Abstract: The present invention relates to a feedstock composition comprising inorganic particles having a multi-modal particle size distribution and comprising a collection of irregular fine particles having a fine particle size distribution and an average fine particle diameter, and a collection of irregular coarse particles having a coarse particle size distribution and an average coarse particle diameter that is in a range from 4 to 7 times the average fine particle diameter. The feedstock composition further comprising a binder composition that is adapted to solidify to form a body comprising the inorganic particles and solidified binder composition. Additionally, the present composition provides a method of forming a shaped body that comprises inorganic particles dispersed in binder composition as well as a method of forming a low porosity inorganic sintered body.

Abstract: Precision glass molds are described, which are formed by coating a mold made from high purity, fme grain sized graphite, with a coating including titanium. In various implementations, the titanium coating is overcoated with yttria (Y2O3) to provide a high precision glass mold of superior performance character. The resultant glass molds can be used to form glass articles having a highly smooth finish, for high precision applications such as consumer electronic device applications, medical instruments, and optical devices. The use of high purity, fme grain size graphite allows molds to be machined at low cost, thereby eliminating the need to fabricate a metal mold that must be coated with multiple layers including metal diffusion barrier layers to meet operational requirements for such precision applications.

Abstract: A silicon carbide-graphite composite is described, including (i) interior bulk graphite material and (ii) exterior silicon carbide matrix material, wherein the interior bulk graphite material and exterior silicon carbide matrix material inter-penetrate one another at an interfacial region therebetween, and wherein graphite is present in inclusions in the exterior silicon carbide matrix material. Such material may be formed by contacting a precursor graphite article with silicon monoxide (SiO) gas under chemical reaction conditions that are effective to convert an exterior portion of the precursor graphite article to a silicon carbide matrix material in which graphite is present in inclusions therein, and wherein the silicon carbide matrix material and interior bulk graphite material interpenetrate one another at an interfacial region therebetween.

Abstract: Described are molds that include a ceramic material at a surface, as well as methods of forming the molds, and methods of using the molds; the ceramic material is constituted substantially, mostly, or entirely of three elemental components designated M, A, and X; the “M” component is at least one transition metal; the “A” component is one or a combination of Si, Al, Ge, Pb, Sn, Ga, P, S, In, As, Tl, and Cd; and the “X” component is carbon, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A silicon carbide-graphite composite is described, including (i) interior bulk graphite material and (ii) exterior silicon carbide matrix material, wherein the interior bulk graphite material and exterior silicon carbide matrix material inter-penetrate one another at an interfacial region therebetween, and wherein graphite is present in inclusions in the exterior silicon carbide matrix material. Such material may be formed by contacting a precursor graphite article with silicon monoxide (SiO) gas under chemical reaction conditions that are effective to convert an exterior portion of the precursor graphite article to a silicon carbide matrix material in which graphite is present in inclusions therein, and wherein the silicon carbide matrix material and interior bulk graphite material interpenetrate one another at an interfacial region therebetween.

Abstract: Described are silicon carbide filters for use with liquid metals such as liquid tin, as well as methods of using such a filter to remove particles from the liquid metal, and systems and processes that use the filtered liquid metal.

Abstract: Described are glass-forming molds made of a graphite mold body and a coating formed by atomic layer deposition, with the coating being made of alumina or a combination of alumina and yttria.

Abstract: A carbon material is described, having utility for fabricating an electrode of an electrochemical energy device, wherein the carbon material includes a particulate carbon having a particle size d50 in a range of from 1 to 15 ?m, a bulk density in a range of from 0.3 g/cc to 1.2 g/cc, a surface area as measured by nitrogen BET surface area determination at 25° C. that does not exceed 10 m2/g, and an impurity content of less than 3000 ppm by weight, based on weight of the carbon material. Such carbon material may be utilized in amorphous or graphitic form in an electrode of an electrochemical energy device, such as a negative electrode of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-ion hybrid capacitor.

