Abstract: The production of open-celled porous inorganic sintered products comprises the stepsa) introducing a flowable mixture comprising an aqueous polymer dispersion, sinterable inorganic powder and dispersant into a precipitation bath in which the polymer precipitates or coagulates to form a non-flowable product comprising polymer, inorganic powder and dispersant,b) removing the product from the precipitation bath and drying the product,c) heating the product to remove polymer and dispersant and sintering the product.The porous open-celled sintered products comprising sintered inorganic powder have a pore volume of from 50 to 95%, a surface area of from 0.1 to 50 m.sup.2 /g and an at least bimodal pore size distribution having maxima in the ranges from 0.02 to 5 .mu.m and from 20 to 500 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a ceramic foam made by mixing a liquid pre-ceramic resin and a liquid phenolic resin, allowing the resultant mixture to chemically foam, curing the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to convert the mixture to a polymeric foam, and then heating the resultant polymeric foam for a time and at a temperature sufficient to break-down polymers of the polymeric foam and convert the polymeric foam to a ceramic foam. The ceramic foam of the present invention contains residual decomposed components of the liquid phenolic resin and/or liquid pre-ceramic resin.

Abstract: Solid, homogenous or porous, shaped bodies are formed from different powders such as metals and ceramics by preparation of an aqueous slurry of the powder, which slurry comprises a protein substance which is soluble in water at ambient temperatures and capable of forming an irreversible gel on heating to a temperature not exceeding 90.degree. C. The protein substance, for example albumin, is used in an amount sufficient for the formation of a gel. The slurry is formed into a body of the desired shape by methods such as molding, tapecasting or dropforming and heating to a temperature at least corresponding to the gelling temperature of the protein.

Abstract: A carbon-graphite/silicon carbide composite article is provided. The composite article includes a carbon-graphite body intimately bonded to a dense silicon carbide body by a transition/bonding region which links the two bodies. The transition/bonding region between the carbon-graphite body and the silicon carbide body typically includes a layer rich in silicon metal and a small silicon carbide/silicon metal/carbon graphite area where some of the carbon-graphite from the carbon-graphite body has been converted to silicon carbide. The carbon-graphite body may also include a variety of impregnants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making insoluble gas-filled, pressure-resistant microspheres containing a liquid or solid hydrophobic barrier within the microsphere shell, and products of this process. This barrier serves to decrease the rate of gas exchange between the microsphere and the aqueous environment surrounding the microsphere and thus enhances resistance to pressure due to gas exchange.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers, glass microballoons and/or diatoms, bound together with a ceramic reinforcing cloth with a sol-gel ceramic binder. The composite is particularly useful as a high strength, high temperature insulation material.

Abstract: A production method of a honeycomb structure is provided. The production method of a thin wall cordierite honeycomb structure having cordierite as the main component of the crystalline phase includes: adding a forming auxiliary agent to a cordierite material to obtain a mixture, kneading the mixture to obtain a material batch, forming the material batch by extrusion to form a honycomb compact, drying the honeycomb compact to obtain a dried body, and firing the dried body. The cordierite material batch contains 65% by weight or more flat plate-like cordierite raw material including crystal water made from talc, kaolin and aluminum hydroxide with the BET specific surface areas for the cordierite raw materials being 7 to 18 m.sup.2 /g of talc, 14 to 22 m.sup.2 /g of kaolin and 6 to 18 m.sup.2 /g of aluminum hydroxide.

Abstract: Multiple micro-encapsulations of a high concentration oleophilic substance using heat to set the primary particle renders the composition suitable for the production of free-flowing powders or beadlets. Microencapsulation involves forming an emulsion out of the oleophilic substance and a polymer, and then use heat setting and/or cross-linking the polymer encapsulates the oleophilic composition. This process is then repeated with a second polymer or third polymer, and with or without cross-linked via the same or different mechanism to further protect the oleophilic substance.

Abstract: A neutral pH foamed glass article is produced from a mixture of pulverized glass particles, foaming agent, binder, and water, wherein the glass article is heated to remove excess moisture and organic materals, then further heated to cause the foaming agent to emit a foaming gas, thereby causing foaming of the glass article. The foamed glass article is annealed in a controlled cooling fashion to avoid thermal stress, cracking and devitrification. The foamed glass articles may be used as artificial pumice stones in the stone-washed garment industry. Preferably, the mixture contains an amount of lignosulfonate to produce foamed glass having substantially neutral pH values in a range of from about 7.0 to 8.4.

