Abstract: The subject of the invention is a glass-, ceramic- or vitroceramic-based substrate (1) provided on at least part of at least one of its faces with a coating (3) with a photocatalytic property containing at least partially crystalline titanium oxide. It also relates to the applications of such a substrate and to its method of preparation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a sheet of flexible gelled ceramic and/or metallic containing material, comprising the steps of: (a) combining water, ceramic and/or metallic powder, polymer, plasticiser, water soluble cross-linking agent precursor and optional further components to produce a mixture; (b) applying the mixture to a suitable substrate to form a layer of desired dimensions; (c) exposing the layer to conditions suitable for cross-linking to occur.

Abstract: A member for a plasma etching device, which comprises a device substrate comprising quartz glass, aluminum, alumite or a combination thereof and, formed on the surface thereof, a coating film of yttrium oxide or YAG having a film thickness of 10 ?m or more and a variation in the thickness of 10% or less, and preferably a surface roughness (Ra) of 1 ?m or less; and a method for manufacturing the member for a plasma etching device, which comprises a step of plasma-spraying yttrium oxide or YAG to the surface of said device substrate or a step of fusing yttrium oxide or YAG with an oxyhydrogen flame, followed by coating the surface with the fused product, or a step of applying a solution containing yttrium, a yttrium compound or YAG on the above surface, followed by heating to fuse the resultant coating, or a combination of the above steps, thereby forming a coating film of yttrium oxide or YAG having a film thickness 10 ?m or more and a variation in the thickness of 10% or less, and preferably a surface roughne

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite material is disclosed having non-oxide ceramic fibers, which are formed in a complex fiber architecture by conventional textile processes; a thin mechanically weak interphase material, which is coated on the fibers; and a non-oxide or oxide ceramic matrix, which is formed within the interstices of the interphase-coated fiber architecture. During composite fabrication or post treatment, the interphase is allowed to debond from the matrix while still adhering to the fibers, thereby providing enhanced oxidative durability and damage tolerance to the fibers and the composite material.

Abstract: A chemical reactor and a method for arranging a ceramic barrier in a gasifying reactor, which reactor is arranged to convert high energy organic waste of black liquor type with a large amount of organic or inorganic alkali metal compounds, by high temperature oxidation with air or oxygen, whereby the organic waste is converted to a hot reducing gas containing a considerable amount of water vapour and the inorganic compounds form an alkali-containing salt melt at a temperature of 750-1150° C.

Abstract: A method for forming a material for a brake disc, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing at least one porous body; (ii) introducing into pores of the porous body one or more precursor materials for forming or depositing a ceramic material; and (iii) forming the brake disc material by forming or depositing the ceramic material from the precursor material within the pores of the body, wherein the precursor material is a liquid containing a suspension of ceramic particles and/or acid phosphate.

Abstract: A water-resistant porcelain enamel coating and method of making the same is provided. The porcelain enamel coating is prepared using a borosilicate glass frit, and mill additions of silica and a zirconia compound. The mixture is applied to a metal substrate and fired, resulting in a water-resistant coating that resists cracking and crazing. The coating is particularly useful in water heaters. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a fine zirconia compound having a median particle size of less than 10 microns.

Abstract: A method for producing a resin substrate coated with a titanic acid film, characterized in that it comprises providing a suspension of a scaly titanic acid by treating a layered titanate with an acid or warm water and allowing a basic compound having a force swelling the interstice of the layer to act thereon, to swell or separate the layer, applying the suspension on a resin substrate, and subjecting the resultant substrate to a heat treatment at a temperature less than the softening temperature of said resin substrate, preferably at a temperature less than 100° C., to thereby form a titanic acid film on the resin substrate. The above method can be suitably used for forming an inorganic coating film excellent in transparency, surface hardness, gas-barrier property and the like on any type of resin substrate with good adhesion property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston ring coated with a coating material by a thermal spray process, exposed to heat treatment of the coating material at an elevated temperature and for a time effective to at least partially diffuse the coating material into the piston ring surface or underlying layer of coating material, and an additionally applied coating material layer subject to successive heat treatments of each coating material layer in order to lay down on the piston ring surface a plurality of layers of the same coating material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glazing panel comprises the steps of: a) taking a glazing panel having on one of its surfaces (i) a substantially transparent coating layer having a transformable portion, and (ii) an enamel material associated with the transformable portion of the coating layer; and b) causing an interaction between the transformable portion of the coating layer and the enamel material associated therewith by healing the glazing panel to a temperature above about 300° C. This may render a portion of the coating layer less susceptible to corrosion and/or non-conductive to electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pearlescent coating for a vehicle of a particular vehicle color, comprising an e-coat and an outer coating portion applied to the e-coat, the outer coating portion including at least one color-containing primer layer applied to the e-coat layer and a pearlescent coating applied to the primer layer, the outer coating portion being capable of absorbing about 85 percent of UV radiation landing on the coating.

