Abstract: A method of making a cubic halide scintillator material includes pressing a powder mixture of cubic halide and at least one activator under conditions of pressure, temperature, residence time and particle size effective to provide a polycrystalline sintered cubic halide scintillator having a pulse height resolution of from about 7% to about 20%. The conditions include a temperature ranging from about ambient temperature up to about 90% of the melting point of the cubic halide, a pressure of from about 30,000 psi to about 200,000 psi, a pressing residence time of from about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes and an average cubic halide particle size of from about 60 micrometers to about 275 micrometers.

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 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 method of making a cubic halide scintillator material includes pressing a powder mixture of cubic halide and at least one activator under conditions of pressure, temperature, residence time and particle size effective to provide a polycrystalline sintered cubic halide scintillator having a pulse height resolution of from about 7% to about 20%. The conditions include a temperature ranging from about ambient temperature up to about 90% of the melting point of the cubic halide, a pressure of from about 30,000 psi to about 200,000 psi, a pressing residence time of from about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes and an average cubic halide particle size of from about 60 micrometers to about 275 micrometers.

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 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: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a gel casting composition between an outer die and a wax pattern; wherein the wax pattern is a replica of a desired casting; reacting the gel casting composition to form a gel matrix; removing the wax pattern; extracting a solvent from the gel matrix to form a dried gel; and firing the dried gel to form a gel cast mold. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing a gel casting composition between an outer die and a wax pattern; wherein the wax pattern is a replica of a turbine component; reacting the gel casting composition to form a gel matrix; removing the wax pattern; extracting a solvent from the gel matrix to form a dried gel; and firing the dried gel to form a gel cast mold.

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: A method and apparatus are implemented in software to control motor speed as a function of available power in a DC source—inverter—AC motor system, i.e. to perform maximum power tracking of motor speed. An inverter or motor drive converts DC power from a DC source, such as a solar panel, to AC power, to power the motor. The inverter or motor drive is controlled by software, implemented either by programmable features built directly into the inverter or drive or by a separate programmable device connected to the inverter or drive, to track motor power as a function of source power. The software-controlled inverter or drive sets motor speed as a function of source power by sensing only a single parameter, the DC source voltage. The software-controlled inverter or drive samples the source voltage at preset intervals, and changes the frequency of the AC output of the inverter or drive to match or track the available power so that the motor operates at or near its optimum for any source voltage.

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 method of making a multi-cation ceramic having an average grain size of less than 1 micron is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least a first material and a second material, wherein the first material comprises a first cation and the second material comprises a second cation, and wherein the first cation and the second cation are different from each other and each of the first material and the second material are nanopowders; forming a mixture comprising the first material and the second material; forming a green body from the mixture; and forming a dense multi-cation ceramic material comprising the first cation and the second cation, wherein the dense multi-cation ceramic material comprises a major phase comprising the first cation and the second cation and that is different from the first material and the second material. The multi-cation ceramic has a high density and high in-line transmission.

Abstract: A motor is shut off when its operation encounters no load conditions, e.g. low water conditions for a submersible pump motor. The shutoff signal is obtained from the motor frequency and motor power. When motor frequency exceeds the rated frequency and motor power drops to a preselected level below rated power, a shutoff signal is produced. The motor can be kept off for a preselected period of time before attempting to restart.

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: A single crystal or quasi-single crystal including one or more Group III material and an impurity. The impurity includes one or more elements from Group IA, Group IIA, Groups IIIB to VIIB, Group VIII, Group IB, Group IIB, or Group VIIA elements of the periodic table of elements. A composition for forming a crystal is also provided. The composition includes a source material comprising a Group III element, and a flux comprising one or more of P, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pd, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Pt, Au, Hg, Ge, or Sb; or the flux may comprise a rare earth metal.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprised of a light emitting diode on a mounting surface, the light emitting diode includes a substrate layer and at least one active region. A resilient substantially transparent and substantially phosphor free polymer layer extends from the mounting surface to above at least one quarter of a height of the substrate layer but below a top surface of the light emitting diode. A second phosphor containing layer extends from the phosphor free polymer layer to above the top surface of the light emitting diode.

Abstract: A system for sintering a quartz tube, such as a quartz fiber optic sleeve tube. The system comprises a furnace for heating the quartz tube to a temperature of at least 1400° C. in a controlled atmosphere, a support rod assembly for the quartz tube, and means for positioning the quartz tube and a portion of the support rod assembly within the furnace. The support rod assembly includes a cylindrical support rod that straightens and supports the quartz tube and prevents tapering of the inner diameter due to creep, and at least one retaining portion coupled to at least one end of the cylindrical support rod for preventing slippage of the quartz tube from the support rod assembly. A mandrel assembly for fabricating a quartz fiber optic sleeve tube, a method of making a quartz fiber optic sleeve tube using the mandrel assembly, and a quartz fiber optic sleeve tube are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fused quartz article, such as a muffle tube or crucible, with enhanced creep resistance. The enhanced creep resistance is the result of controlled devitrification of the fused quartz article. Controlled devitrification is achieved by coating the article with a colloidal silica slurry doped with metal cations, such as barium, strontium, and calcium. The metal cations in the slurry promote nucleation and growth of cristobalite crystals into the fused quartz at temperatures in the range from about 1000° C. to about 1600° C. The cristobalite has significantly. higher viscosity, and therefore greater creep resistance at elevated temperatures, than fused quartz. Methods for applying a doped coating to a fused quartz article and improving the creep resistance of a fused quartz article are also disclosed.

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 light emitting device comprised of a light emitting diode on a mounting surface, the light emitting diode includes a substrate layer and at least one active region. A resilient substantially transparent and substantially phosphor free polymer layer extends from the mounting surface to above at least one quarter of a height of the substrate layer but below a top surface of the light emitting diode. A second phosphor containing layer extends from the phosphor free polymer layer to above the top surface of the light emitting diode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new class of piezoelectric composites with a radial design. More particularly, the radial design of these new ceramic/polymer composites show a higher sensitivity in the radial direction than conventional tube structured devices. Devices made utilizing this novel design will therefore show significantly enhanced performance in many applications.