Abstract: Process for making graded porosity ceramics. A process for making graded porosity ceramics is described which includes the steps of placing a chosen amount of ceramic powder into a mold, compacting the ceramic powder into a green body, applying at least one sintering aid precursor to at least one chosen surface of the green body, allowing the at least one sintering aid precursor to penetrate the at least one surface within a chosen volume of the green body, heating the green body, whereby the sintering precursor generates a sintering aid, and hot pressing and sintering the heated body at a temperature whereby the green body is transformed into the sintered ceramic object.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic filter media for water filters involves the steps of mixing a plurality of raw ceramic materials and a plurality of extrusion-aid materials to form a mixture of constituent materials, extruding the constituent materials to form tubular filter media, drying the tubular filter media, and firing the tubular filter media to create ceramic tubular filter media. The step of drying the tubular filter media preferably comprises placing the tubular filter media on top of rotating rollers which dries the tubular filter media evenly and preserves the desired characteristics of the tubular filter media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of pseudolatices or micro- and/or nanoparticles, in which a polymer is crystalline, partially crystalline or amorphous, is selected from cellulose derivatives, poly(meth)acrylates, shellac, polylactides, polylactide/polyglycolide mixtures, polyhydroxy butyric acids or polycyanoacrylates and is heated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature and then high-pressure homogenized in water or an aqueous buffer solution and this suspension is converted, if necessary, into micro- and/or nanoparticles by drying. Medicaments can be worked into the pseudolatices, micro- and/or nanoparticles.

Abstract: Ceramic structure having porosity of 10-80% is characterized by a solid cmic matrix having therein elongated and parallel channels, the structure is made by a process that includes the steps of:(a) arranging tows of elongated fibers parallel to each other to form a fiber preform,(b) contacting the fiber preform with a matrix precursor whereby the matrix precursor deposits around the fibers,(c) removing the fiber preform from the matrix precursor,(d) drying the fiber preform,(e) calcining the fiber preform,(f) hot pressing the structure containing the fugitive fibers therein, and(g) removing at least some of the fibers to form channels in the structure.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the production of porous ceramic preforms, metal activated porous ceramic preforms and intermetallic/ceramic/metal composites. These products are all manufactured using processes which are based on tape casting techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of seamless capsules comprising a shell material encapsulating a center-filled core material in which a heated carrier liquid or air is cooled by a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A coating fluid holding member including a porous molded body which is formed of heat-resistant fibers (or a mixture of heat-resistant fibers and a filler) bound to each other with a binder, has intercommunicating pores having an average pore size of 1 to 500 .mu.m, and has a porosity of 20 to 90%, and a coating fluid holding member including a porous molded body which is formed of heat-resistant fibers bound to each other with a binder, contains fine intercommunicating interstices between fibers and uniformly distributed pores having a diameter of 0.05 to 2 mm, and has a porosity of 30 to 90%. The holding member has a high fluid holding capacity for its volume and releases the coating fluid, such as a parting agent, an oil or a coating compound, in a stable manner for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method for producing engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions in which an aqueous continuous phase having at least one metal cation salt is mixed with a hydrophilic organic polymeric disperse phase so as to form a metal cation/polymer gel. The metal cation/polymer gel is then treated to form a structural mass precursor, which structural mass precursor is heated, resulting in formation of a structural mass having predetermined characteristics based upon the intended application of the structural mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of polymer microparticles.

Abstract: A structurally stable gel bead containing an entrapped enzyme and a method for its manufacture. The enzyme is covalently cross-linked to gelatin in the presence of glutaraldehyde prior to the formation of the gel bead, to prevent leakage of the enzyme. Propylene glycol alginate is then added to the mixture. Once the gel beads are formed, they are then soaked in glutaraldehyde, which imparts structural stability to the gel beads. This method can be used with many types of enzymes, such as proteases, carbohydrases, proteases, ligases, isomerases, oxidoreductases, and specialty enzymes. These and other enzymes can be immobilized in the gel beads and utilized in a number of enzymatic processes. Exogenously added ions are not required to maintain the structural stability of these gel beads.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of administration forms and delivery systems for drugs, vaccines and other biologically active agents. More specifically the invention is related to the preparation of suspensions of colloidal solid lipid particles (SLPs) of predominantly anisometrical shape with the lipid matrix being in a stable polymorphic modification and of suspensions of micron and submicron particles of bioactive agents (PBAs); as well as to the use of such suspensions or the lyophilizates thereof as delivery systems primarily for the parenteral administration of preferably poorly water-soluble bioactive substances, particularly drugs, and to their use in cosmetic, food and agricultural products.SLPs and PBAs are prepared by the following emulsification process:(1) A solid lipid or bioactive agent or a mixture of solid lipids or bioactive agents is melted.