Abstract: A coherent material is formed on a substrate (10) by providing a precursor suspension (14) in which particulates are suspended in a carrier fluid, and directing the precursor suspension (14) at the substrate (10) from a first source (12). Generally contemporaneously with application of the deposited precursor suspension (14) to the surface, hot gases, e.g. hot gases produced by a flame (16), are directed at the substrate (10) from a remote second source (18) to fuse the particulates into the coherent material.

Abstract: A durable protective coating may be formed by applying a thin layer of metastable alumina to a bond coating on a substrate. A thermal barrier coating may then be applied to the metastable alumina and the resulting part may be heat treated to transform the metastable alumina to a mixed alpha alumina having particles of the thermal barrier coating, such as zirconia in the case of an yttria stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coating, dispersed therein. The resulting thermal barrier coating may inhibit microbuckling of the thermally grown oxide scale that grows over time at the thermal barrier coating-bond coating interface.

Abstract: The invention concerns discrete electrochromic particles comprising conducting, semiconducting or insulating nanoparticles having one or more electrochromic compounds adsorbed on the surface thereof. These particles may be deposited on an electrode in a single process step at a relatively low temperature, thereby allowing the use of heat-sensitive materials such as plastics as flexible substrates for the electrode.

Abstract: A method of forming a dense and crack-free hematite-containing protective layer on a metal-based substrate for use in a high temperature oxidising and/or corrosive environment comprises applying onto the substrate a particle mixture consisting of: 60 to 99 95 weight %, in particular 70 to 95 weight % such as 75 to 85 weight %, of hematite with or without iron metal and/or ferrous oxide; 1 to 25 weight %, in particular 5 8 to 20 weight % such as 8 to 15 weight %, of nitride and/or carbide particles, such as boron nitride, aluminium nitride or zirconium carbide particles; and 0 to 15 weight %, in particular 5 to 15 weight %, of one or more further constituents that consist of at least one metal or metal oxide or a heat-convertible precursor thereof.

Abstract: Electrocatalyst powders and energy devices fabricated using electrocatalyst powders and methods for making energy devices. The energy devices, such as fuel cells, have improved performance over a range of operating conditions.

Abstract: Heterolayered thin films having ferroelectric/piezoelectric layers of alternating crystal structures and methods of their preparation are provided. In the ferroelectric/piezoelectric thin film, a first layer has a rhombohedral crystal structure and a second layer adjacent the first layer has a tetragonal crystal structure. The layers have a (100) preferred orientation with ?-axis normal to the surface of the film. The first layer can be a Zr-rich lead ziroconate titanate layer (e.g., PbZr0.8Ti0.2O3) and the second layer can be a Ti-rich PZT layer (e.g., PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3). Heterolayered ferroelectric/piezoelectric thin film comprising a plurality of such first and second layers in alternating sequence exhibits particularly improved electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon oxide film includes disposing a silicon oxide film on a surface of a target substrate, and performing a reformation process on the silicon oxide film. The reformation process is performed by annealing the silicon oxide film while exposing the silicon oxide film to oxygen radicals and hydroxyl group radicals.

Abstract: In manufacturing a barrier-forming film, a vapor-deposited inorganic oxide film is provided on a face of a substrate film. An annealing treatment is applied to the substrate film having said vapor-deposited inorganic film. The substrate film is a resinous film which selected from a group consisting of polyesters, polyamides and polypropylenes. The annealing treatment includes a heating treatment carried out at a temperature within the range from 55° C. to 150° C. in order to cause thermal shrinkage of the substrate film and to increase density of the vapor-deposited inorganic oxide film. The vapor-deposited inorganic oxide film includes a vapor-deposited silicon oxide film or a vapor-deposited aluminum oxide film.

Abstract: A composition of matter including a substrate of a metal that is susceptible to corrosion in a high pH alkaline solution, a corrosion-resistant base layer disposed on the surface of the substrate, the base layer having a pure or high silica zeolite having a silicon:aluminum atomic ratio of at least about 100, a middle mixed zeolite layer disposed on the surface of the base layer, and a top hydrophilic layer disposed on the surface of the middle layer, the top layer having a high aluminum zeolite having a silicon:aluminum atomic ratio of less than 5. The middle mixed zeolite layer includes a zeolite having a silicon:aluminum atomic ratio range that is between the silicon:aluminum ratio of the pure or high silica zeolite of the base layer and of the high aluminum zeolite of the top layer.

