for use in a fuel cell is provided. The method comprises situating a ceramic electrolyte layer over an anode layer; and subjecting the ceramic electrolyte layer to a stress prior to operation of the fuel cell, by: exposing the top surface of the electrolyte layer to an oxidizing atmosphere and the bottom surface of the electrolyte layer to a reducing atmosphere; and heating the electrolyte layer. The stress causes a substantial increase in the number of microcracks, or in the average size of the microcracks, or in both the number of the microcracks and their average size. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte layer processed by the disclosed method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic electrolyte suitable for use in a fuel cell is provided. The method comprises situating a ceramic electrolyte layer over an anode layer; and subjecting the ceramic electrolyte layer to a stress prior to operation of the fuel cell, by: exposing the top surface of the electrolyte layer to an oxidizing atmosphere and the bottom surface of the electrolyte layer to a reducing atmosphere; and heating the electrolyte layer. The stress causes a substantial increase in the number of microcracks, or in the average size of the microcracks, or in both the number of the microcracks and their average size. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte layer processed by the disclosed method is also provided.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A pre-sealed anode tube assembly for a sodium-metal-halide energy storage device includes an anode tube and a feed-through current collector assembly at least partially sealed within the anode tube. The pre-sealed anode tube assembly can be independently transported prior to being integrated with a desired sodium-metal-halide energy storage device.

Abstract: A method for making a doped magnesium diboride powder is provided. The method includes coating a polymeric precursor on at least one of a plurality of particles of a first phase, where the first phase includes a magnesium diboride powder, where the polymeric precursor includes chemical elements yielding a second phase. The second phase includes one or more of a boride, a nitride, a carbide, an oxide, an oxy-boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof. The method further includes forming a second phase coating onto at least one of the plurality of particles of the magnesium diboride powder.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A method for making a doped magnesium diboride powder is provided. The method includes coating a polymeric precursor on at least one of a plurality of particles of a first phase, where the first phase includes a magnesium diboride powder, where the polymeric precursor includes chemical elements yielding a second phase. The second phase includes one or more of a boride, a nitride, a carbide, an oxide, an oxy-boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof. The method further includes forming a second phase coating onto at least one of the plurality of particles of the magnesium diboride powder.

Abstract: A wire having a metal matrix is provided. The wire further includes a plurality of filaments disposed in the metal matrix, where at least one of the plurality of filaments includes doped magnesium diboride powder. The doped magnesium diboride powder includes a first phase having a plurality of magnesium diboride particles having a chemical formula MgB2-xSx, where x represents an atomic percentage, and wherein S represents carbon, boron, nitrogen, oxygen, or combinations thereof. The powder further includes a second phase surrounding each of the plurality of magnesium diboride particles, where the second phase includes a carbide, a nitride, an oxide, a boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-boride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing substantially all of the volatile component in a green, volatile-containing ceramic article is disclosed. The method comprises freezing the ceramic article; and then subjecting the frozen article to a vacuum for a sufficient time to freeze-dry the article. Frequently, the article is heated while being freeze-dried. Use of this method efficiently reduces the propensity for any warpage of the article. The article is often formed from a ceramic slurry in a gel-casting process. A method for fabricating a ceramic core used in investment casting is also described.

Abstract: A method of removing substantially all of the volatile component in a green, volatile-containing ceramic article is disclosed. The method comprises freezing the ceramic article; and then subjecting the frozen article to a vacuum for a sufficient time to freeze-dry the article. Frequently, the article is heated while being freeze-dried. Use of this method efficiently reduces the propensity for any warpage of the article. The article is often formed from a ceramic slurry in a gel-casting process. A method for fabricating a ceramic core used in investment casting is also described.

Abstract: A method of removing substantially all of the volatile component in a green, volatile-containing ceramic article is disclosed. The method comprises freezing the ceramic article; and then subjecting the frozen article to a vacuum for a sufficient time to freeze-dry the article. Frequently, the article is heated while being freeze-dried. Use of this method efficiently reduces the propensity for any warpage of the article. The article is often formed from a ceramic slurry in a gel-casting process. A method for fabricating a ceramic core used in investment casting is also described.