Abstract: A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measured from a moment the sensor detects the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second time needed to react to a signal and stop the pour. The 400-ms time interval approximates the time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus emits sequential pulses according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, wherein each pulse represents a quarter-ounce increment, the green pulse represents a standard pour, and the red pulse represents a full pour.

Abstract: A nozzle for a dispensing spout provides physically separate conduits, through which a liquid and air pass between a reservoir containing a liquid to be dispensed and a container into which the liquid is to be dispensed. The fluid and air conduits, as well as their respective opposing ends, are sized and shaped to provide an unobstructed air conduit which can carry ambient air into the reservoir at a rate that is at least equal to the rate at which liquid can flow out of the reservoir at a gravitational flow rate.

Abstract: An EWOD device includes a first and second substrate assemblies, and a spacer that spaces apart the first substrate assembly from the second substrate assembly to define a channel between them. The spacer defines fluid input ports that are in fluid communication with the channel, and the spacer is configured for directing fluid from the fluid input ports into the channel. The spacer has a combed spacer configuration to define the fluid input ports, including alternating teeth that extend into the channel from a base region, and the teeth isolate adjacent fluid input ports from each other. The spacer may contact only a portion of the first and second substrate assemblies to form a spacerless region within the EWOD device, and the spacer includes regions that are in contact with both the first and second substrate assemblies and extend into the channel to define a cell-gap of the channel.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a diaphragm with a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is exposed to an environmental pressure. The second surface comprises a plurality of fingers extending from the second surface. The MEMS also includes a backplate comprising a plurality of voids. Each of the plurality of fingers extends into a respective one of the plurality of voids. The MEMS further includes an insulator between a portion of the diaphragm and a portion of the backplate. The diaphragm is configured to move with respect to the backplate in response to changes in the environmental pressure.

Abstract: A method of forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower electrode on a first insulator layer within a cavity of the MEMS. The method further includes forming an upper electrode over another insulator material on top of the lower electrode which is at least partially in contact with the lower electrode. The forming of the lower electrode and the upper electrode includes adjusting a metal volume of the lower electrode and the upper electrode to modify beam bending.

Abstract: A one or multi-die module comprises multiple dies. The module includes at least one die with a sensor having a sensing region, an encapsulation layer covering top sides of the multiple dies, and a redistribution layer (RDL) covering bottom sides of the multiple dies except for the sensing region. In embodiments, a cap is formed over the sensing region, which has at least a portion that is spaced away from a bottom side of the module. Metal connectors, such as solder balls, are formed on the redistribution layer to provide connection points to the module. This approach can be used to incorporate environmental sensor dies into multi-die modules. It utilizes RDL and openings in the RDL in order to provide robust packaging for the dies, while also allowing the sensor dies to be selectively exposed to the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer program products for electronic systems with through-substrate interconnects and mems device. An interconnect formed in a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the interconnect includes: a bulk region; a via extending from the first surface to the second surface; an insulating structure extending through the first surface into the substrate and defining a closed loop around the via, wherein the insulating structure comprises a seam portion separated by at least one solid portion; and an insulating region extending from the insulating structure toward the second surface, the insulating region separating the via from the bulk region, wherein the insulating structure and insulating region collectively provide electrical isolation between the via and the bulk region.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical and/or nanoelectromechanical device comprising a support and at least one moveable element so as to be able to be displaced translationally with respect to the support, a means (G1) for translationally guiding said element, said guiding means (G1) comprising two rigid arms (6), a rotating articulation (12, 10) between each arm (6, 8) and the moveable element (4) and a rotating articulation (10, 14) between each arm (6, 8) and the support, the guiding means (G1) also comprising a coupling articulation (18) between the two arms having at least rotating articulation, said rotating articulations having axes of rotation at least parallel with each other such that during a translational displacement of the moveable element (4) the arms (6, 8) pivot with respect to each other in opposite directions, the rotating articulations being made by torsionally deformable beams.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor device and a corresponding manufacturing method. The micromechanical sensor device is equipped with a substrate which includes a diaphragm area, multiple sensor layer areas being formed on the diaphragm area, which have a particular structured sensor layer; and a particular electrode device, via which the sensor layer areas are electrically connectable outside of the diaphragm area, the sensor layer areas being structured in such a way that they have length and width dimensions of a magnitude between 1 and 10 micrometers.