Abstract: A method for making an activated carbon composite which involves providing a crosslinkable resin and a support material which is wettable by the resin. The support material can be cotton, chopped wood, sisal, non-fugitive material, and combinations of these. The support is contacted with the resin; and the resin and support material are dried. The resin and support material are then shaped, the resin is cured, and the resin and any carbonizable material are carbonized. The carbon is then activated to produce the product composite. An activated carbon composite produced by the above described method in which the carbon is in the form of a continuous structure reinforced by and uniformly distributed throughout non-fugitive support material.

Abstract: A ceramic porous body is constituted of ceramic particles which have a substantially continuous, monotonic size distribution in the thickness direction of the porous body.

Abstract: A process for assembling a porous ceramic coating to a substrate comprising: forming a ceramic matrix tape including a first ceramic powder having a first full density sintering temperature, a second ceramic powder having a second full density sintering temperature and a fugitive filler material; placing the ceramic matrix tape on the substrate; and heating the ceramic matrix tape and substrate to a sintering temperature above the first full density sintering temperature and below the second full density sintering temperature, wherein the fugitive filler material decomposes during said heating.

Abstract: By kneading a composition containing a filler and an organic forming binder, extruding the composition, baking the composition in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, there is obtained a first baked lead containing, as a binder, a carbon obtained by the carbonization of the organic forming binder. Then, by heating the first baked lead in an oxidizing atmosphere to remove the binder carbon, there is formed a second baked lead composed of at least the filler. The pores of the second baked lead are impregnated with a solution containing perhydropolysilazane, subjecting the lead to a heat treatment in an inert atmosphere or an ammonia gas atmosphere to form a third baked lead containing the resultant silicon nitride. Finally, ink is filled into the pores of the third baked lead to provide a baked color pencil lead.

Abstract: A porous ceramic filter obtainable from a thin and flat green filter material, wherein round components are punched out of the green material and stacked, leaving at least one hollow interior that can communicates with an outlet, and the stack is then sintered together into a homogeneous unit. The green material is produced by casting, the separate components are punched out of it in the form of two flat disks (2 & 3) and a ring (4) with the same outside diameter, joined subject to pressure and leaving the interior (1), and sintered into a homogeneous unit.

Abstract: A battery assembly comprising a separator, spaced metal/metal oxide electrodes and a liquid electrolyte, the improvement comprising a rigid, porous, ceramic separator that is wettable by the liquid electrolyte, that has a porosity of 40-90 volume %, an average pore size in the range of 0.1-25 microns, a thickness of 1-12 mm, and a weight loss of not more than about 5% when exposed to H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 having a specific gravity of 1.28 for 72 hours at 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A hydroxylapatite base porous beads filler for use in cure of an injured or diseased part of bone of an organism. The porous filler is comprised of fired hydroxylapatite base beads each of which is formed with many pores. Each pore of the bead has a diameter of 1 to 100 .mu.m and a length larger than the diameter. Each bead has a porosity of 10 to 50% and a diameter of 0.02 to 20 mm. The pores of the bead may be filled with a solution containing a pharmaceutical in order to promote the cure of the injured or diseased part.

Abstract: A decorative construction material such as a glass tile is produced from recycled glass granulate, and exhibits a smooth, external surface substantially free from defects on one side of the tile. One or two layer tiles may be produced. A binder, together with control of the maximum temperature and temperature gradient in the layers, if applicable, is used during manufacture to ensure a substantially flawless outer surface.

