Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for manufacturing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The invention further relates to a plant for producing hydrogen peroxide in which the improved process for manufacturing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution according to the present invention is employed.

Abstract: Techniques for minimizing loss of volatile components during thermal processing of kesterite films are provided. In one aspect, a method for annealing a kesterite film is provided. The method includes: placing a cover over the kesterite film; and annealing the cover and the kesterite film such that, for an entire duration of the annealing, the cover is at a temperature T1 and the kesterite film is at a temperature T2, wherein the temperature T1 is greater than or equal to the temperature T2. Optionally, during a cool down segment of the annealing, conditions can be reversed to have the temperature T1 be less than the temperature T2. A solar cell and method for formation thereof using the present annealing techniques are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon nanotubes that are excellent in dispersibility and a process for producing the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes according to the present invention each comprise a wall that comprises a parallel portion and a narrowed portion having a tube outer diameter that is not more than 90% of a tube outer diameter of the parallel portion. Thus, the carbon nanotubes are readily dispersible owing to a high abundance ratio of easily-breaking portions.

Abstract: A yolk-shell-structured material (16, 59, 59a, 74) is disclosed as including a plurality of silicon nano-particles (12, 54, 54a, 62) and a cavity (16, 60, 80, 84) enclosed by a micron-sized shell (18, 72) made of carbon nano-particles (14, 56, 58). A method of forming a yolk-shell-structured material with silicon nano-particles (12) and a cavity (16) enclosed by a micron-sized shell (18) made of carbon nano-particles (14) is disclosed as including (a) providing a micron-sized cornstarch core (10), (b) forming a layer of nano silicon-particle (12) on the cornstarch core (10), (c) forming a micron-sized shell (18) of carbon nano-particles (14) on the layer of nano silicon-particle (12), and (d) removing the cornstarch core (10) by heating.

Abstract: Production of lime (calcium oxide: CaO) from limestone (CaCO3) is one of the oldest natural chemical processes and this process is reversible, per FIG. 4 (CaCO3?CaO+CO2 under 500 to 600° C. heat). Subsequently when lime is exposed to the moving air; carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air will react with the lime and lime will convert back to limestone. By repeating same limestone to lime chemical process, lime and carbon dioxide (CO2) will be created. After separating and storing the carbon dioxide (CO2), process will be repeated continuously, using the same lime.

Abstract: A porous and easy water soluble amorphous silica which does not contain tar, crystal, residual agrichemicals, and carcinogens, and method and apparatus to produce same, by using only one burning treatment from a plant including abundant silica, including a method of manufacturing the amorphous silica wherein rice family plants are burned while stirring and introducing into the furnace an atmospheric gas having a mass of 6.7× or more and 20× or less of the weight of the rice family plants, or oxygen gas having a weight of 1.4× or more and 4× or less with respect to the weight of the rice family plants, and at the same time as burning, combustion gas generated at the time of combustion is discharged.

Abstract: A silica particle has a compression and aggregation degree of from 60% to 95% and a particle compression ratio of from 0.20 to 0.40.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-77 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula HxMm2+EPxSiyOz where M is a framework metal alkaline earth or transition metal of valence +2, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The AlPO-77 compositions are characterized by a new unique ABC-6 net structure, and have catalytic properties suitable for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, as well as characteristics suitable for adsorption applications.

Abstract: A copper microparticle with antibacterial and/or biocidal activity, wherein each microparticle has a regular, crystalline and microstructured composition that comprises 5 different copper compounds: Antlerite Cu3+2 (SO4) (OH)4, Brochantite Cu4+2SO4 (OH)6, Chalcantite Cu+2SO4.5H2O, Natrochalcite NaCu2+2 (SO4)2OH.H2O and Hydrated copper sulfate hydroxide Cu3 (SO4)2 (OH)2.4H2O/2CuSO4.Cu (OH)2, with the microparticle having a size of between 5 and 50 ?m. A process for preparing copper microparticles with antibacterial and/or biocidal activity. A concentrated polymeric composition (masterbatch) with antibacterial and/or biocidal activity that is incorporated during the extrusion process to molten polymers for forming rigid or flexible products such as fibers, filaments, and sheets. A use of a copper microparticle with antibacterial and/or biocidal activity. A use of a concentrated polymeric composition (masterbatch) with antibacterial and/or biocidal activity.

