Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a layer-group determining unit configured to determine, from a printing layer that is a plurality of layers printed using a head that ejects ink, the printing layer including the layer formed by specific color ink and the layer formed by color ink, a layer group that is a plurality of the layers printed in one scanning by the head, a receiving unit configured to receive an input of printing conditions for each of the layer group included in the printing layer and other layers that are zero or more of the layers not included in the layer group, and a setting unit configured to perform setting for applying, to the layer group, a first input value of the printing condition input for the layer group and applying, to the other layers, a second input value of the printing condition input for the other layers.

Abstract: A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binder, which contains water glass and further a phosphate or a borate or both. The invention further relates to a method for constructing molds and cores layer by layer, the molds and cores comprising a construction material mixture, which at least comprises a refractory molding base material, and the binder. In order to produce the molds and cores layer by layer in 3-D printing, the refractory molding base material is applied layer by layer and is selectively printed with the binder layer by layer, and consequently a body corresponding to the molds or cores is constructed and the molds or cores are released after the unbonded construction material mixture has been removed.

Abstract: Additively manufactured ceramic filters are disclosed. A plurality of pores, each having a uniform geometry, are arranged between an inlet surface and an outlet surface of a single unit of ceramic such that the plurality of pores change in size uniformly from the inlet surface to the outlet surface. The pores are respectively interconnected, and the size, shape, orientation, and/or interconnection of the pores are chosen to provide hydrodynamic features that provide effective filtration for a given liquid and contamination. The pores are additively manufactured with optimized precision.

Abstract: Here disclosed is a composite catalyst for methane cracking and a method of producing the composite catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a member for a plasma processing apparatus consisting of a tungsten carbide phase. The member includes at least one type of atom selected from the group consisting of a Fe atom, a Co atom, and a Ni atom, in which the total content of the atoms is in a range of 30 to 3300 atomic ppm.

Abstract: A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

Abstract: A microwave furnace has a furnace chamber formed between a chamber housing and a sintering platform for an object to be sintered. A microwave source is arranged for emitting microwaves into the furnace chamber. The microwave furnace further has a susceptor that comprises a material which over a temperature range of the material of at least 23 C to 700 C couples into microwaves. The susceptor and the furnace chamber are movable relative to each other between a first position, in which the susceptor is positioned relative to the furnace chamber, and a second position in which the susceptor is positioned further retracted from the furnace chamber relative to the first position. The invention helps providing a zirconia material with a relative homogeneous material structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating a dielectric preform material. An exemplary method includes inserting the preform material into a microwave cavity along a longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity and supplying the microwave cavity with microwave power having a frequency that corresponds to an axial wavelength along the longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity. The axial wavelength is greater than a length of the preform material along the longitudinal axis. The method includes heating the preform material within the microwave cavity by the microwave power and determining temperatures of the preform material at one or more locations on a surface of the preform material. The method further includes adjusting, based on the temperatures of the preform material, the microwave frequency to achieve substantially uniform heating at least on a sidewall of the preform material along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An embodiment is a molding chamber. The molding chamber comprises a mold-conforming chase, a substrate-base chase, a first radiation permissive component, and a microwave generator coupled to a first waveguide. The mold-conforming chase is over the substrate-base chase, and the mold-conforming chase is moveable in relation to the substrate-base chase. The first radiation permissive component is in one of the mold-conforming chase or the substrate-base chase. The microwave generator and the first waveguide are together operable to direct microwave radiation through the first radiation permissive component.

Abstract: A method of making shaped ceramic abrasive particles includes cutting a layer of ceramic precursor material using a laser beam and forming shaped ceramic precursor particles. Further thermal processing provides shaped ceramic abrasive particles. Shaped ceramic abrasive particles producible by the methods and abrasive articles containing them are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a glass article. The method includes exposing a selected area of the glass article to a beam of electromagnetic radiation in order to diffuse first alkali metal ions in the selected area out of the glass article and to diffuse second alkali metal ions on a surface of the glass article and in the selected area into the glass article. The second alkali metal ions are larger than the first alkali metal ions. The beam of electromagnetic radiation heats first alkali metal ions and the second alkali metal ions to a temperature that is greater than that of a glass network of the glass article.