Abstract: A corrosion protection covering method for spliced regions of reinforcing steel is disclosed. The covering may include an outer, heat shrinkable layer and a flowable inner layer. The covering is applied to the spliced region, and then heated, causing the outer layer to constrict and thereby seal the taped area. The heat also causes the inner layer to liquify and fill any voids.

Abstract: The present inventors devised unique atomic-layer deposition systems, methods, and apparatus suitable for aluminum-oxide deposition. One exemplary method entails providing an outer chamber enclosing a substrate, forming an inner chamber within the outer chamber, and introducing an oxidant into the inner chamber, and introducing an aluminum precursor into the inner chamber. The inner chamber has a smaller volume than the outer chamber, which ultimately requires less time to fill and purge and thus promises to reduce cycle times for deposition of materials, such as aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ceramic glow pin which is formed of more than two layers arranged especially coaxially to the axis of the glow pin and symmetrically. The layers of the layer structure are manufactured by co-extrusion.

Abstract: There are provided an electrode for electrolysis which takes into consideration safety to human bodies and environmental pollution upon disposal of the electrode, produces ozone with high efficiency and has excellent durability, a production process of the electrode, and an active oxygen producing device using the electrode. In an electrode 5 for electrolysis which has an electrode catalyst at least on the surface and produces ozone or active oxygen in for-treatment water by electrolysis, the electrode catalyst contains a dielectric which constitutes more than 70% of the surface area of the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: Electrocatalyst powders and methods for producing electrocatalyst powders, such as carbon composite electrocatalyst powders. The powders have a well-controlled microstructure and morphology. The method includes forming the particles from an aerosol of precursors by heating the aerosol to a relatively low temperature, such as not greater than about 400° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermally tempered safety glass comprising an non-abrasive and porous SiO2 layer which is stable during sintering and has a refractive index of between 1.25 and 1.40. The inventive safety glass can be obtained by coating standard soda-lime glass with an aqueous coating solution having a pH value of between 3 and 8 and containing between 0.5 and 5.0 wt. % of [SiOx(OH)y]n particles (0<y<4 and 0<x<2) having a particle size of between 10 and 60 nm, and a surfactant mixture. The coated glass is then dried, thermally hardened at temperatures of at least 600° C. for several minutes, and thermally tempered by a flow of air.

Abstract: Low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures provide solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one aspect the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another aspect, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe and Cu, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A mixture of particulate silicone based material and small hollow elements, such as spheres and/or fibers, is provided. The particulate silicone based material is heated to a temperature between about 200° F. and about 400° F. The particulate silicone based material is cooled until a solid body is formed. The solid body is resistant to melting and thermal decomposition when heated to temperatures of at least 3000° F. The solid body may contain cavities formed by the small hollow elements. The solid body may contain reinforcing fibers. The solid body may contain both small hollow elements and fibers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making a sensor comprises: forming a slurry comprising a metal oxide, a binder, an acetate, and a reducing material, applying the slurry to at least a portion of a sensing element comprising two electrodes with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and calcining the slurry to form a protective coating. In one embodiment, a gas sensor, comprises: a sensing element comprising a sensing electrode and a reference electrode having an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and a protective coating disposed over the sensing electrode, wherein the protective coating comprises aluminum oxide, an alpha alumina and about 2 wt % to about 15 wt % solid solution, based upon the total weight of the protective coating.

Abstract: A method of forming a rhenium layer on a substrate, comprising: applying a solid rhenium-containing compound to a substrate; reducing at a temperature above ambient temperature the rhenium-containing compound so that a rhenium layer is formed on the substrate; and optionally, repeating applying additional rhenium-containing compound on at least a section of the rhenium layer, and reducing at a temperature above ambient temperature the additional rhenium-containing compound so that a thicker layer of rhenium is formed.

Abstract: A method for producing a spark plug, the spark plug comprising a center electrode, a metal shell and an alumina ceramic insulator disposed between the center electrode and the metal shell, wherein at least part of the surface of the insulator is covered with a glaze layer, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of kinds of element glaze powders wherein each kind of the element glaze powders has a different dilatometric softening point and a different linear expansion coefficient compared to other kinds of element glaze powders; coating a surface of the insulator with the plurality of kinds of element glaze powders so as to form a glaze powder layer; and baking the glaze powder layer to the surface of the insulator so as to form the glaze layer by heating the glaze powder layer.

