Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are based on the idea of providing a device (2) for handling a hose (3) and a fuel dispensing unit (1) having such a device (2). This is basically achieved by an elastic element (13) that is adapted to extend within a frame element (8) and to be guided by a guiding element (9, 10), and by a hose guiding means (15) which is movable away from said frame element (8) allowing said hose (3) to be pulled from an idle position to an operating position when said elastic element (13) is extended.

Abstract: A bottle body comprises: a main body extending from a base to a shoulder; a neck extending from the shoulder to a mouth a thread along the neck; and one or more recesses along an exterior of the neck and extending along a longitudinal span of at least 30 mm.

Abstract: A system and method for mixing and dispensing two substances are provided. The system includes: a first substance a first container for containing a first substance, a second container for containing a second substance, a feeding tube, and a pumping system connected to the first container, the second container, and the feeding tube; wherein the system comprises at least three modes of operation: combining the first and second substances into one combined substance, mixing the combined substance, and dispensing the mixed substance; and wherein the pumping system is adapted to perform the at least three modes of operation and dispense the mixed substance to the feeding tube.

Abstract: A headrest in which a pad layer is integrally formed, including a portion with a narrow gap, between a mechanism having various types of incorporated functions and a skin member. A shock absorbing member that is an injection-passage-forming member having a foaming raw material injection passage formed so as to run substantially along a direction that is the vertical direction of the headrest in orientation of when a seat is attached, is set in the inside of a skin member, and a foaming raw material for forming the pad layer is injected through the foaming raw material injection passage. The configuration preferably causes the foaming raw material to spread by the foaming start time, as the foaming raw material spreads to the outer side of the headrest, that is, to the inner surface of the skin member, where the pad layer is required to be formed.

Abstract: Sensor packages and methods of assembling a sensor in a sensor package are provided. A preferred embodiment comprises: a base including a sensor coupled to the base wherein the base has at least one electrical connection location and a first mechanical mating interface in the shape of an arc; an electronics package with at least one electrical connection location; and a ring coupled between the base and the electronics package wherein the ring electrically connects the at least one electrical connection location on the base and the at least one electrical connection location on the electronics package and wherein the base has a second mechanical mating interface in the shape of an arc that is reciprocal to the first mating interface.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device, a microelectromechanical system, and a method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical device, wherein the microelectromechanical device may include: a substrate; a diaphragm mounted to the substrate; a first electrode mounted to the diaphragm; a second electrode mounted to the substrate; wherein the first electrode is laterally adjacent to the second electrode; and wherein the diaphragm is arranged over a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A device may comprise a substrate formed of a first semiconductor material and a trench formed in the substrate. A second semiconductor material may be formed in the trench. The second semiconductor material may have first and second portions that are isolated with respect to one another and that are isolated with respect to the first semiconductor material.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a substrate, a cap, a microelectromechanical component, and a tag. The substrate defines a port. The cap is coupled to the substrate. The substrate and the cap cooperatively define an interior cavity. The microelectromechanical component is disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the substrate such that the microelectromechanical component is positioned over the port to at least partially isolate the port from the interior cavity. The tag is coupled to the substrate and the cap. The tag is positioned to secure the cap to the substrate.

Abstract: A vacuum sealed MEMS and CMOS package and a process for making the same may include a capping wafer having a surface with a plurality of first cavities, a first device having a first surface with a second plurality of second cavities, a hermetic seal between the first surface of the first device and the surface of the capping wafer, and a second device having a first surface bonded to a second surface of the first device. The second device is a CMOS device with conductive through vias connecting the first device to a second surface of the second device, and conductive bumps on the second surface of the second device. Conductive bumps connect to the conductive through vias and wherein a plurality of conductive bumps connect to the second device. The hermetic seal forms a plurality of micro chambers between the capping wafer and the first device.