Abstract: A method, and the resulting structure, of making a CMOS device from carbon nanotube substrate, where a carbide contact is formed in a source drain region. The carbide is formed prior to the gate structure by reacting a glassy carbon and a metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental furnace wherein a firing chamber is heated up in a first heating-up period at a first heating-up rate of more than 50° K/min, in particular more than 100° K/min, which heats the furnace to at least 1000° C., in particular to 1100-1250° C. The first heating-up period is followed by an intermediate heating period, which is at least five minutes long, in particular at least ten minutes long, the gradient or heating-up rate of which is adapted to the material to be sintered in the dental furnace (10), and wherein this is followed by an end heating-up period (44) during which heating up is effected at a heating-up rate of more than 30° K/min, in particular approximately 50° K/min, and wherein during this the furnace temperature is held for at least five minutes, in particular for at least 25 minutes, above the temperature toward the end of the first heating-up period, and wherein forced cooling of the furnace (10) is performed after this.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to substrates for use in microwave plasma reactors. Certain substrates include a cylindrical disc of a carbide forming refractory metal having a flat growth surface on which CVD diamond is to be grown and a flat supporting surface opposed to said growth surface. The cylindrical disc may have a diameter of 80 mm or more. The growth surface may have a flatness variation no more than 100 mm The supporting surface may have a flatness variation no more than 100 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares having a high graphite content are disclosed. The methods include employing microwave drying to bring the dryness of the ceramic greenware to a first select dryness and then employing close-coupled hot-air drying to bring the dryness to the final target dryness. The judicious use of close-coupled hot-air drying reduces end defects due to unevenness in the microwave drying process while also substantially speeding up the drying process. Various configurations for and combinations of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air drying are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system for use in damage resistant, ceramic and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition is applied to the accessible surfaces of a presintered zirconia substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into and densifies the substrate by heating the assembly to at least the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combinatorial synthesis of Diamond wherein a first reactive species is produced by catalytic treatment of Acetylene, a second reactive species is produced by decomposition of a hydrocarbon source having a low Hydrogen-to-Carbon ratio using a high energy discharge, and the two reactive species so obtained are combined in the vapor phase to yield Diamond without the need of post-treatments. The reaction is efficient and affords Diamond under mild conditions with high purity such that it may be useful for producing Diamond for semiconductor and microelectronics applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods or manufacturing a metal wiring buried flexible substrate by using plasma and flexible substrates manufactured by the same. The method includes pre-treating a substrate by irradiating the plasma on the surface of the substrate (Step 1), forming a metal wiring on the pre-treated substrate in Step 1 (Step 2), forming a metal wiring buried polymer layer by coating a curable polymer on the substrate including the metal wiring formed thereon in Step 2 and curing (Step 3), and separating the polymer layer formed in Step 3 from the substrate in Step 1 (Step 4), The metal wiring may be inserted into the flexible substrate, and the resistance of the wiring may be decreased. The metal wiring may be clearly separated from the substrate, and impurities on the substrate surface may be clearly removed. The flexible substrate may be easily separated by applying only physical force.

Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fiber composite component, comprising the steps: introduction of a first body (12), consisting of fibers and a matrix material, into a mold (10), said first body (12) having a continuous first body edge (18); the first body (12) is irradiated with microwaves (28) to produce a fiber-composite component. According to the invention, the first body (12) is introduced into the mold (10) in such a way that at least parts of the first body edge (18) are brought into contact with the mold (10).