Abstract: A method of passivating the surface of a substrate to protect the surface against corrosion, the surface effects on a vacuum environment, or both. The substrate surface is placed in a treatment environment and is first dehydrated and then the environment is evacuated. A silicon hydride gas is introduced into the treatment environment, which may be heated prior to the introduction of the gas. The substrate and silicon hydride gas contained therein are heated, if the treatment environment was not already heated prior to the introduction of the gas and pressurized to decompose the gas. A layer of silicon is deposited on the substrate surface. The duration of the silicon depositing step is controlled to prevent the formation of silicon dust in the treatment environment. The substrate is then cooled and held at a cooled temperature to optimize surface conditions for subsequent depositions, and the treatment environment is purged with an inert gas to remove the silicon hydride gas.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a sensing film for gas sensors by sintering particles comprising a metal or a metal oxide on a substrate, where the sensing film for gas sensors having excellent sensor properties such as sensitivity and responsibility can be easily and simply formed. A nano-meter order particle (100), a dispersant (110) for preventing aggregation of the particles (100), and a scavenger (120) for trapping the dispersant (110) at the sintering are mixed in a solvent (130) to prepare a paste body (140), and this paste body (140) is coated on a base material and fired, thereby forming a sensing film.

Abstract: Silicon carbide structures are fabricated by fabricating a nitrided oxide layer on a layer of silicon carbide and annealing the nitrided oxide layer in an environment containing hydrogen. Such a fabrication of the nitrided oxide layer may be provided by forming the oxide layer in at least one of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide and/or annealing an oxide layer in at least one of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide. Alternatively, the nitrided oxide layer may be provided by fabricating an oxide layer and fabricating a nitride layer on the oxide layer so as to provide the nitrided oxide layer on which the nitride layer is fabricated. Furthermore, annealing the oxide layer may be provided as a separate step and/or substantially concurrently with another step such as fabricating the nitride layer or performing a contact anneal. The hydrogen environment may be pure hydrogen, hydrogen combined with other gases and/or result from a hydrogen precursor. Anneal temperatures of 400° C. or greater are preferred.

Abstract: A method for producing a piezoelectric element by superposing a piezoelectric material made of a piezoelectric ceramic composition containing a PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3—PbZrO3—PbTiO3 ternary system solid solution composition represented by the general formula Pbx(Mgy/3Nb2/3)aTibZrcO3 as a main component, and 0.05 to 10.0 mass % of NiO on a ceramic substrate or on an electrode formed on the ceramic substrate, and subjecting the superposed piezoelectric material to a thermal treatment in an atmosphere where 0.03–0.5 mg/cm3 (NiO conversion amount per unit volume of a space in a container) of an atmosphere-controlling material having the same composition as the piezoelectric material is coexisted.

Abstract: A method for forming a ruthenium metal layer comprises combining a ruthenium precursor with a measured amount of oxygen to form a ruthenium oxide layer. The ruthenium oxide is annealed in the presence of a hydrogen-rich gas to react the oxygen in the ruthenium oxide with hydrogen, which results in a ruthenium metal layer. By varying the oxygen flow rate during the formation of ruthenium oxide, a ruthenium metal layer having various degrees of smooth and rough textures can be formed.

Abstract: Process for protecting fiber-reinforced, carbon-containing composites whose matrix comprises, at least in the outer layer, silicon carbide (SiC) and also silicon (Si) and/or silicon alloys against oxidation, which comprises the steps a) impregnation of the composite with an aqueous, phosphate-containing solution, b) drying, c) heat treatment at a temperature which is at least sufficient to convert the dried solution into insoluble compounds which are suitable for forming a self-healing glass, wherein the composite is treated oxidatively to form silicon oxide (SiO2) either prior to step a), between steps a) and b) or during or after step b) and/or c).

Abstract: Methods for controlling the grain structure of a polycrystalline Si-containing film involve depositing the film in stages so that the morphology of a first film layer deposited in an initial stage favorably influences the morphology of a second film layer deposited in a later stage. In an illustrated embodiment, the initial stage includes an anneal step. In another embodiment, the later stage involves depositing the second layer under different deposition conditions than for the first layer.

Abstract: A ceramic tile includes a ceramic core material and an oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC), where the ceramic core material has at least one surface covered by the oxide CMC. The oxide CMC includes a ceramic fiber, with a cured metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber. An exemplary embodiment of the ceramic tile provided as part of the invention further includes a tough low temperature cure coating (TLTC) which infiltrates the ceramic core surface before it is covered by the oxide CMC. The TLTC includes a cured ceramic powder together with a binder. The metal oxide ceramic material impregnating the ceramic fiber, and the TLTC are co-cured, meaning that neither is cured when the CMC is wrapped around a surface of the TLTC-infiltrated ceramic core, and a curing step is performed on both uncured ceramic materials at the same time.