Abstract: Processes for integrating complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are provided. In some embodiments, the MEMS devices are formed on a sacrificial substrate or wafer, the sacrificial substrate or wafer is bonded to a CMOS die or wafer, and the sacrificial substrate or wafer is removed. In other embodiments, the MEMS devices are formed over a sacrificial region of a CMOS die or wafer and the sacrificial region is subsequently removed. Integrated circuit (ICs) resulting from the processes are also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for etching microstructures and the like that provides improved selectivity to surrounding materials when etching silicon using xenon difluoride (XeF2). Etch selectivity is greatly enhanced with the addition of hydrogen to the process chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to form syngas that includes contacting a feedstream that contains hydrogen and carbon dioxide with a catalyst at a temperature of about 650° C. in an Inconel alloy reactor to produce a syngas mixture that includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.

Abstract: In various embodiments set forth herein, methods of making boron nitride ceramic powder are provided.

Abstract: Graphene oxide is synthesized by chemical treatment of graphite using only H2SO4, KMnO4, H2O2 and/or H2O as reagents. Graphene oxide films obtained using the method disclosed herein were characterized using various analytical techniques. These analytical techniques confirmed the creation of single to few layer graphene oxide with relatively large lateral size distribution using the method disclosed herein.

Abstract: Method and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes is provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 50 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation method of graphene using graphene oxide. The method consists of the following steps. (1). Preparation of graphene oxide-dispersant solution; (2). Reduction of graphene oxide; (3). Obtaining graphene by suction filtration and drying process. Based on the preparation of anthracite, the invention could reduce production costs effectively comparing to traditional preparation methods of graphene, and make the reaction more fast and complete, facilitating the achievement of large scale industrial production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing graphene on a face-centered cubic metal catalyst having a plane oriented in one direction, and more particularly to a method of producing graphene on a metal catalyst having the (100) or (111) crystal structure and a method of producing graphene using a catalyst metal foil having a single orientation, obtained by electroplating a metal catalyst by a pulse wave current and annealing the metal catalyst. The invention also relates to a method of producing graphene using a metal catalyst, and more particularly to a method of producing graphene, comprising the steps of: alloying a metal catalyst with an alloying element; forming step structures on the metal catalyst substrate in an atmosphere of a gas having a molecular weight of carbon; and supplying hydrocarbon and hydrogen gases to the substrate. On unidirectionally oriented metal catalyst prepared according to the present invention, graphene can be grown uniformly and epitaxially.

Abstract: The present provides a carbon material containing 50 to 1,000 ppm by mass of vanadium (V), wherein a mean particle diameter D50 is 3 to 7 ?m; a tapping density after 400 times of tapping is 0.40 to 1.00 g/cm3; a BET specific surface area is 4.0 to 12.0 m2/g; an R value (ID/IG) measured in the spectrum observed by Raman spectroscopy is 0.10 to 0.30; and an interplanar spacing d002 of plane (002) (nm) and Lc002 (nm) as being the size in the c-axis direction of the graphite crystals satisfy the relationship represented by the following formulae (1) and (2) 0.3362?d002?0.3370 ??(1) ?23660×d002+8010?Lc002??23660×d002+8025 ??(2); which is suitable for a non-aqueous electrolytic secondary battery having a low resistance and a high coulomb efficiency; a method for producing the same; a carbon material for a battery electrode; an electrode; and a lithium-ion secondary battery using the above-described carbon material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a silica aerogel-including blanket including a substrate for a blanket; and a silica aerogel and an opacifying agent locating at least one of on a surface of and inside the substrate for a blanket, wherein the opacifying agent is a second particulate with inorganic particles of a first particulate being aggregated, and includes 1 to 5 of the inorganic particles per unit volume of 1 ?m3, and a method for preparing the same. The silica aerogel-including blanket according to the present disclosure is capable of exhibiting flame retardancy as well as an excellent insulation property, particularly, an excellent insulation property at high temperatures, by including an opacifying agent having excellent dispersibility and high surface activity through chemical etching.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing aerogels and composites thereof. In particular, the invention relates to methods of producing silica aerogels and composites thereof. The invention also relates to doped aerogels and doped silica aerogels. The method involves the use of alkaline solutions, and particularly aqueous alkaline solutions, during the aerogel drying process. The method is more energy efficient and cheaper than prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method of Beta molecular sieve, comprising: activating a mineral having low silica-to-alumina ratio and a mineral having high silica-to-alumina ratio, respectively, wherein the mineral having low silica-to-alumina ratio is activated via a sub-molten salt medium, and the mineral having high silica-to-alumina ratio is activated via means of high-temperature calcination; mixing the activated minerals with sodium chloride, potassium chloride, water and template agent for hydrothermal crystallization, wherein the charged amounts of the raw materials satisfies a molar ratio of: 0.03-0.18 Na2O:0.01-0.03 K2O:0.1-0.4 (TEA)2O:1 SiO2:0.01-0.5 Al2O3:12-40 H2O; cooling the crystallized product and removing the mother liquor by filtration, washing the resulting filter cake with water to neutral and drying it to obtain the Beta molecular sieve.