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of preparing a superhard material involves using mixtures of boron with carbon nitride of C3N4 stoichiometry as precursors. The C3N4 may be nanospherical. The result of chemical interaction of these components is the formation of new ternary compound B—C—N compound with a cubic structure. According to some embodiments, the composition is BCxN, where x is about 0.5. According to some embodiments, the composition is BCxN, where x is about 0.2. According to some embodiments, the compound has a unit cell parameter a=3.645±0.005 ?. According to some embodiments, the unit cell parameter a is about 3.655 ?. Synthesis is carried out under the conditions of thermodynamic stability of diamond at pressures higher that 6.0 GPa and temperatures above 1000° C. The starting components are taken according to the following ratio: boron—20-60 wt. %, C3N4—40-80 wt. %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polycrystalline ultra hard material cutting elements, and more particularly to a method of forming a polycrystalline ultra hard material cutting element with a thicker ultra hard layer than cutting elements formed by prior art methods. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method includes pre-sintering the ultra hard material powder to form an ultra hard material layer that is partially or fully densified prior to HPHT sintering, so that the ultra hard layer is pre-shrunk. This pre-sintering in an exemplary embodiment is achieved by means of a spark plasma process, or in another exemplary embodiment by a microwave sintering process.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of for synthesizing compression- and aggregation-resistant particles includes forming a graphene dispersion solution with micron-sized graphene-based material sheets, nebulizing the graphene dispersion solution to form aerosol droplets, passing the aerosol droplets through a horizontal tube furnace pre-heated at a predetermined temperature by a carrier gas, and drying the aerosol droplets to concentrate and compress the micron-sized graphene-based material sheets into crumpled particles of sub-micron scale.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit and method of making an insert is disclosed herein. An insert has a grip region, a cutting extension having a cutting surface, and at least one implant embedded in the cutting extension, wherein the cutting extension comprises a first carbide material and the implant comprises a second carbide material, and wherein the second carbide material has a hardness that is greater than the first carbide material.

Abstract: Provided are a process for economically preparing a graphene shell having a desired configuration which is applicable in various fields wherein in the process the thickness of the graphene she can be controlled, and a graphene shell prepared by the process.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a ceramic fired body includes forming a composition of ceramic raw material containing water to make a ceramic molded body. The ceramic molded body is irradiated with a microwave under a depressurized atmosphere of about 1 KPa or more and about 50 kPa or less to dry the ceramic molded body. The ceramic molded body is fired to make the ceramic fired body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for microwave drying of green cellular ceramic bodies (logs) using feedback and feed forward control are disclosed. The methods include measuring an amount of dissipated microwave power and measuring temperatures of the logs and inputting this information into a drying model. The drying model accounts for at least a heat capacitance, a water content and a mass of the logs, and relates changes in the dissipated microwave power to changes in the log temperature. The changes in microwave power generated by the adjustable microwave source are thus based on the calculated dissipated power changes.

Abstract: Described is a procedure for layered composition of models, whereby at least a first material is applied to an assembly platform, followed by selective application of a second material layer; these two application steps are repeated until the required model is achieved and both materials form a solid structure in an appropriate mixture ratio. The first material comprises a moulding sand; the first and/or second material comprises a bonding agent encompassing a salt-crystal binder and/or protein binder.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drying a honeycomb formed article 1. The method has the first step, where an unfired honeycomb formed article 1 having a plurality of cells separated by partition walls made from raw material composition containing a ceramic raw material, water, and a binder is heated and dried by microwave drying or dielectric drying, and a second step, where the honeycomb formed article 1 is dried by hot air drying, where hot air whose humidity was adjusted to have a wet-bulb temperature of 50 to 100° C. using a hot air drying apparatus 11 after the first step is passed through the cells. The method can dry a honeycomb formed article in a shorter period of time with inhibiting generation of a defect such as a deformation or breakage.

Abstract: The inventive method for forming articles from foaming polymers and compositions based thereon consists in forming articles using a heat energy released by water exposed to the action of microwave radiation al n temperature equal to or less than 170° C., wherein said temperature is attained, controlled and limited by adjusting a vapor pressure in a forming chamber. The inventive device for carrying out said method comprises a forming chamber, which is made of a microwave transparent material, filled with the mixture of prefoamed or granulated foaming polymer or a composition based thereon with water and is placed in a microwave radiation producing channel, and a unit for equalizing a pressure in said forming chamber. The forming chamber and the body thereof made of a microwave non-transparent material are provided with air holes, which are also used for connecting the forming chamber to the pressure equalizing unit.