Abstract: A water filtration system having an adapter portion defining a hollow interior adapter space; and having a first threaded portion and being configured to receive a water filter having a second threaded portion; at least a nut configured to secure the system to a container by being screwed onto the first threaded portion; at least one washer fitted onto the adapter portion and configured to prevent leaks from the container; the water filter having an exterior surface configured to absorb into a hollow interior filter space unfiltered water placed into the container by having a coconut carbon filter; the hollow interior filter space having filtration media configured to remove contaminants such that the unfiltered water becomes filtered water; the water filter further configured to allow the filtered water to drain out of the water filter by gravity, such that the filtered water exits the system and into a receiving container.

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 radial basis function (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 concentration with acceptable accuracy. Moreover, online information of effluent TN concentration 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: A hot water and distillation apparatus configured to simultaneously produce distilled water and hot water is disclosed. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a hot water tank, a condensation and evaporation chamber, an (feed water) evaporation tray provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber, a heat source thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus is configured to condensate evaporated feed water from the evaporation tray by means of heat exchange between the hot water tank and a condensation surface. The condensation surface is provided at the outside surface of the hot water tank. The heat source is thermally connected to the evaporation tray. The hot water and distillation apparatus comprises a distillate collection member configured to collect distillate. The hot water tank, the evaporation tray and the distillate collection member are provided in the condensation and evaporation chamber.

Abstract: Systems and processes for treating, reducing and/or disposing of leachate created by a landfill system by aerating, spraying and/or stripping leachate in a controlled environment to promote evaporation of a water component of the leachate, to strip a portion of ammonia from the leachate and/or to promote biological decomposition of the leachate. The reduced or concentrated leachate produced by the system or process, whether liquid, solid or slurry, can be disposed of as allowed or desired at a cost benefitted by the reduced volume and/or treated condition of the leachate.

Abstract: A fiber comprising a carbon chain backbone and amidoxime, carboxylate, and nitrile pendant groups. The fiber may be used for removing uranium from seawater and toxic metals from drinking water.

Abstract: A treatment device includes a base having a battery, a UV-LED for providing UV-C light during a UV sterilization process, LEDs for providing visible light during the UV sterilization process, and a controller for initiating the UV sterilization process, a translucent ring on the base for receiving the visible light from the LEDs and outputting it to the user, a first coupling structure on the base, a UV transmissive material above the UV-LED module, and a water storage removably coupled to the base having a sidewall structure for confining water, a second coupling structure below the sidewall structure for coupling with the first coupling structure to thereby create a water-tight seal between the water storage and the base, and a translucent material disposed upon the top opening of the water storage for receiving the visible light from the LEDs and outputting it to the user.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system (2) comprising a liquid enclosure (4) having a main axis A, at least one ultra-violet (UV) light source (6) with an extension along said main axis and configured to emit UV light to a liquid in the liquid enclosure (4). The liquid enclosure comprises at least one liquid section (8) with an extension along the main axis and structured to contain the liquid. The system (2) comprises swirl generating members (12) configured to generate a swirling motion of the liquid around a swirling axis S in the at least one liquid section (8) wherein the swirling axis is essentially parallel to the main axis, wherein the swirling motion is such that a controlled varying distance is induced to essentially all liquid elements of the liquid in relation to said light source (6) such that essentially all liquid elements are moved into high UV radiation zones closest said UV transparent wall (10), to achieve uniform UV radiation of the liquid.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of fluids has a flow-through housing, a cover, an inlet, a reactor chamber with inner walls, an outlet and UV LED radiation sources directed into the reactor chamber, and also a power supply. The device achieves a high purifying performance with less technical complexity and less installation space and needs only little electrical power. The interior of the reactor chamber has a flow-related design. The radiation sources are arranged in the fluid on or in an inner wall and a rotating fluid vortex is imparted to a fluid flowing through by the flow-related design. The radiation sources radiate radially from the outside inward and/or laterally onto the fluid vortex. At least a partial stream of the fluid in the fluid vortex passes a number of times by the radiation sources before leaving the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A hydrogen-enriched water generator and dispenser includes a main casing, a hydrogen water generator supported in the main casing, and a water tank. The hydrogen water generator includes a magnetic field generator and an electrode arrangement supported in the main casing. The water tank is adapted for storing a predetermined amount of regular water. The magnetic field generator is arranged to deliver electromagnetic wave having ultra-long wavelength to the regular water stored in the water tank upon electrolyzing and ionizing by the electrode arrangement, so that the regular water is electrolyzed and ionized to contain a predetermined amount of hydrogen ions for direct consumption.