Abstract: An electro-thermochemical cycling system for producing ammonia is provided that includes a reaction chamber having a metal compound input port, an anode suitable for oxidation in contact with the metal compound and configured for oxidation of hydroxide ions to water and oxygen, a cathode suitable for plating in contact with the metal compound and configured to electrolyze the metal compound to metal, a voltage source connecting the cathode and anode, a nitrogen port to the reaction chamber that combines nitrogen with the electrolyzed metal on the cathode to form a metal-nitrogen compound proximal to the nitrogen input, an atomic hydrogen port to the reaction chamber that combines with the metal-nitrogen compound to form ammonia, and an ammonia output port from the reaction chamber, where a metal compound input port inputs the metal compound to the reaction chamber according to a depletion rate of the metal compound in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A process for producing one or more products from a lignocellulosic feedstock comprising treating the lignocellulosic feedstock to produce sugar in one or more stages comprising addition of acid, base or a combination thereof and introduction of heat. The addition of the acid, base, or a combination thereof produces a salt. The sugar is fermented to produce a fermentation product and the fermentation product is recovered. A stream comprising the salt is treated by wet oxidation with the introduction of heat. A stream comprising salt resulting from the wet oxidation is provided for use as a salt product or a process chemical for introduction within the process. Heat from the wet oxidation may be supplied to any stage of the process in which heat is introduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing an organic solvent dispersion of titanium oxide particles in an organic solvent except methanol and ethanol, comprising: (a) a surface treating process for surface treating an alcohol dispersion of titanium oxide particles in at least one alcohol solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol and ethanol with a surface treating agent comprising a silane coupling agent and 12-hydroxystearic acid thereby surface treating the titanium oxide particles; and (b) a solvent replacing process for replacing the alcohol solvent that is a dispersion medium of the alcohol dispersion of titanium oxide particles by the organic solvent except methanol and ethanol, wherein the silane coupling agent has the general formula (I) (RO)n—Si—X4-n??(I) wherein R is an alkyl group having carbon atoms of 1-4, n is 2 or 3, X is an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl, a vinyl or a (meth)acryloyloxyalkyl group.

Abstract: A simple to operate personal water purification device using membrane type filtration with almost constant pressure exerted to the membrane filter during the operation. The water inlet is connected to the high pressure chamber via a non-return valve. The water from the chamber is injected via the piston into the already pressurized circuit which maintenance filter working pressure. A pressurized circuit is formed in the concentrate cylinder and the filtration unit. The fluid circulation within the pressurized circuit is enabled via motion of a circulation piston. The permeate outlet produces potable water while the remaining concentrate is returned to the return chamber. The circulation piston and high pressure piston are connected via piston coupling and operated, preferably, by hand activating reciprocal motion of the piston rod. The membrane type filtration can be a ultra-filtration membrane, a nano-filtration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: A water purifier according to an aspect includes: a cooling water tank that keeps cooling water; a cold water pipe that is provided in the cooling water tank; an evaporator that is provided in the cooling water tank; a separator on which the evaporator is provided and that is provided over the cold water pipe to divide the internal space of the cooling water tank into a first space and a second space; a stirring member that is provided in the cooling water tank and stirs the cooling water; a stirring motor that has a rotary shaft to which the stirring member is coupled; a stirring motor cap that covers the side and the top edge of the stirring motor; and a stirring motor support to which the stirring motor cap is fastened and that is provided at the top of the cooling water tank to seal the top of the cooling water tank.