Abstract: Methods for reducing wafer bow induced by an anti-reflective coating of a cap wafer are provided. The method may utilize a shadow mask having at least one opening therein that is positioned opposite recessed regions in a cap wafer. The method may further include depositing at least one layer of an anti-reflective coating material through the shadow mask onto a planar side of a cap wafer to provide a discontinuous coating on the planar side.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing soluble polyphosphides by conversion of red phosphorous using alkali metal compounds and organic solvents is presented. A reaction between an alkali metal alkoxy compound or alkali metal alkyl thiolate compound, such as potassium ethoxide, and shelf stable red phosphorus generated soluble polyphosphides in a variety of organic solvents with the 31P NMR spectrum being used to detect the species of polyphosphides produced.

Abstract: A system and method combine a first reactant with a second reactant to create a reaction product. A first pump is in fluid communication with a reaction vessel and a source of the first reactant. A second pump is in fluid communication with the reaction vessel and a source of the second reactant. A gas sparger is located in the reaction vessel, and the gas sparger is in fluid communication with a gas source for providing gas to the reaction vessel. A controller is configured to execute a program stored in the controller to: (i) receive a sensor signal based on a force exerted by the reaction vessel in a direction toward the sensor, and (ii) operate the first pump and the second pump to deliver to the reaction vessel the first reactant and the second reactant thereby causing a reaction that creates the reaction product.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a carbon composite comprises compressing a combination comprising carbon and a binder at a temperature of about 350° C. to about 1200° C. and a pressure of about 500 psi to about 30,000 psi to form the carbon composite; wherein the binder comprises a nonmetal, metal, alloy of the metal, or a combination thereof; wherein the nonmetal is selected from the group consisting of SiO2, Si, B, B2O3, and a combination thereof; and the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, titanium, nickel, tungsten, chromium, iron, manganese, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, tin, bismuth, antimony, lead, cadmium, selenium, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing device includes: a holder configured to hold a grown form of carbon nanotubes; a drawing unit configured to draw the carbon nanotubes from the grown form held by the holder; and a support unit configured to support the carbon nanotubes drawn by the drawing unit, the drawing unit including: a single drawing member configured to draw the carbon nanotubes; and a movable unit configured to move the drawing member, the drawing unit bringing the drawn carbon nanotubes to be supported by the support unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a zeolitic material having a CHA-type framework structure comprising YO2 and X2O3, wherein said process comprises the steps of: (1) providing a mixture comprising one or more sources for YO2, one or more sources for X2O3, one or more tetraalkylammonium cation R1R2R3R4N+-containing compounds, and one or more tetraalkylammonium cation R5R6R7R8N+-containing compounds as structure directing agent; (2) crystallizing the mixture obtained in step (1) for obtaining a zeolitic material having a CHA-type framework structure; wherein Y is a tetravalent element and X is a trivalent element, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 independently from one another stand for alkyl, and wherein R8 stands for cycloalkyl, as well as to zeolitic materials which may be obtained according to the inventive process and to their use.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a plant for producing urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). The method involves the use of a condensation section, optionally in combination with a medium pressure decomposition section, between the dissociation and neutralization sections. The invention further provides a method of modifying an existing UAN plant. The advantages of the process of the invention are that the emission of CO2 can be reduced, the plant capacity can be increased and the high capital expenditure needed for CO2 compression equipment is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods, systems And apparatus tor generating lithium from brine. The brine is heated in a first vessel to greater than 260° C. and CO2 gas is injected mixing with the brine such that the CO2/P is greater than 18 g/atm. The brine is held at greater than 18 g/atm for longer than 20 minutes so that any impurities precipitate as solids leaving only lithium ions and chlorine ions. The brine is moved to a second vessel screening out solid precipitates leaving a brine containing only chlorine and lithium. CO2 gas is injected and mixed with the brine at 260° C. so that the CO2/P is greater than 200 g/atm. The brine is held at greater than 200 g/atm for longer than 20 minutes suppressing the chlorine as dissolved ions while lithium precipitates out as lithium carbonate. The lithium carbonate precipitate is removed from the brine solution.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing high-purity aluminum hydroxide and alumina material is disclosed, which includes the steps of: reacting aluminum metal with a mixture of organic base and water to form aluminum hydroxide suspension; removing water by filtration to form aluminum hydroxide slurry, and for manufacturing alumina material, further drying/baking the slurry to form aluminum oxide powders. The method is amenable to mass production of high-purity aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide containing total silica and non-aluminum metal impurities less than 0.005% and having a bulk density higher than 3.0 g/cc. In addition, the invention also provides high-purity aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide prepared by using the method disclosed and bulk products prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A method for producing a barium titanate-based powder that includes mixing a titanium compound and a barium compound together with water and chlorine to prepare a slurry, and temporarily firing the mixture of the titanium compound and the barium compound which is contained in the slurry to provide a barium titanate-based powder. The chlorine in the slurry is in the form of chlorine ions in a ratio of 230 to 1100 wt ppm based on the amount of the barium titanate-based powder to be synthesized.