Abstract: Described are improved electrodialysis (ED) desalination systems and methods comprising voltage regulation and/or improved stack geometries. The systems and methods provide product water concentrations suitable for drinking (having a total dissolved solids concentration of less than 500 mg/L or 500 ppm) and have a high product recovery ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water treatment. In one example, there is provided a method of treating an aqueous system to inhibit growth of one or more micro-organisms therein and/or to reduce the number of live micro-organisms therein. The method includes adding treatment agents to an aqueous system wherein said treatment agents include: (a) a phosphonium compound; and (b) a compound having formula: M(XO2)n wherein: M is a Group I or Group II metal; X is a halogen; and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A flocculation monitoring apparatus and a flocculation monitoring method are provided, and the flocculation monitoring apparatus and the flocculation monitoring method are capable of stably measuring a flocculation state of water to be treated even when the number (density) of flocs has increased. A measurement-light applying part (laser-light applying part 10) applies a measurement light to a measurement region (18) in the water to be treated (8) and a scattered-light receiving part (12) receives a scattered light due to particles of the water to be treated. A measurement value arithmetic part (arithmetic circuit 48) calculates an index related to flocculation of the water to be treated, by using an amplitude of a light reception signal acquired in the scattered-light receiving part.

Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for treatment of wastewaters in a membrane bioreactor comprising a mixture of inorganic coagulants and organic water soluble polymer(s), wherein the inorganic coagulants are selected from iron and/or aluminium containing compounds and the organic water soluble polymers are selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic polymers, polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds and any combination thereof. The present invention further relates to a method for treating of wastewaters in a membrane bioreactor, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

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: Disclosed are modular microbial fuel cell (MFC) devices, systems and methods for treating wastewater and generating electrical energy through a bioelectrochemical waste-to-energy conversion process. In some aspects, a modular MFC system includes a wastewater pretreatment system to receive and pre-treat raw wastewater for feeding pre-treated wastewater for bioelectrochemical processing; one or more modular MFC devices to bioelectrochemically process the pre-treated wastewater by concurrently generating electrical energy and digesting organic contaminants and particulates in the wastewater to yield treated, cleaner water; and a water collection module to receive the treated water from the one or more modular MFC devices and store the treated water and/or route the treated water from the system.

Abstract: A reactor for treating water, the reactor comprising a buoyant structure for supporting at least one cell for suspension in a body of water in use, wherein each cell is removeably attachable to the buoyant structure and is arranged to house biomedia. A water treatment system comprising the reactor in a body of water. A method of treating water comprising passing water to be treated through the reactor in a body of water.

Abstract: Method for treating iron-contaminated water using a treatment approach identified herein as the Activated Iron Solids (AIS) Process. The AIS process is capable of oxidizing and removing iron as iron oxides from iron-contaminated waters producing a clean effluent. The AIS process is performed in a single or multiple tank system in which high concentrations of AIS are suspended through mechanical mixing to maintain a catalytic surface chemistry environment that increases iron removal thousands times faster than would naturally occur and hundreds times faster than existing arts (e.g., aerobic pond passive treatment). The AIS process can utilize inexpensive alkaline material (such as, pulverized limestone) where initial mine drainage alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) to ferrous iron (mg/L) ratio is less than approximately 1.7.

Abstract: A method of operating osmotic membrane bioreactors (OMBRs) includes the steps of feeding the synthetic wastewater from wastewater tank to the reactor with the help of wastewater pump, and transferring of diluted draw solution through TuNFO membrane to the draw solution tank. The draw solution is diluted through passing of high flux water from the reactor into the membrane by means of osmotic force and vacuum force obtained by operating the vacuum pump at higher velocity than the force pump.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, and a controller. In addition, any given stage of reactor processing may be comprised of a plurality of reactors that are configured to operate in parallel with each other.

Abstract: Aspects of embodiments relate to a method for treating water received at a treatment system. The method may include reducing the hardness of the water by subjecting the water to electrolysis by an electrolytic hardness reducer; and substantially removing disinfectant from the water by irradiating the water with ultraviolet light by a UV disinfectant reducer. The method may further include sanitizing the electrolytic hardness reducer and/or sanitizing the UV disinfectant reducing apparatus by running hot water through either one or both of them.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for melting materials to make glass and other materials subject to electric melting that improve the capacity of the melters and/or the melt quality and/or the melting costs and/or the life of tank melters. These systems and methods use one or more of boosting with one or more streams of super hot melt coming from one or more boosting melters, cooling one or more components of one or more of the melters normally cooled using water with a high temperature cooling fluid or fluid suspension and protecting the normally high wear areas of refractory linings by covering those high wear areas with one or more strips of a corrosion and oxidation resistant metal or alloy useful above 2400 degrees F.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet is configured to form the glass sheet by fusing streams of molten glass together at a lower edge of a forming device while causing the streams of molten glass to flow downward along outer surface portions of the forming device by an overflow downdraw method, the forming device including protruding pieces, which extend downward below the lower edge of the forming device, and are arranged at least at widthwise end portions of the lower edge of the forming device, the protruding pieces each having a distal end formed by a straight line substantially parallel to the lower edge of the forming device.