Abstract: In this present disclosure, a computing implemented method is designed for predicting the effluent total nitrogen concentration (TN) in an urban wastewater treatment process (WWTP). The technology of this present disclosure is part of advanced manufacturing technology and belongs to both the field of control engineer and environment engineer. To improve the predicting efficiency, a recurrent self-organizing RBF neural network (RSORBFNN) can adjust the structure and parameters simultaneously. This RSORBFNN is developed to implement this method, and then the proposed RSORBFNN-based method can predict the effluent TN with acceptable accuracy. Moreover, online information of effluent TN may be predicted by this computing implemented method to enhance the quality monitoring level to alleviate the current situation of wastewater and to strengthen the management of WWTP.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to remove purified vapor from a contaminated fluid is disclosed. This apparatus may be a modified heat exchanger. The apparatus comprises an inlet wherein contaminated fluid flows in the apparatus through the inlet; at least two outlets wherein a first outlet exits purified vapor and a second outlet wherein contaminated fluid with a portion removed as purified vapor exits the apparatus; an energy source that causes the contaminated fluid to heat to a temperature wherein at least a portion of the contaminated fluid is converted to purified vapor; at least two different flow paths from at least one inlet to the first outlet and second outlet, the first and second flow paths flow through at least a portion of the apparatus wherein differences causes the lighter purified vapor to take a different path than the heavier contaminated with the purified vapor exiting the first outlet and the contaminated fluid exiting the second outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments include a vacuum airlift system for treating an aqueous effluent including an upflow liquid column, where the upflow liquid column is configured to retain a fluid, a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being fluidly coupled with the upflow liquid column, where the fluid inlet is positioned at about the bottom of the upflow liquid column, a downflow liquid column, a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet being fluidly coupled with the downflow liquid column, wherein the fluid outlet is positioned at about the bottom of the downflow liquid column, and a plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors, the plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors being positioned in the upflow liquid column or the downflow liquid column.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conversion and condensation electro-magnetization system which comprises a water production and treatment system, a power source and a control system, wherein the water production and treatment system comprises an air purification and condensation water-production system, a primary filter and storage system, and a water quality optimization system, the output end of the air purification and condensation water-production system is connected with the input end of the primary filter and storage system, and the output end of the primary filter and storage system is connected with the input end of the water quality optimization system. The air conversion and condensation electro-magnetization system can be used for producing high-quality drinking water meeting the drinking standard at reasonable costs in places where energy and electricity are available, and overcome the drinking water difficulty for remote arid areas lacking water sources.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater or waste brines that include sodium and chloride ions. The waste brine is concentrated and thereafter directed to a Mirabilite crystallizer that produces hydrated sulfate salt crystals and a first solution. The hydrated crystals are melted to form an aqueous sulfate solution that is directed to a sodium sulfate crystallizer which produces sodium sulfate salt crystals. The first solution produced by the Mirabilite crystallizer is directed to a nanofiltration device which produces a permeate stream and a reject stream containing sulfate removed by the nanofiltration device. The permeate stream is directed to a sodium chloride crystallizer that produces sodium chloride salt crystals. The reject stream is recycled to the Mirabilite crystallizer.

Abstract: A method of first introducing a thermoresponsive polymer with an upper critical solubility temperature into an aqueous solution. The temperature of the thermoresponsive polymer can be equal to or greater than the upper critical solubility temperature of the thermoresponsive polymer. The method then separates contaminants within the aqueous solution with the thermoresponsive polymer to form aggregates.

Abstract: A floating dispenser for floatingly delivering a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water with the floating dispenser floating in an upright condition when a dispersant is present in a dispenser cartridge of the floating dispenser with the dispenser self inverting 180 degrees in response to consumption of the dispersant in the dispenser cartridge to thereby provide a visual alert that one should replace the dispenser cartridge in the dispenser with a fresh dispenser cartridge.

