Abstract: A polymer substrate having deposited on its surface a reaction product of a precursor material obtained or obtainable by a method for preparation of polymer, and to the use of the polymer having improved antibacterial properties and/or antiviral properties or of the polymer having improved antibacterial properties and/or antiviral properties obtained or obtainable by the method for medical applications, antibiofouling applications, hygiene applications, food industry applications, industrial or computer related applications, consumer goods applications and appliances, public and public transport applications, underwater, water sanitation or seawater applications.

Abstract: A thermal-storage container used in a thermal-storage system to exchange heat by fluid flow though phase-changing material disposed inside the thermal-storage container, including a thermal-storage container housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and one or more capsules containing the phase-change material, wherein the housing is shaped as an elongate container, a ratio of length to width of the housing is between 2 and 20. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a preparation method of a fly ash-based ceramic membrane support, including the following steps: 1) subjecting fly ash to alkali washing and acid washing to obtain pretreated fly ash; 2) blending a raw material including the pretreated fly ash, and then conducting aging and extrusion molding to obtain a green body; and 3) spraying a surface water-retaining agent (including glycerol, tung oil, a diol, and polyethylene glycol) on a surface of the green body to allow static curing in a constant-temperature and constant-humidity environment, and then conducting drying and sintering after the curing is completed. The preparation method can effectively improve molding and sintering performances of the fly ash to obtain a fly ash-based ceramic membrane support with a qualified performance.

Abstract: A process for the production of a ceramic article includes the steps of: (a) preparing a particulate mixture; (b) contacting the particulate mixture to water to form a humidified mixture; (c) pressing the humidified mixture to form a green article; (d) optionally, subjecting the green article to an initial drying step; (e) optionally, glazing the green article to form a glazed green article; (f) subjecting the green article to a heat treatment step to form a hot fused article; and (g) cooling the hot fused article to form a glazed ceramic article. The particulate mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has: (i) a d50 particle size from 10 ?m to 30 ?m; (ii) a d70 particle size of less than 40 ?m; and (iii) a d98 particle size of less than 60 ?m. Steps (c) and (f), and optionally steps (d) and (e) are continuous process steps.

Abstract: A ceramic and a method of forming a ceramic including milling steel slag exhibiting a diameter of 5 mm of less to form powder, sieving the powder to retain the powder having a particle size in the range of 20 to 400 removing free iron from the powder with a magnet, heat treating the powder at a temperature in the range of 700° C. to 1200° C. for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 10 hours and oxidizing retained iron in the powder, compacting the powder at a compression pressure in the range of 20 MPa to 300 MPA, and sintering the powder at a temperature in the range of 700° C. to 1400° C. for a time period in the range of 0.5 hours to 4 hours to provide a ceramic.

Abstract: A process for preparing roofing granules includes forming kaolin clay into green granules and sintering the green granules at a temperature of at least 900 degrees Celsius to cure the green granules until the crystalline content of the sintered granules is at least ten percent as determined by x-ray diffraction.

Abstract: A particulate mixture, suitable for use in ceramic article production, wherein the mixture includes from 30 wt % to 80 wt % recycled aluminium silicate material. The particulate mixture has a particle size distribution such that: (i) the d50 particle size is from 10 ?m to 30 ?m; (ii) the d70 particle size is less than 40 ?m; and (iii) the d98 particle size is less than 60 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel or a wall panel configured for forming a floor or wall covering, the panel comprising at least one core layer, the core layer comprising at least one pair of opposite side edges which are provided with complementary coupling parts configured for interconnecting adjacent panels, the core layer comprising an upper core surface and a bottom core surface, and at least one ceramic tile, the ceramic tile comprising an upper surface and a bottom surface and the panel further comprising at least one further layer.

Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a manufacturing process of artificial pozzolan which has the final color gray. In order to perform the processes in the desired way, the kiln atmosphere shall contain low oxygen concentration and the presence of reducing agents. However the presence of carbon monoxide at the kiln outlet is not desirable, due to environmental impacts and the increase in specific heat consumption of the kiln. So the process described in this invention comprises the following steps: heating (1), which consists of heating the raw materials to a temperature between 100-350° C. until drying of the material to a moisture mass fraction of 0-5% (wet basis); mixing (2), which consists of mixing the dry raw materials from the heating process with the right proportion of fuel, in from 1% to 5% in mass fraction, according to the concentration of hematite present in the raw material; calcining (3), which consists of heating the fuel and raw materials blend to a temperature between 700-900° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel or a wall panel configured for forming a floor or wall covering, the panel comprising at least one core layer, the core layer comprising at least one pair of opposite side edges which are provided with complementary coupling parts configured for interconnecting adjacent panels, the core layer comprising an upper core surface and a bottom core surface, and at least one ceramic tile, the ceramic tile comprising an upper surface and a bottom surface and the panel further comprising at least one further layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabricating lightweight ceramic sand as a building and construction material. More specifically it relates to a novel process of manufacturing sintered synthetic lightweight ceramic sand particulates directly from pond ash and fly ash as a secondary raw material. The said synthetic lightweight ceramic sand can be used as a building material. The novel feature of the invention is to manufacture low cost lightweight sand at high throughput to compete against the fast depleting natural sand and crushed stones.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a process for manufacturing, conditioning and stabilization of a family of base additives sodium, potassium, boron, silicon, zinc, calcium oxides, among others, prepared by physicochemical and chemical synthesis methods that form nanometric structures, reformulated with deflocculant, sequestrants and dispersants additives that allow to obtain a dispersion or powder capable to decrease the sintering temperature of a ceramic body due to the high fluxing power, which is maximized by the use of nanotechnology in the structures obtained. The process consists in the preparation of nucleation seeds of metal, silicates and carbonates oxides by means of a physicochemical process, and which allow nanometric structures to grow by means of a chemical process in a chemical synthesis process wet basis of sodium, boron, silicon, zinc, potassium and calcium oxides.

Abstract: An example method includes disposing a carrier in a borehole in an earth formation. The carrier includes a logging assembly for performing a formation evaluation of the earth formation using a sensor in proximity to a borehole wall of the borehole, fluid being disposed at least partially between the sensor and the borehole wall. The method further includes estimating an apparent dielectric loss angle of the fluid to determine a stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes estimating a formation dielectric loss angle and determining a formation resistance based at least in part on the formation dielectric loss angle. The method further includes adjusting the formation evaluation based at least in part on the estimated formation resistance that accounts for the stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes performing a wellbore operation based at least in part on the adjusted formation evaluation.

Abstract: Methods of forming a polycrystalline compact using at least one metal salt as a sintering aid. Such methods may include forming a mixture of the at least one metal salt and a plurality of grains of hard material and sintering the mixture to form a hard polycrystalline material. During sintering, the metal salt may melt or react with another compound to form a liquid that acts as a lubricant to promote rearrangement and packing of the grains of hard material. The metal salt may, thus, enable formation of hard polycrystalline material having increased density, abrasion resistance, or strength. The metal salt may also act as a getter to remove impurities (e.g., catalyst material) during sintering. The methods may also be employed to form cutting elements and earth-boring tools.

Abstract: The honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb structure part having porous partition walls, and porous plugged portions, and when there is drawn a straight line as an inner boundary line which is positioned at a distance of 30% of a distance between an outer end surface and an inner end surface, from the inner end surface, and there is drawn a straight line as an outer boundary line which is positioned at a distance of 70% of the distance between the outer end surface and the inner end surface, from the inner end surface, each of the plugged portions has an outer region, and an inner region which is the region between the inner end surface and the inner boundary line and whose porosity is larger than a porosity of the outer region.

Abstract: A process of treating a gas stream containing mercury is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a technique to manufacture a honeycomb structure reducing a width of dimensional difference generated during firing between an end part and a central part and having excellent thermal shock resistance, and the method includes: a honeycomb formed body preparing step of extruding a kneaded material including a cordierite forming raw material A, to prepare a formed body; a plugged honeycomb formed body preparing step of filling cell openings thereof with a plugging material which includes a forming raw material containing a cordierite forming raw material B and resin balloon of 1.0 to 15 mass % and has a difference in firing shrinkage rate of ?1.0 to +2.0% from the formed body, to prepare a plugged formed body; and a honeycomb structure preparing step of firing the prepared plugged formed body, to prepare a honeycomb structure provided with porous plugged portions.

Abstract: The method for producing a fired body of the invention has the steps of: preparing a starting material mixture; molding the mixture to obtain a green molded body; a first heating step to make the molded body contain residual carbon-containing substances in a furnace by increasing the temperature of the furnace while introducing an oxygen containing gas; and a second heating step to obtain a fired body by further increasing the temperature of the furnace without introducing the oxygen containing gas; wherein the conditions for the first heating step are set so that when the molded body is allowed to stand after the first heating step in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at 900° C., the temperature at the center section of the molded body is at least 20° C. higher than the temperature of the atmosphere in the furnace.