Abstract: A method of continuously processing glass ribbon having a thickness ?0.3 mm. The method includes providing a glass processing apparatus having a first processing zone, a second processing zone and a third processing zone. The glass ribbon is continuously fed from the first processing zone, through the second processing zone to the third processing zone. The feed rate of the glass ribbon is controlled through each processing zone using a global control device. A first buffer zone is provided between the first processing zone and the second processing zone in which the glass substrate is supported in a first catenary between two, spaced-apart, payoff positions. A second buffer zone is provided between the second processing zone and the third processing zone in which the glass substrate is supported in a second catenary between two, spaced-apart, payoff positions.

Abstract: A system and process for making a thin, soot particle or glass sheet is provided. The system includes a soot deposition plate having a deposition surface and a glass soot generating device spaced from the deposition surface along a first axis. The glass soot generating device is configured to generate glass soot particles and to deliver the glass soot particles through an outlet and on to the deposition surface in a layer having a thickness of less than 5 mm. At least one of the soot deposition plate and the glass soot generating device is movable to cause relative movement between the deposition surface of the soot deposition plate and the glass soot generating device. A thin soot or sintered soot sheet is also provided. The soot sheet has a variable surface topography that varies along at least two axes.

Abstract: The invention provides a glazed composite manufactured using waste materials, wherein the waste materials are capable of producing ceramic forming oxides, glass modifying oxides and ceramic modifying oxides. The waste materials include ceramic waste and colored glass waste. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing composition of the glazed composite.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a soot deposition body, including a main burner that deposits glass microparticles on a target rod while moving parallel to a longitudinal direction of the target rod; and a side burner that is positioned outside of a movement range of the main burner in a movement direction of the main burner, and fires an end portion of the soot deposition body formed on the target rod. The side burner includes a plurality of heating burners arranged distanced from each other in a circumferential direction of the target rod. In the manufacturing apparatus described above, the main burner may include a plurality of deposition burners that are arranged distanced from each other in the circumferential direction of the target rod.

Abstract: A control device which is used in a manufacturing apparatus of an optical fiber, the manufacturing apparatus including: a drawing unit; a coating unit; and a curing unit which cures the coating layer. The control device includes: one or a plurality of direction changing devices which change a direction of the bare optical fiber at any position between the drawing unit and the coating unit; a position detection unit which detects a position of the bare optical fiber in the direction changing device; an outer diameter measurement unit which measures an outer diameter of the bare optical fiber; and a control unit which controls a flow rate of a fluid introduced into the direction changing device on the basis of the position of the bare optical fiber measured by the position detection unit and the outer diameter of the bare optical fiber measured by the outer diameter measurement unit.

Abstract: An aluminum-free borosilicate glass includes the following glass composition (in weight-% on oxide basis): 70-80 SiO2; 8-14 B2O3; 0 Al2O3; 0-4 Na2O; 3-10 K2O; 0 Li2O; 3-14 sum Na2O+K2O; 0-1 CaO; 0-1 MgO; 0-1 BaO; 0-1 SrO; 0-2 sum CaO+MgO+BaO+SrO; 0-1 ZnO; 3.6-14 ZrO2; 0-10 TiO2; and 0.01-2.0 one or more refining agents, the weight ratio of ZrO2:K2O being in a range of 1.2:1 to 1.4:1.

Abstract: An ion exchangeable glass having a high degree of resistance to damage caused by abrasion, scratching, indentation, and the like. The glass comprises alumina, B2O3, and alkali metal oxides, and contains boron cations having three-fold coordination. The glass, when ion exchanged, has a Vickers crack initiation threshold of at least 10 kilogram force (kgf).