Abstract: A water treatment method according to the present invention is a water treatment method in which oil is membrane-separated from water to be treated containing the oil and ferrous ions, the water treatment method including an oxidation step of oxidizing the ferrous ions in the water to be treated, and a filtration step of membrane-filtering the water to be treated after the oxidation step. In the oxidation step, a pH of the water to be treated is adjusted to 6 to 9, and an oxidation-reduction potential of the water to be treated is adjusted to 450 to 750 mV.

Abstract: A water filtering system is provided for growing algae that filters the water. The system may include a container having a cylindrical inner surface and an opening at one end of the container. A clear central core including a cavity may be disposed inside the container and a light source may be disposed inside the cavity of the clear central core. A screen mesh may be disposed inside the container such that a surface of the screen mesh is parallel to the cylindrical inner surface of the container. The system may include an inlet configured to route water into the container and an outlet configured to route water from the container. A lid may cover the opening of the container.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for removal nitrogen, organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater using Feammox bacterium are provided.

Abstract: A process treats high temperature produced water by passing a stream to an electrocoagulation unit and then to a membrane distillation (MD) unit where the stream contacts a hydrophobic membrane on a feed side and deionized water contacts the membrane on a product side. A distilled water stream is recovered and collected with the product side stream to form a volume-depleted exit produced water stream on the feed side of the hydrophobic membrane. The exit product side stream is passed through a heat exchanger to form a stream that is returned to a location upstream of the MD unit for an additional pass through the MD unit, thereby recovering additional water. The stream can be returned multiple times to achieve high recovery and to form a final stream leaving the MD unit having a temperature from 40-60° C., a total oil and grease content no greater than 500 mg/L, and a suspended solids content no greater than 200 mg/L.

Abstract: Disclosed is a standby water source filter system comprising a filter device, a water pump, water softening equipment and a reverse osmosis (RO) device, wherein the filter device, the water softening equipment and the reverse osmosis (RO) device are sequentially connected in series, an inlet of the filter device is connected with a standby water source, and an outlet of the reverse osmosis (RO) device is connected with downstream water-production equipment. The standby water source filter system can remove impurities, bacteria and saline matter in water through filtering, softening and reverse osmosis (RO), raw material conditions required by the downstream water-production equipment are met, and the service life of the downstream water-production equipment is prolonged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a primary filter and storage system comprising a power source, a water pump, a filter device, an ultraviolet sterilization device, a water storage device and a control circuit, wherein an inlet of the filter device is connected with a water source, and an outlet of the filter device is connected with the ultraviolet sterilization device; an outlet of the ultraviolet sterilization device is connected with the water storage device. The primary filter and storage system can be used for primary optimization and storage of pure water obtained through air purification and condensation, and thus the pure water can be further optimized by the next-stage water purification system conveniently to reach the standard of the optimal drinking water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water quality optimization system comprising a water pump, a water purification device, a water storage device, a controller, a power source and a pH value regulation device, wherein an inlet and an outlet of the water pump are connected with a water source and the pH value regulation device correspondingly; the pH value regulation device is connected with the water storage device through the water purification device; the water storage device is connected with a system outlet and the inlet of the water pump through valves, and comprises a pH value detector with the signal output end connected with the controller; and the control ends of the valves and a water pump driving circuit are connected with the controller. The water quality optimization system can further optimize pure water obtained through air purification and condensation to make the pure water reach the standard of high-quality drinking water.

Abstract: An economical method for recovering phosphate or phosphate and nitrogen from liquid streams. A liquid containing phosphate is introduced into a culture of autotrophic microorganisms in the presence of natural or artificial light, thereby producing a liquid effluent with elevated pH and reduced alkalinity. The alkalinity is reduced through the consumption of bicarbonate/carbonate by the autotrophic microorganisms. The effluent is then chemically treated with low-cost chemicals to provide Ca++ or Mg++ ions necessary to form a phosphate precipitate such as calcium phosphate or magnesium-ammonium-phosphate (MAP). The autotrophic microorganisms can be cultivated in ponds, lagoons, or photobioreactors. The pH of the culture is adjustable within a preferred range of 7.5 to 10.5 by adjusting the photobioreactor operation.