Abstract: A self-sintered silicon carbide/carbon-graphite composite material having interconnected pores which may be impregnated, and a raw batch and process for producing the composite material, is provided. The composite material comprises a densified, self-sintered matrix of silicon carbide, carbon-graphite inclusions and small amounts of any residual sintering aids, such as boron and free carbon, and has interconnected pores which may be impregnated with resin, carbon, TEFLON, (polyetrafluoroethylene) metal or other compounds or materials selected for their particular properties to achieve desired tribological characteristics for a specific application. The composite material is produced from a raw batch which includes silicon carbide, sintering aids, a temporary filler and coated graphite particles. The raw batch is then molded/shaped into a green body and heated to carbonize any carbonizable materials and to decompose and volatilize the organic filler to form a matrix of interconnected pores.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic body in which a ceramic mixture is formed into a green body and thereafter fired. The ceramic mixture is prepared by mixing at least about 40 weight percent of ceramic material and less than about 60 weight percent of gluten with water. At least about 90 weight percent of the particles of ceramic material are smaller than about 20 microns, and at least about 50 weight percent of the particles of ceramic material are from about 0.5 to about 2 microns. The mixture has a pH of from about 2 to about 8.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles, particularly microcapsules and their fabrication method. Said microparticles, and particularly said microcapsules, are characterized in that they have a wall made of the product obtained from the reaction between a polysaccharide carrying esterified carboxylic groups and a polyaminated or polyhydroxylated substance, particularly through a transacylation reaction. Said microparticles or said microcapsules are useful for the fabrication of cosmetic, pharmaceutical or food product compositions.

Abstract: A process for the production of a microporous body having heat insulation properties by(a) mixing of(I) 0.5%-60% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate/calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate/calcium hydroxide(II) 5%-95% by weight of highly dispersed SiO.sub.2 with a content of 0%-20% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (based on the SiO.sub.2 employed);(III) 0%-60% by weight of an opacifying agent having at least one absorption maximum in the wavelength range of 1.5-10 .mu.m; and(IV) 0.1%-10% by weight of an organic fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers and carbon fibers;(b) compressing the mixture prepared to form a shaped article; and(c) heating the shaped article under oxidizing conditions produced at a temperature between 750.degree. C. to 950.degree. C. to oxidize the organic fibers and to produce the microporous body.

Abstract: A high purity .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate ceramic having a superior biocompatibility for use mainly as a bone filler, is produced by shaping a powder material formed by a wet method, followed by sintering it and then cooling at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method of preparing near net shape, monolithic, porous SiC foams is disclosed. Organosilicon precursors are used to produce polymeric gels by thermally induced phase separation, wherein, a sufficiently concentrated solution of an organosilicon polymer is cooled below its solidification temperature to form a gel. Following solvent removal from the gel, the polymer foam is pretreated in an oxygen plasma in order to raise its glass transition temperature. The pretreated foam is then pyrolized in an inert atmosphere to form a SiC foam.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming ceramic composite panels is disclosed. The ceramic composite panel comprises a pair of skins disposed in spaced relationship to one another. The pair of skins comprises fibers of a generic fiber system disposed throughout a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state. A ceramic foam is disposed between the pair of skins.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic filter media for water filters involves the steps of mixing a plurality of raw ceramic materials and a plurality of extrusion-aid materials to form a mixture of constituent materials, extruding the constituent materials to form tubular filter media, drying the tubular filter media, and firing the tubular filter media to create ceramic tubular filter media. The step of drying the tubular filter media preferably comprises placing the tubular filter media on top of rotating rollers which dries the tubular filter media evenly and preserves the desired characteristics of the tubular filter media.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method of producing a ceramic foam. The steps for producing the ceramic foam include first mixing a liquid pre-ceramic resin with a liquid phenolic resin, second allowing the resultant mixture to chemically foam, third curing the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to convert the mixture to a polymeric foam, and then heating the resultant polymeric foam for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to completely break-down polymers of the polymeric foam and convert the polymeric foam to a ceramic foam.

Abstract: A slurry is molded from ceramic fibers and/or microparticles to form a soft felt mat which is impregnated with a sol prior to drying the mat. A catalyst for the sol is caused to diffuse into the mat by exposing the mat to the catalyst and subjecting the mat to a soak time during which the catalyst diffuses into the mat and causes the sol to gel. The sol-gel binder forms bonds so that the mat is dimensionally stabilized. The mat is dried to produce ceramic insulation, ceramic insulation having a consistent microstructure and a fully gelled sol-gel binder through its entire thickness.

