Abstract: A composition suitable for forming a support using a three-dimensional (3D) deposition method is presented. The composition includes a wax including at least one functional group capable of reacting with a build material used in the 3D deposition method, when exposed to an actinic radiation, wherein the functional group is itself substantially non-reactive to the actinic radiation. A method of forming a three dimensional (3D) article is also presented.

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: Compositions and methods useful for forming ceramic articles, such as, for instance, cores and shells for investment casting, are provided. The composition comprises a liquid that comprises a siloxane species; a plurality of particles, comprising a ceramic material, disposed within the liquid; a catalyst material disposed within the liquid; and a pore-forming agent disposed within the liquid. The pore-forming agent comprises a silicon-bearing agent that is substantially inert with respect to the liquid, and has an average molecular weight less than about 1300 grams per mole. The method comprises disposing any of the compositions described above in a desired shape; curing the siloxane species, and volatilizing the pore-forming agent to form a porous green body.

Abstract: A composition suitable for forming a support using a three-dimensional (3D) deposition method is presented. The composition includes a wax including at least one functional group capable of reacting with a build material used in the 3D deposition method, when exposed to an actinic radiation, wherein the functional group is itself substantially non-reactive to the actinic radiation. A method of forming a three dimensional (3D) article is also presented.

Abstract: A molding apparatus is provided. The molding apparatus includes a first block configured to receive a moldable article therein, a second block positioned a distance from the first block, and a shim including graphite. The shim is positioned between the first block and the second block, wherein the shim gradually disintegrates when heated such that the second block contacts the first block.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell may include a cell housing defining an interior volume with a window affixed to the cell housing for allowing the passage of light into the interior volume of the cell. A polymeric film may be affixed within the interior volume defining an anterior compartment and a posterior compartment within the cell housing. A plurality of semiconductor particles embedded continuously within a through thickness of the polymeric film so that a first respective surface area of the plurality of semiconductor particles is exposed to the anterior portion of the cell and a second respective surface area of the plurality of semiconductor particles is exposed to the posterior portion of the cell. The membrane may be immersed within an electrolyte so that incident radiation on the semiconductor particles causes oxidation and reduction to occur within the cell to produce gaseous hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A green product for use in fabricating a ceramic article comprises a ceramic powder immobilized within a silicone matrix, wherein the silicone matrix comprises one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers, wherein the one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers have a alkenyl reactive functional group and a hydride reactive functional group. Processes for forming a green product and a ceramic core with the silicone monomers and/or oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A starting material including silica and carbon is heated to form an intermediate material. The intermediate material includes silica and silicon carbide. The intermediate material is reacted to form silicon. At least some of the emissions that are generated by heating the starting material and reacting the intermediate material are collected and used to generate electric power.

Abstract: A starting material including silica and carbon is heated to form an intermediate material. The intermediate material includes silica and silicon carbide. The intermediate material is reacted to form silicon. At least some of the emissions that are generated by heating the starting material and reacting the intermediate material are collected and used to generate electric power.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an x-ray tube bearing cage includes the step of forming a bearing cage from a carbon-carbon composite material. A coating is applied to the carbon-carbon composite bearing cage. The coating includes an outer layer formed of a dry film lubricant. The coated carbon-carbon composite bearing cage is included in a bearing assembly in the x-ray tube and forms a lubricious enclosure for bearing balls positioned therein to minimize wear and heat generation in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A photoelectrolysis cell is described herein. The cell includes a photoelectrode based on a material having the general formula (Ln1?xMx)(Nb1?yTay)O1+xN2?x. Ln is at least one lanthanide element; M is at least one alkaline earth metal; 0?x?0.99; and 0?y?1. The photoelectrolysis cell further includes a counter-electrode formed from at least one metal or metallic alloy. An electrolyte which is in contact with both the photoelectrode and the counter-electrode is another component of the cell, along with a means for collecting hydrogen produced by the cell. A related process for producing hydrogen in a photoelectrolysis cell is also described.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of high-purity elemental silicon is described. The process includes the step of preparing a silica gel composition by reacting at least one organosilane compound with an aqueous composition, so as to form granules of the silica gel. A hydrocarbon species is then decomposed by way of a hydrocarbon cracking reaction in the presence of the silica gel composition, so that carbon resulting from the decomposition of the hydrocarbon species is deposited on the granules of the gel composition. Heating of the carbon-containing silica gel composition to an elevated temperature produces the elemental silicon product. Related methods for making photovoltaic cells, using the elemental silicon, are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming high-purity elemental silicon is disclosed. The method includes the step of heating a silica gel composition, or an intermediate composition derived from a silica gel composition, wherein the silica gel composition or intermediate composition includes at least about 5% by weight carbon, and the heating temperature is above about 1550° C. The heating step results in the production of a product which includes elemental silicon. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a photovoltaic cell. The method includes the step of forming a semiconductor substrate from elemental silicon prepared as described in this disclosure. Additional steps are then undertaken to fabricate the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an x-ray tube bearing cage includes the step of forming a bearing cage from a carbon-carbon composite material. A coating is applied to the carbon-carbon composite bearing cage. The coating includes an outer layer formed of a dry film lubricant. The coated carbon-carbon composite bearing cage is included in a bearing assembly in the x-ray tube and forms a lubricious enclosure for bearing balls positioned therein to minimize wear and heat generation in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a casting composition within a sacrificial die; wherein internal features of the sacrificial die provide a replica of a desired casting; wherein the casting composition has a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1; reacting the casting composition to form a gel matrix; removing the sacrificial die; extracting a solvent from the gel matrix to form a dried gel; and firing the dried gel to form a ceramic core. Disclosed herein too is a casting composition comprising a monomer and/or a polymer; and a metal and/or ceramic powder; wherein the casting composition has a viscosity of about 1 to about 1,000 Pascal-seconds at room temperature when tested at a shear rate of up to 70 seconds?1 and a flow index of less than 0.6.