Abstract: A tungsten carbide material for use in precision glass molding applications having 6.06-6.13 wt. % carbon, 0.20-0.55 wt. % grain growth inhibitor, less than 0.25 wt. % binder, less than 0.6% wt. % impurities, and balance being tungsten. The tungsten carbide material has a nominal grain size of less than 0.5 microns.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter includes cell walls and cells. The cell walls extend along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb filter to define the cells between the cell walls. The cells have first cells and second cells each having a substantially square shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first cells are sealed and the second cells are open at one end face of the honeycomb filter. The substantially square shape of the first cells includes a first side whose extended line intersects a second side except for corner portions of the substantially square shape of the second cells. The second side and the extended line of the first side are substantially perpendicular.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a porous metal-based biomaterial, the method includes dispersing microwave susceptors into organic solvent to form a homogeneous suspension, dispersing bioactive fillers into organic solvent to form a homogeneous solution, mixing metal powder with the homogeneous solution and the homogeneous suspension to form a mixture, cold-pressing the mixture into a compact with predefined shape and size, placing the compact in a sintering container, and emitting microwave to heat the compact and remove the organic solvent resided in the compact at the same time.

Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM) drying of a plugged ware is provided that includes subjecting the ware to an axially non-uniform EM radiation field that causes more EM radiation to be dissipated in either of the plugged regions than in the unplugged region. The EM radiation field is provided by a configurable applicator system that includes a feed waveguide and a conveyor path. The feed waveguide includes configurable slots. The configurable applicator system can be set to selectively vary the amount of EM radiation dissipated by each ware along the longitudinal axis of each ware as a function of ware position along the conveying path, thereby enhancing the EM drying process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure-sensitive supporting material, which can be (intrinsically) heated by an inner heat source, and to the use thereof. The heatable supporting material is characterized in that the supporting material comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer inside of which heat is generated. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive compound, which can be heated by electric current, induction, a chemical reaction or by a physical phase transition. The heatable supporting material has a high heating capacity and is suited for producing pressure-sensitive tapes for adhering heatable mirrors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining a structure made from a porous ceramic material comprising at least 95% of silicon carbide SiC, said process being characterized in that said structure is obtained from a mixture of SiC grains comprising at least: a first fraction of ?-SiC grains whose median diameter is less than 5 microns; a second fraction of ?-SiC grains whose median diameter is at least two times greater than that of the first fraction of ?-SiC grains and whose median diameter is greater than or equal to 5 microns; and a fraction of ?-SiC grains or of at least a precursor of ?-SiC grains. The invention also relates to the porous structure obtained according to the process.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drying a honeycomb formed article 1. The method has the first step, where an unfired honeycomb formed article 1 having a plurality of cells separated by partition walls made from raw material composition containing a ceramic raw material, water, and a binder is heated and dried by microwave drying or dielectric drying, and a second step, where the honeycomb formed article 1 is dried by hot air drying, where hot air whose humidity was adjusted to have a wet-bulb temperature of 50 to 100° C. using a hot air drying apparatus 11 after the first step is passed through the cells. The method can dry a honeycomb formed article in a shorter period of time with inhibiting generation of a defect such as a deformation or breakage.

Abstract: A method for drying a ceramic article comprises providing microwave radiation from a microwave generating source, providing a ceramic honeycomb structure having a middle portion and at least one end, and exposing the ceramic honeycomb structure to the microwave radiation while shielding the at least one end from directly receiving the microwave radiation, such that the radiation absorbed by the middle portion is equal to or greater than the radiation absorbed by the at least one end, and the proper drying of the entire honeycomb structure without heat-induced structural degradation is thus ensured.