Abstract: An active material encapsulated in a coating material immiscible therewith is contacted with a solvent that dissolves residual active material on the surface of the coating material without dissolving the coating material. The resultant encapsulated material has improved stability as compared to the material not contacted with solvent.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by dispersing or dissolving an active component or components in a solid matrix-forming material that has been thermally softened to form an encapsulation composition. The encapsulation composition is injected as an intact stream into a quenching liquid to provide solid microcapsules.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic composite panel is disclosed. The composite panel comprises a pair of skins disposed in spaced relationship to one another. The pair of skins comprises fibers of a generic fiber system disposed throughout a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state. A ceramic foam is disposed between the pair of skins. Apparatus for forming the panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing sintered shapes, comprising the steps of:(1) forming a green body from a mixture comprising a major amount of at least one inorganic powder; and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of: (A) at least one reaction product of a hydroxy compound with a carboxylic acylating agent; (B) at least one Mannich reaction product; (C) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted amine; (D) at least one aminophenol; (E) at least one reaction product of a nitrophenol and amino compound; (F) at least one basic nitrogen-containing polymer; (G) at least one carboxylic acylating agent; (H) at least one aromatic acid or derivative thereof; (I) at least one aromatic oxime; and (J) at least one overbased or gelled overbased metal salt of an acidic organic compound provided that when the carboxylic acylating agent is a hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acylating agent and the hydrocarbyl group contains less than an average of 40 carbon atoms, then the carboxylic acylatin

Abstract: A foamed glass product and its manufacturer are disclosed. According to the present invention, crushed glass particles and a foaming agent, preferably selected from CaCO.sub.3 and CaSO.sub.4, are provided. The glass particles and foaming agent are mixed and heated to a desired foaming temperature for creating foamed glass. A nonreactive gas having desired insulative properties, preferably selected from SO.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 is provided to sweep air away from the mixture during heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to wax capsules containing a structuring agent for encapsulation of an active material which is unstable in a liquid environment. The structuring agent is selected from the group of a hydrophobic silica, a hydrocarbon material and a molecular weight of about 50,000 to about 5,000,000 and an organophilic clay. The invention is especially useful for encapsulation of a surfactant. A process of making the capsules is also described.

Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: A process for producing a seamless capsule wherein a two-layer droplet is ejected from a double orifice type nozzle in an aqueous hardening liquid, and an outer layer of the droplet is hardened under cooling, the viscosity of the aqueous hardening liquid being made within the range of 20 to 100 mPa.multidot.s, and any difference in specific gravity between any two of the liquids of the layers ejected from the nozzle and the aqueous hardening liquid is made within 0.05.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous ceramic body in which a green body containing at least 60 weight percent of ceramic material, at least about 25 weight percent of water, and from 5 to 40 weight percent of gluten is formed. The green body is dried until it contains less than about 0.5 weight percent, and it is then heated to a temperature of from 1,100 to 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit until substantially all of the gluten has been removed.

Abstract: An air electrode body for a solid oxide fuel cell, which is composed of a perovskite-type structure having a chemical composition of (La.sub.1-x A.sub.x).sub.1-y MnO.sub.3 wherein 0<x.ltoreq.0.5, 0<y.ltoreq.0.2, and A is at least one metal selected from strontium, calcium, manganese, barium, yttrium, cerium and ytterbium. The air electrode body has a porosity of 15 to 40% and an average pore diameter of 1-5 .mu.m. A process for producing the air electrode body, includes the steps of: mixing lanthanum or a lanthanum compound, manganese or a manganese compound, a metal A or a compound of the metal A wherein A is at least one kind of metals selected from the group of strontium, calcium, manganese, barium, yttrium, cerium and ytterbium; calcining the resulting mixture at a temperature from 1,300.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. to synthesize (La.sub.1-x A.sub.x).sub.1-y MnO.sub.3 ; grinding the synthesized material to a powder having an average particle diameter of 3 to 15 .mu.

Abstract: A process for producing pellets which are markedly spherical and have a particle size in the range from 0.1 to 4 mm and an apparent density above 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, and which are composed of 90-100% by weight of an ephedrine derivative and 0-10% by weight of a pharmaceutical aid, entails suspending ephedrine derivative powder with an average particle size of from 0.5 to 50 .mu.m at 0.degree.-90.degree. C. with stirring in a water-immiscible non solvent with a boiling point in the range from 60.degree. to 160.degree. C., adding 5-60% by weight, based on the ephedrine derivative, of an agglomerating liquid while continuing stirring, and, if there has been previous heating, cooling to from -5 to 25.degree. C. at 5-40K per hour, with the stirring speed being adjusted after the agglomeration of the powder particles to a value which is necessary for the required average particle size, and removing and drying the resulting pellets.