Abstract: An apparatus including a crucible, an energy source, and a controller is provided. The crucible may be sealed to a nitrogen-containing gas, and may be chemically inert to at least ammonia at a temperature in a range of about 400 degrees Celsius to about 2500 degrees Celsius. The energy source may supply thermal energy to the crucible. The controller may control the energy source to selectively direct sufficient thermal energy to a predefined first volume within the crucible to attain and maintain a temperature in the first volume to be in a range of from about 400 degrees Celsius to about 2500 degrees Celsius. The thermal energy may be sufficient to initiate, sustain, or both initiate and sustain growth of a crystal in the first volume. The first temperature in the first volume may be controllable separately from a second temperature in another volume within the crucible. The first temperature and the second temperature differ from each other. Associated methods are provided.

Abstract: Phosphor compositions including those having the formulas A2-xEuxW1-yMoyO6, where A is selected from Y, Gd, Lu, La, and combinations thereof; and where 0.5?x?1.0, 0.01?y?1.0; MmOnX, wherein M is selected from the group of Sc, Y, a lanthanide, an alkali earth metal and mixtures thereof; X is a halogen; 1?m?3; and 1?n?4, and wherein the lanthanide doping level can range from 0.1 to 40% spectral weight; and Eu3+ activated phosphate or borate phosphors. Also disclosed are light emitting devices including a light source and at least one of the above phosphor compositions.

Abstract: A sensing element or detector activated by radiation comprising a first scintillator activated by gamma radiation; and a neutron sensing layer comprising a second scintillator activated by neutron radiation.

Abstract: There is provided white light illumination system including a radiation source, a first luminescent material having a peak emission wavelength of about 575 to about 620 nm, a second luminescent material having a peak emission wavelength of about 495 to about 550 nm, which is different from the first luminescent material and a third luminescent material having a peak emission wavelength of about 420 to about 480 nm, which is different from the first and second luminescent materials. The LED may be a UV LED and the luminescent materials may be a blend of three or four phosphors. The first phosphor may be an orange emitting Eu2+, Mn2+ activated strontium pyrophosphate, Sr2P2O7:Eu2+, Mn2+. The second phosphor may be a blue-green emitting Eu2+ activated barium silicate, (Ba,Sr,Ca)2SiO4:Eu2+. The third phosphor may be a blue emitting SECA phosphor, (Sr,Ba,Ca)5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+. Optionally, the fourth phosphor may be a red emitting Mn4+ activated magnesium fluorogermanate, 3.5MgO*0.5MgF2*GeO2:Mn4+.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprises a light-emitting member, which comprises two electrodes and an organic electroluminescent material disposed between the electrodes, and at least one organic photoluminescent (“PL”) material. The light-emitting member emits light having a first spectrum in response to a voltage applied across the two electrodes. The organic PL material absorbs a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting member and emits light having second spectrum different than the first spectrum. The light-emitting device can include an inorganic PL material that absorbs another portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting member and emits light having a third spectrum different than both the first and the second spectra.