Abstract: Precision glass molds are described, which are formed by coating a mold made from high purity, fine grain sized graphite, with a coating including titanium. In various implementations, the titanium coating is overcoated with yttria (Y2O3) to provide a high precision glass mold of superior performance character. The resultant glass molds can be used to form glass articles having a highly smooth finish, for high precision applications such as consumer electronic device applications, medical instruments, and optical devices. The use of high purity, fine grain size graphite allows molds to be machined at low cost, thereby eliminating the need to fabricate a metal mold that must be coated with multiple layers including metal diffusion barrier layers to meet operational requirements for such precision applications.

Abstract: Described are silicon carbide filters for use with liquid metals such as liquid tin, as well as methods of using such a filter to remove particles from the liquid metal, and systems and processes that use the filtered liquid metal.

Abstract: A carbon material is described, having utility for fabricating an electrode of an electrochemical energy device, wherein the carbon material includes a particulate carbon having a particle size d50 in a range of from 1 to 15 ?m, a bulk density in a range of from 0.3 g/cc to 1.2 g/cc, a surface area as measured by nitrogen BET surface area determination at 25° C. that does not exceed 10 m2/g, and an impurity content of less than 3000 ppm by weight, based on weight of the carbon material. Such carbon material may be utilized in amorphous or graphitic form in an electrode of an electrochemical energy device, such as a negative electrode of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-ion hybrid capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and components for protecting reticles and specifically for minimizing haze formation on reticles during storage and use. By substantially continually maintaining a purge in a storage housing having a reduced humidity level on reticles or by temporarily storing the reticle in a container in proximity to a desiccant or getter when not being purged, haze formation can be eliminated, minimized, or sufficiently controlled. Moreover, a filter media in the container may be positioned to be “recharged” during the substantially continual purging of the reticle, a reduced desirable humidity level can be readily maintained in the reticle container when the container is not currently being purged. Additionally, the system of the invention can comprise an ionizer associated with the purge system. For example, the ionizer can be associated with at least one of the plurality of purge lines of the purge system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and components for protecting reticles and specifically for minimizing haze formation on reticles during storage and use. By substantially continually maintaining a purge in a storage housing having a reduced humidity level on reticles or by temporarily storing the reticle in a container in proximity to a desiccant or getter when not being purged, haze formation can be eliminated, minimized, or sufficiently controlled. Moreover, a filter media in the container may be positioned to be “recharged” during the substantially continual purging of the reticle, a reduced desirable humidity level can be readily maintained in the reticle container when the container is not currently being purged. Additionally, the system of the invention can comprise an ionizer associated with the purge system. For example, the ionizer can be associated with at least one of the plurality of purge lines of the purge system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for purifying inorganic halides and/or oxyhalides. In one embodiment, the method of the present invention includes contacting an inorganic halide or oxyhalide feed liquid with a zeolite to produce a purified inorganic halide or oxyhalide liquid. In one embodiment, the zeolite is a type-Y zeolite in a hydrogen form. In another aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus for purifying an inorganic halide or oxyhalide. The apparatus comprises: (a) a liquid filtration housing including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; and (b) a type-Y zeolite in a hydrogen form. Molecular and/or ionic impurities can be removed from the feed liquid using a filtration media that includes a zeolite. In a preferred embodiment, both molecular and ionic impurities are removed from the feed liquid using filtration media that includes a zeolite.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems of purging of transfer containers, such as standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) pods. In particular, purified purge gases can purify front operated unified pods (FOUPs) and other non hermetically sealed transfer containers, such that the containers can be interfaced with a sealed chamber (e.g., a semiconductor processing tool) without detrimentally contaminating the environment of the sealed chamber with organics and other harmful contaminants. The methods and systems may be used to transfer objects, such as wafers, semiconductor components, and other materials requiring exposure to extremely clean environments, during electronic materials manufacturing and processing. Transfer containers specifically configured to promote purging of the container's enclosure are also described.

Abstract: A method for hydride gas purification uses materials having at least one lanthanide metal or lanthanide metal oxide. The method reduces contaminants to less than 100 parts per billion (ppb), preferably 10 ppb, more preferably 1 ppb. The material can also include transition metals and transition metal oxides, rare earth elements and other metal oxides. The invention also includes materials for use in the method of the invention.