Abstract: Feedstock supply structure apparatus, including an exhaust conduit fluidly and mechanically connectable to a structure defining a melting chamber, the exhaust conduit positioned at an angle to vertical ranging from 0 to about 90 degrees. The exhaust conduit may include a heat exchange substructure, or the conduit itself may serve as a heat exchanger. A feedstock supply structure fluidly connected to the exhaust conduit. Systems include a structure defining a melting chamber and an exhaust conduit fluidly connected to the structure. The exhaust conduit includes a heat exchange substructure for preheating the feedstock. Methods include supplying a granular or pellet-sized feedstock to the melter exhaust conduit, the exhaust conduit including the heat exchange substructure, and preheating the feedstock by indirect or direct contact with melter exhaust in the heat exchange substructure.

Abstract: A glass furnace includes a furnace chamber for containing glass melt and a conveyor for receiving glass batch material and feeding the glass batch material to the furnace chamber. A dam wall is disposed with respect to the conveyor such that batch material from the conveyor must flow upward over the dam wall before entering the furnace chamber. The top of the dam wall may be below the level of the melt pool in the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A glass furnace includes a furnace chamber including a side wall and a bottom wall and containing a pool of glass melt having a melt level. A batch feed hopper is adjacent to the side wall of the furnace chamber to supply batch material under gravity to a bottom of the hopper. A feed opening is in the side wall of the furnace chamber and feeds batch material from the bottom of the hopper to the pool of glass melt below the melt level. A conveyor is proximate the bottom wall of the hopper and feeds the batch material from the bottom of the hopper through the feed opening and into the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided for reshaping a glass body rotating about its longitudinal axis. The method includes using a means for establishing a temperature profile, a radial forming tool and an axial forming tool. In the method, a first temperature profile is established and the glass body is reshaped by engaging the radial forming tool. Then a second temperature profile is established and the glass body is reshaped by engaging the axial forming tool.

Abstract: A workpiece may be laser processed by a method that may include forming a contour line in the workpiece, and directing an infrared laser beam onto the workpiece along or near the contour line to separate the workpiece along the contour line. The contour line may include defects in the workpiece. The infrared laser beam may have a beam profile such that a greater distribution of cumulated energy from the infrared laser beam is located in areas adjacent to the contour line than directly on the contour line.

Abstract: Methods are provided for laser processing arbitrary shapes of molded 3D thin transparent brittle parts from substrates with particular interest in substrates formed from strengthened or non-strengthened Corning Gorilla® glass (all codes). The developed laser methods can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermal stressing the desired profile. Methods can be used to form 3D surfaces with small radii of curvature. The method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that may be optionally followed by a CO2 laser for fully automated separation.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a glass preform for optical fiber which suppresses occurrences of cracks, coloring and foaming in a surface layer when sintering a glass fine particle deposit to allow a production yield to be improved. A method for producing a glass preform for optical fiber comprising the steps of: spraying glass fine particles containing silicon dioxide and germanium dioxide to a starting material moving upward while rotating to produce a glass fine particle deposit; and sintering the glass fine particle deposit while relatively varying a positional relationship between a heating source and the glass fine particle deposit in a sintering apparatus to produce a transparent glass preform, wherein a germanium dioxide reducing gas is contained in an atmosphere gas in the sintering apparatus.

Abstract: A fining agent for reducing the concentration of seeds or bubbles in a silicate glass. The fining agent includes at least one inorganic compound, such as a hydrate or a hydroxide that acts as a source of water. In one embodiment, the fining agent further includes at least one multivalent metal oxide and, optionally, an oxidizer. A fusion formable and ion exchangeable silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 is also provided. Methods of reducing the seed concentration of a silicate glass, and a method of making a silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 are also described.