Abstract: Diamond SPM and AFM probes which are durable, particularly for scanning hard surfaces such as diamond surfaces. Interlayers and seeding can be used to improve diamond deposition, and the diamond can be ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD). Tip sharpening improves resolution.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline sintered bodies, and a method of making same, said sintered bodies based on a 95 to 100% content of alpha-aluminum oxide by weight, a Vickers hardness greater than or equal to 17.5 GPa, and a crystal structure where the average primary crystal size of the alpha-aluminum oxide is less than or equal to 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for sintering a ceramic body, the arrangement including: an applicator defining a monomode microwave heating chamber; a thermal insulation structure disposed within the chamber; a susceptor disposed within the thermal insulation structure having a lower microwave coupling temperature than the ceramic body; the ceramic body arranged adjacent to the susceptor; a magnetron; and a temperature measurement device. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming an in-mold cured brake pad (16). A mold (24) includes sidewalls (28) through which a window (24) made from a generally lossless material such as alumina is formed. Microwaves (42) are directed through the window (46) and into the die cavity (26) of the mold (24) to provide supplemental heating and thereby accelerate the manufacturing cycle time. The friction material composition is tuned by adding an effective quantity of titania or other suitable agent which has the advantage of moving the absorption band for the heat-curable material into the standard band (50) of the microwaves (42) produced by a low-cost magnetron (40), and also of self-regulating the absorption characteristics of the heat-curable material so as to reduce or eliminate the tendency to thermal runaway.

Abstract: Firing of ceramic cores (1) is important in order to achieve manufacturing processes. These ceramic cores (1) are generally formed in a “green” state which has limited mechanical strength and may be distorted during the firing process by non-uniform thermal effects, etc. By providing a tube or containment 2 which is located on a saggar base 3 and surrounded by firing media 4, it is possible to achieve an initial pre-firing step whereby the “green” state core 1 is located through a stem 1a in an initial partial depth 5 of firing media 4 in the tube or containment 2 until it achieves a sufficient mechanical strength to enable positional adjustment. Thus, the green core will be pre-fired in a kiln solely supported through the stem 1a and then the core adjusted using a tool such as an engineering rule.

Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM) drying of a plugged ware is provided that includes subjecting the ware to an axially non-uniform EM radiation field that causes more EM radiation to be dissipated in either of the plugged regions than in the unplugged region. The EM radiation field is provided by a configurable applicator system that includes a feed waveguide and a conveyor path. The feed waveguide includes configurable slots. The configurable applicator system can be set to selectively vary the amount of EM radiation dissipated by each ware along the longitudinal axis of each ware as a function of ware position along the conveying path, thereby enhancing the EM drying process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moulding mixture for producing casting moulds for metalworking, a process for producing casting moulds, casting moulds obtained by the process and also their use. To produce the casting moulds, a refractory mould raw material and a binder based on water glass are used. A proportion of a particulate metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, titanium oxide and zinc oxide is added to the binder. Particular preference is given to using synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide as metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention provides a honeycomb formed structure drying method including causing undried honeycomb formed structures 10 placed on stands 12 to pass through a drying apparatus 1, thereby drying the undried honeycomb formed structures through high-frequency heating, to thereby form dried honeycomb formed structures 11; removing the dried honeycomb formed structures 11 from the stands 12; cooling the stands 12 which have been heated dried in the drying apparatus 1 are cooled to a temperature lower than the gelation temperature of the undried honeycomb formed structures 10; placing newly formed undried honeycomb formed structures 10 on the cooled stands 12; drying the undried honeycomb formed structures by passing through the drying apparatus 1; and repeating these operations. The honeycomb formed structure drying method prevents deformation such as warpage of partition walls of honeycomb formed structures during drying thereof.

Abstract: Process for heating a substrate, which contains, relative to the total weight of the substrate, 0.1 to 70 wt. % of metallic, magnetic, ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic or superparamagnetic particles having an average particle size of between 1 and 5000 nm, wherein the substrate is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation comprises microwave radiation with a frequency in the range from 1 to 300 GHz and the substrate is simultaneously exposed to a direct-current magnetic field, the field strength of which is at least twice the strength of the earth's magnetic field; use of the process for producing or detaching adhesive bonds; device for the simultaneous production of microwave radiation with a frequency within the range from 1 to 300 GHz and a direct-current magnetic field, the field strength of which is at least twice the strength of the earth's magnetic field.

Abstract: There are disclosed inventions relating to tubular hybrid metal/ceramic composites and the methods of making them wherein the ceramic chosen has a lower thermal expansion than that of the metal.