Abstract: A method for making a silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon oxide structure includes forming a tunnel oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer over a substrate; annealing the silicon nitride layer; forming a silicon oxide layer over the annealed silicon nitride layer by high temperature low pressure chemical vapor deposition; depositing a first gate layer over the silicon oxide layer; patterning to form a silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon oxide (ONO) structure; forming bit lines in the substrate adjacent the ONO structure; and annealing to form a thermal oxide over the bit lines.

Abstract: Oxygen partial pressure may be controlled during annealing of a perovskite dielectric layer by providing an oxygen-absorbing layer adjacent the perovskite dielectric layer, and annealing the perovskite dielectric layer in an ambient that includes an ambient oxygen partial pressure, such that the oxygen-absorbing layer locally reduces the oxygen partial pressure adjacent the perovskite dielectric layer to below the ambient oxygen partial pressure. Thus, a perovskite dielectric layer can be annealed without the need to provide ultra-high vacuum and/or ultra-high purity ambient environments.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for an underlying metal substrate of articles that operate at, or are exposed to, high temperatures, as well as being exposed to environmental contaminant compositions. This coating comprises an inner layer nearest to the underlying metal substrate comprising a ceramic thermal barrier coating material having a melting point of at least about 2000° F. (1093° C.), as well as a thermally glazed outer layer having an exposed surface and a thickness up to 0.4 mils (about 10 microns) and sufficient to at least partially protect the thermal barrier coating against environmental contaminants that become deposited on the exposed surface, and comprising a thermally glazeable coating material having a melting point of at least about 2000° F. (1093° C.) in an amount up to 100%. This coating can be used to provide a thermally protected article having a metal substrate and optionally a bond coated layer adjacent to and overlaying the metal substrate.

Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one embodiment the invention provides techniques for firing of device substrate to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another embodiment, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe, Cu and Ag, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A porous ceramic body protected by a damage resistant hardened surface, and a method for preparing the surface hardened ceramic body. The ceramic body is protected by applying to the surface a slurry composition containing a binding agent, particles of a ceramic material, at least one boron containing compound, and a solvent. The inclusion of at least one boron containing compound in the slurry provides for hardened surfaces that are stable to higher temperatures as compared to those of the prior art.

Abstract: Metal oxide coated substrates are disclosed comprising a three dimensional substrate having a coating of metal oxide on at least a portion of all three dimensions thereof and having a polymeric inner core, produced by a unique process having particular applicability to the manufacture of tin oxide coated three dimensional substrates. Certain novel coated substrates, such as flakes, spheres and porous substrates are disclosed. The coated substrates are useful in polymers, catalysis, heating and shielding applications.

Abstract: The resistivity of an electrically conductive layer of molybdenum or a molybdenum alloy is reduced. For that purpose, a MoO2 layer is formed on the surface of the electrically conductive layer. The sheet resistivity can thereby be reduced in the order of magnitude of 10% to 15%.

Abstract: A method for preparing a superconducting heat transfer medium having three basic layers, the method having the steps of preparing a first layer mixture, applying the first layer mixture to a surface of a substrate so as to form a first layer, preparing a second layer mixture, applying the second layer mixture to the substrate over the first layer so as to form a second layer on top of the first layer, preparing a third layer powder, and exposing the second layer to the third layer powder so as to form a third layer on top of the second layer, thus forming the three layer superconducting heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A component comprises a silicon-based substrate; and a protective coating for the substrate. The protective coating includes tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) and an additive for suppressing transformation from beta Ta2O5 to alpha Ta2O5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a multilayer phosphor (film) product on a substrate. The method comprises adding solid particulate precursor to a solution of an alkoxide precursor and a dopant precursor before hydrolysis is allowed to occur. The mixture is then allowed to hydrolyze, resulting in a sol-gel condensation reaction. The solid particulate precursor can be fumed silica, and acts as a nucleation site for the sol-gel reaction product. After the sol-gel reaction, the mixture is dried and fired to form a multilayer phosphor (film). The phosphor film is especially suitable for applications in which there is low voltage operation.

Abstract: A coated turning insert particularly useful for turning of forged components of stainless steel low alloyed steel. The insert is characterized by a WC-Co cemented carbide body having a highly W-alloyed Co-binder phase and a coating including an innermost layer of TiCxNyOz with columnar grains and a top layer of fine grained ?-Al2O3.