Abstract: High-quality non-stoichiometric NiOx nanoparticles are synthesized by a facile chemical precipitation method. The NiOx film can function as an effective p-type semiconductor or hole transport layer (HTL) without any post-treatments, while offering wide temperature applicability from room-temperature to 150° C. For demonstrating the potential applications, high efficiency is achieved in organic solar cells using NiOx HTL. Better performance in NiOx based organic light emitting diodes is obtained as compared to devices using PEDOT:PSS. The solution-processed NiOx semiconductors at room temperature can favor a wide-range of applications of large-area and flexible optoelectronics.

Abstract: A method of remotely monitoring a group of circulating-water utilization systems comprising a plurality of circulating-water utilization systems 1, includes: an operational-ratio detection step of detecting operational ratios of treatment vessels forming a treatment-vessel row of a purifying unit 8, for each of the plurality of circulating-water utilization systems constituting the group of circulating-water utilization systems; a data transmission step of transmitting data related to the operational ratios of the treatment vessels detected in the operational-ratio detection step via a transmission line 60; a data reception step of receiving the data related to the operational ratios of the treatment vessels transmitted in the data transmission step; and a data display step of displaying the data related to the operational ratios of the treatment vessels received in the data reception step.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combined controlling chlorinators and pumps for pools and spas are provided. Exemplary embodiments can include a pump operable to circulate a fluid for a specified time period according to a pump operation time setting and a chlorinator operatively coupled to the pump. The chlorinator can be configured to generate chlorine based on a chlorine output setting, a chlorine generation capacity of the chlorinator, and the pump operation time. A controller can be operatively coupled to the chlorinator and the pump and can be programmed to control the chlorinator and the pump based on a relationship between the chlorine output setting, a chlorine generation capacity of the chlorinator, and the pump operation time.

Abstract: A device for desalinating seawater comprises at least three plates (20, 21, 22), at least two evaporation chambers, each of them delimited by two consecutive plates, and entrance means (24) to feed the evaporation chambers with seawater to be desalinated, said entrance means being suitable to feed all the evaporation chambers with seawater from a common source, so that at least one plate is suitable to operate as a condensation surface in one chamber and as an evaporation surface in the next chamber. The device may be arranged in any coastal system that requires a heat flux of low thermal intensity between a hot source (60) and a cold sink (70). The device guarantees said heat flux by means of vapour generation, transportation and condensation, whereby condensed water is collected as a valuable by-product. A method of desalinating seawater comprises the steps of deaerating the seawater to be desalinated and feeding all the evaporation chambers with said deaerated seawater.

Abstract: A structure for efficient water desalination, where as the evaporation chamber is at low pressure, and the condensation chamber is at high pressure. The evaporation chamber is connected to the condensation via a pump to pump the water vapor from evaporation chamber to condensation chamber.