Abstract: A composition for solar cell electrodes includes a conductive powder, a glass frit, and an organic vehicle. The glass frit contains about 20 mol % to about 40 mol % of an alkali metal, about 20 mol % to about 30 mol % of zinc (Zn), and about 7 mol % to about 20 mol % of magnesium (Mg) in terms of oxide content.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic composition is disclosed herein including: from about 60 mol. % to less than 72.0 mol. % SiO2; from about 10 mol. % to about 17 mol. % Al2O3; from about 3 mol. % to about 15 mol. % Na2O; from about 1 mol. % to about 8 mol. % Li2O; and from about 3 mol. % to about 7 mol. % TiO2. The glass-ceramic composition can be used to form one, two, or more, cladding layers of a laminated glass article, wherein the layer(s) of glass-ceramics material can be cerammed to form one or more glass layers.

Abstract: Superhydrophilic and antifogging non-porous TiO2 films for glass substrates and methods of providing the TiO2 films are provided. The TiO2 films may maintain a water contact angle less than 5° in the dark for five days after an annealing treatment, and the water contact angle of the TiO2 films may stabilize at less than 20° after ten days from the annealing treatment. The TiO2 films may have a thickness of about 20 nm and may be transparent. The methods may include depositing a TiO2 film on a glass substrate using e-beam evaporation. The methods may further include annealing the TiO2 film after depositing the TiO2 film on the glass substrate. The methods may not include UV radiation.

Abstract: A low-E coating has good color stability (a low ?E* value) upon heat treatment (HT). The provision of an as-deposited crystalline or substantially crystalline layer of or including zinc oxide, doped with at least one dopant (e.g., Sn), immediately under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of or including silver in a low-E coating has effect of significantly improving the coating's thermal stability (i.e., lowering the ?E* value). One or more such crystalline, or substantially crystalline, layers may be provided under one or more corresponding IR reflecting layers comprising silver.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%).

Abstract: Embodiments of a glass-based article including a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t) of about 3 millimeters or less (e.g., about 1 millimeter or less), and a stress profile, wherein all points of the stress profile between a thickness range from about 0·t up to 0.3·t and from greater than about 0.7·t up to t, comprise a tangent with a slope having an absolute value greater than about 0.1 MPa/micrometer, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the glass-based article includes a non-zero metal oxide concentration that varies along at least a portion of the thickness (e.g., 0·t to about 0.3·t) and a maximum central tension in the range from about 80 MPa to about 100 MPa. In some embodiments, the concentration of metal oxide or alkali metal oxide decreases from the first surface to a value at a point between the first surface and the second surface and increases from the value to the second surface. The concentration of the metal oxide may be about 0.

Abstract: Process for treatment by an ion beam of a glass material where: the acceleration voltage of the ions is between 5 kV and 1000 kV; the temperature of the glass material is less than or equal to the glass transition temperature; the dose of nitrogen (N) or oxygen (O) ions per unit of surface area is chosen within a range of between 1012 ions/cm2 and 1018 ions/cm2 so as to reduce the contact angle of a drop of water below 20°; a prior pretreatment is carried out with argon (Ar), krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe) ions in order to strengthen the durability of the superhydrophilic treatment. Superhydrophilic glass materials of long duration are thus advantageously obtained.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of Portland cement clinker is described in a dry process that captures the carbon dioxide emitted from the calcination of carbonate minerals, principally limestone. The process uses an indirectly heated, counter-flow reactor to pre-heat and calcine the cement meal to produce a separate calcined meal and carbon dioxide gas stream, with external heat being provided by the combustion of a secondary fuel stream with pre-heated air. This calcined meal is injected into the conventional rotary kiln, where the hot flue gas from combustion of the primary fuel with pre-heated air is used to fuse, react and sinter the powders to form granules of cement clinker. The clinker and carbon dioxide streams are cooled by the air pre-heaters.

Abstract: A method for producing a gypsum plasterboard comprising the steps of providing bundler dust obtained from gypsum plasterboard leftovers of a plasterboard trimming process by a trimming device, in particular by a bundler saw; and adding at least a part of the bundler dust to a gypsum slurry for producing the gypsum plasterboard.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, the nanoparticles comprising, on an oxide basis: (a) 85-100 wt % ZrO2+HfO2, (b) 0-15 wt % Y2O3, and (c) 0-2 wt % Al2O3, wherein the dispersion has a polydispersity index of 0.10-0.17. The invention also relates to a method of forming a ceramic article comprising the steps of: (a) pouring the aqueous dispersion into a mould, (b) drying the aqueous dispersion in the mould to form a green body, and (c) sintering the green body to form the ceramic article.