Abstract: A filter device and method for making the device is disclosed. The filter device can include a chemical filtration disk in which QDs (QD) are deposited. In one example, cadmium sulfide (CdS) is combined with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) to form a CdS-TOPO QDs sorbent that is arranged on an ODS disk. The method of fabricating the device is presented, as well as its many benefits.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic elements configured to remove solids (e.g., particles) and charged particles (e.g., dissolved salts). For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid ceramic element comprising (a) an elongate ceramic membrane filter having a first filter end, a second filter end, at least one filter side, and at least one interior channel spanning the length of the filter, (b) a first ion removal unit comprising a first substrate having a first net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, and (c) a second ion removal unit comprising a second substrate having a second net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, wherein the first and second polarity are opposite of each other.

Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: A static devolatilization apparatus (1) for germ reduction of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a housing (10), an inlet (12), an outlet (14), a fluid-contacting surface (20) comprising a biocide (22) embodied to reduce the germ count of the fluid (2), wherein the fluid-contacting surface (20) is a fluid-contacting surface (20) of a static mixing element (30). The present invention further relates to a process for reducing the germ count of a fluid containing germs (2?) using the apparatus (1) and also to the use of the apparatus (1) in the germ reduction of fuel oil, of food products, or water decontamination, preferably decontamination of waste water, industrial process water, or the treatment of drinking water.

Abstract: An activating agent for the treatment of radioactive wastewater. The activating agent is prepared by dissolving a mixture of inorganic salts including Ca2+, Na+, Sr2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Fe2+ and K+ in pure water having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M?·cm to yield a solution. A method of radioactive wastewater treatment using the activating agent includes: 1) preparing the activating agent; 2) adding the activating agent to radioactive wastewater having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M?·cm; uniformly mixing the activating agent and the radioactive wastewater; 3) further treating the radioactive wastewater including the activating agent using an electro-deionization device; and 4) collecting two liquid flows obtained in 3), one being purified water, the other being concentrated water returning to 2) for further purification.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve includes a valve body, a valve assembly disposed to seal the valve cavity and including a diaphragm and a valve seat retained with a seat carrier, a threaded member assembled with the valve body, and a valve actuator assembled with the valve body and operable to move a surface of the diaphragm into and out of contact with the valve seat. The valve body includes a valve cavity, a first port and a second port, with the first port and the second port being open to the valve cavity. The threaded member includes an annular bead that directly contacts the diaphragm to apply a compressive load to the diaphragm against a first side of the seat carrier. The valve actuator is separate from the threaded member, and is removable from the valve body without removing the threaded member from the valve body.

Abstract: A method for treating sulfide in an aqueous fluid comprises contacting the fluid with an oxidizer in the presence of a sulfur dye or sulfurized vat dye. In one embodiment, the method comprises treating sulfide contaminated water by contacting the contaminated water with air in the presence of a sulfur dye or a sulfurized vat dye. The method is useful for remediating industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste water.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating ammoniacal nitrogen in wastewater performed via biologically oxidizing ammoniacal nitrogen, and producing nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen at a desired rate. In the method, ammoniacal nitrogen is oxidized by bacterial sludges to produce at least either of nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Specifically, the method includes an inactivating treatment step of treating the bacterial sludges with an inactivating operation via sterilizing bacteria or causing bacteriostasis, and a nitrifying treatment step of oxidizing the ammoniacal nitrogen by the bacterial sludges thus treated in the inactivating operation. Production amounts of the nitrite nitrogen and the nitrate nitrogen are controlled by adjusting biomass of the bacterial sludges to be treated in the inactivating operation, and/or a time interval between the inactivating operations each repeatedly performed in combination with the nitrifying treatment step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a resource-recycling type method and apparatus for treating industrial wastewater using an oxidizing agent produced from wastewater, wherein, in the treatment of industrial wastewater containing nitrogen compounds and refractory COD-causing pollutants, an oxidizing agent is autonomously produced using ammonia gas stripped from wastewater and is then added back to the wastewater, thus economically treating the wastewater without the need to purchase an expensive oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A pH treatment and method for extraction of leachable resources and pollutants from sludge. A volume of wastewater sludge is initially dewatered followed by adding pH adjusting agents to the dewatered sludge to remove acid/base-soluble contaminants. The acid/base-soluble contaminants are flushed out or dewatered from the treated product. Treated sludge can then be sent to storage and held for beneficial uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising a poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer, in particular a copolymer of ethylene oxide and one or more silane- or siloxane-functionalized glycidyl ether monomer. Said poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers are useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries. The invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: An optical element manufacturing apparatus includes plural pairs of stage units that are each arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich a mold set that houses a molding material, each of the plural pairs of stage units performing at least one of heating, pressurization, and cooling on the mold set, wherein each of the stage units includes a temperature control block for which temperature is controlled, and in a third direction orthogonal to a first direction and a second direction, the temperature control block includes heating regions that are positioned on sides of both ends and in which heating sources are arranged, and a non-heating region that is positioned on a central side and in which the heating sources are not arranged throughout the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the plural pairs of stage units are arranged, and the second direction being a direction in which a pair of stage units are opposite to each other.

Abstract: A device for the shaping of glass bodies, in particular of pharmaceutical vials, comprises a clamping chuck for holding a glass body, a rotary drive for driving the clamping chuck rotatingly, further at least one heat source for heating a glass body held within the clamping chuck, and further a controller which is coupled to the rotary drive so that the clamping chuck can be driven at variable rotational speed.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow cylinder, in a single step, into a quartz glass tube with a large outer diameter and high dimensional stability is provided. To produce the tube, the cylinder, while rotating, is softened in portions in a heating zone which is moved at a relative feed rate Va and the softened portion is radially expanded by a centrifugal force and/or internal overpressure applied in the hollow cylinder bore so as to form a deformation zone. The radial expansion of the softened portion is carried out at a location-dependent radial expansion rate Vr, the profile of which along the deformation zone has a maximum value Vr,max which is smaller than 20 cm/min. The temperature in a rear heating portion of the heating zone, assigned to the end of the deformation zone, is lower than in a front heating portion assigned to the beginning of the deformation zone.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical packaging is provided including a glass, comprising at least the following components (given in mol % on oxide basis): SiO2: 5 9-84, Al2O3: 7-18.5, CaO: 1-25, SrO: 0-6.5, BaO: 0-5, ZrO2: 0-3, TiO2: 0-5, B2O3: 0-1, wherein the ratio (CaO+SrO+BaO)/Al2O3<2.8, wherein the ratio (CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2?0.39, wherein the hydrolytic resistance according to DIN ISO 720 is class HGA 1, and wherein the glass, apart from unavoidable contaminations, is free of alkali oxides and magnesium oxides.

Abstract: Alkali aluminosilicate glasses that exhibit fast ion exchange performance and having low softening points that enable the glasses to be formed into non-planar, three-dimensional shapes. The glasses contain less than about 1 mol % of boron oxide and, in some embodiments, are substantially free of B2O3. Furthermore, these glasses have excess amounts of alkali oxides relative to both Al2O3 and P2O5, in order to improve melting behavior and ion exchange performance while still achieving sufficiently low softening points to allow for formability.

Abstract: A composition for solar cell electrodes including a conductive powder, a glass frit, and an organic vehicle. The glass frit contains tellurium (Te), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), and at least one of lead (Pb) and bismuth (Bi). A molar ratio of the sum of lead and bismuth to zinc ranges from about 1 to about 20. A molar ratio of tellurium to sodium ranges from about 1 to about 15.

Abstract: A pillar-nanoantenna array structure is fabricated with a substrate to which pairs of pillars are coupled, where the pillars are characterized either by a thermal conductance less than 0.1 ?W/deg or by transparency and a height exceeding thickness by at least a factor of two. Metallic caps atop a neighboring pair of pillars are separated by no more than 50 nm. An image-capture structure may be formed by modifying reflectance of a portion of the structure by heating of the portion by electromagnetic radiation. The array may be plastically deformed by raster scanning an electron beam across the array, exciting plasmon modes in the conducting particles thereby inducing a gradient force between neighboring conducting particles, and deforming neighboring pillars in such a manner as to vary the spacing separating neighboring conducting particles. A technique of plasmon-assisted etching provides for fabricating specified planar pattern of metal outside a cleanroom environment.

Abstract: A solid component activator for use in a geopolymer cement containing a silico-aluminate material comprising a mixture of sodium silicate and sodium carbonate for activating the geopolymer cement by increasing reactivity of the silico-aluminate material in the geopolymer cement when forming geopolymer concrete.

Abstract: Bismuth oxyhalide-added building materials are disclosed. The building material is a binder-containing building material, which sets and harden when mixed with water, such as gypsum and cement-based building material. Methods for applying bismuth oxyhalide—comprising coatings onto surfaces of building materials, to protect them against pollutants, are described.

Abstract: “GEOPOLYMER CEMENT MADE FROM RECYCLED GLASS AND ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS”, the present invention relates to a geopolymer cement from recycled glass and its manufacturing process that, according to its characteristics, can produce geopolymer cement in its own and specific binding structure of a rigid solid type, made from recycled glass (waste), alkalis and water, and obtained directly by milling, homogenization, alkalinization and curing at room temperature, or forced curing of its components, and it can be used, in an extremely convenient, safe and cost-effective manner, as a new geopolymer matrix to replace the traditional ones made from metakaolin, blast furnace slag, fly ash or volcanic rock in various applications—to manufacture cement slabs, concrete, fiber composites and materials for coatings, aligned with an eco-friendly concept for complete reuse of this waste which is disposed in the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compressible grout mix for filling an annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a tunnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation and a method of filling the annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a tunnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation utilizing the compressible grout mix for resilient absorption of forces in the hardened state of the compressible grout mix exerted by the time dependent deformation of the rock wall surface into the tunnel opening. The method includes: a. providing the compressible grout mix comprising hydraulic binding agent, bentonite clay, polymer foam particles, water-reducing admixture, water and air, b. placing the compressible grout mix in the annular gap between the tunnel wall rock surface and the tunnel liner, and c.

Abstract: A limestone based masonry veneer composition is described that may be molded, blown, sprayed, troweled, or otherwise applied to interior and exterior surfaces. The composition provides an aesthetic resurfacing, cladding and/or overlay coating. The composition is capable of being pigmented, textured, sculpted—or otherwise formed into an aesthetic, realistic, architecture, suitable as a stone veneer, an example of which is Blown Stone®, by Stone Coat®. Texturing or sculpting may occur about 1 hour and up to about 12 hours after applying the composition. The final composition is hydrophobic and breathes. Air carbonation allows the formation of a predominantly very pure calcium carbonate or limestone when fully cured, which prevents mold and algae growth and allows for autogenous healing with an increase in unit weight over time, ensuring an overall high compressive strength that endures over time.

Abstract: A method for producing a transparent alumina sintered body includes (a) the step of preparing an alumina raw material powder containing a plate-like alumina powder having an aspect ratio of 3 or more so that the mass ratio R1 of F to Al in the alumina raw material powder is 5 ppm or more, and forming a compaction raw material containing the alumina raw material powder into a compact, and (b) the step of pressure-sintering the compact at a temperature at which F evaporate to yield a transparent alumina sintered body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a porous pre-densified CeO2 stabilized ZrO2 ceramic having a density of 50.0 to 95.0%, relative to the theoretical density of zirconia, and an open porosity of 5 to 50% as well as to ceramic having a density of 97.0 to 100.0%, relative to the theoretical density of zirconia, and wherein the grains of the ceramic have an average grain size of 50 to 1000 nm, methods for the preparation of the pre-densified and densified ceramics and their use for the manufacture of dental restorations.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of tungsten bronze crystal structures that can have both a high dielectric constant and low temperature coefficient, making them advantageous for applications that experience temperature changes and gradients. In particular, tantalum can be substituted into the crystal structure to improve properties. Embodiments of the material can be useful for radiofrequency applications such as resonators and antennas.