Abstract: Hemostatic compositions comprising a wet layered clay (e.g., wet kaolin) and, optionally, a zeolite, as well as devices and methods of use to promote blood clotting, are provided.

Abstract: A computational method is provided for predicting roadway failure due to degradation of the roadway over time as a function of the input loads, the roadway geometry, the material properties of the constituents in the asphaltic pavement, the shape, distribution, orientation and volume fractions of the constituents, and environmental conditions. The unique and new feature of the method is that it employs several physically based predictive methodologies simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, which comprises a particulate mixture of: (i) 25 to 80% calcined clay; (ii) 5 to 70% fluxing component; and (iii) 5 to 70% filler component.

Abstract: The invention provides a ceramic green sheet having plasticity, punching property, and sinterability of satisfactory levels as well as a low percent (heat) shrinkage. In the production of a ceramic slurry serving as a raw material of the sheet, ingredients thereof are mixed under such conditions that the functional group ratio (polyol to isocyanate) is 1.5/11.5 to 11.5/11.5; the urethane resin formed from isocyanate and polyol has a repeating-unit-based molecular weight of 290 to 988; and the ratio by weight of the urethane resin to a ceramic powder falls within a range of 4.5 to 10 parts by weight of the urethane resin with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ceramic powder. A ceramic green sheet having, in well balance, all of the properties (i.e., plasticity, punching property, sinterability, and (heat) shrinkage) required for facilitating subsequent processes such as mechanical working and firing can be provided.

Abstract: A method of making disposable adobe dinnerware articles includes providing extracted clay with inclusions removed, preparing the clay to a predetermined consistency, and combining the clay with a filler to create an adobe mixture. The method can also include adding an additive, testing the humidity level of the adobe mixture and adjusting the humidity of the adobe mixture when the humidity is not within a predetermined humidity range, and preheating a mold. The method can also include adding the adobe mixture to the mold, and pressing the adobe mixture in the mold and heating the mold in a series of production stages to form a molded adobe tableware product.

Abstract: A method for producing a clinker substitute for use in cement production includes predrying clay with an iron content >1.5 wt-% in a form of iron oxides and a kaolinite content <40 wt-% to a moisture <10 wt-%. The clay is comminuted to a grain size <2 mm. The clay is calcined by thermal treatment in a furnace at a temperature of 600 to 1000° C. The clay is thermally treated under reducing conditions at a temperature of 600 to 1000° C. so as to form a reduction product. The reduction product is intermediately cooled to a temperature <300° C. and finally cooled.

Abstract: A porous ceramic for which any decrease in water permeability can be suppressed over a long period of time. A porous ceramic is composed of a porous ceramic sintered body produced by molding and sintering a mixture containing a clay, wherein a surface portion of the porous ceramic sintered body has been removed by grinding. The mixture preferably contains a foaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base material for disk rolls which is a platy molded article for obtaining ring-shaped disks for use in a disk roll comprising a rotating shaft and ring-shaped disks fitted thereon by insertion, whereby the peripheral surface of the disks serves as a conveying surface, the base material comprising inorganic fibers having a crystallization temperature of 800-900° C., a filler, and a clay. Also disclosed is a disk roll which comprises disks cut out of the base material.

Abstract: A base material for a disk roll including ceramic fibers, an inorganic binder and scaly silica.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is greater than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in reduced shrinkage of green ware during the clay dehydroxylation stage of firing.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is less than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in fired ceramic articles with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and improved thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: A containment element for a pressure containment assembly, comprising mullite or a polymorph of mullite.

Abstract: Hemostatic compositions comprising a wet layered clay (e.g., wet kaolin) and, optionally, a zeolite, as well as devices and methods of use to promote blood clotting, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming ceramic articles that contain a high percentage of recycled alumina silicate in their composition. The fabrication process includes a fusing of the base material forming a reticulated network that is in-filled with a melted additive composition. The base material gives the article dimensional stability and strength while the additive composition gives the article water resistance and toughness In this invention, an additive powder with an engineered melting temperature is added to the recycled base material. The mixture is heated until the recycled aluminosilicate reaches the optimal fusing temperature. Heating is continued until the additive begins to melt filling the voids between the fused aluminosilicates particles. The article is then rapidly cooled to quench the fusing without cracking.

Abstract: The ceramic clay is provided by kneading a forming raw material containing a ceramic forming material. The forming raw material contains, in addition to the ceramic forming material, a layered double hydroxide represented by a predetermined chemical formula in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 mass % based on the total amount of the layered double hydroxide and the ceramic forming material. The layered double hydroxide turns into a gel when dispersed in water, and when the layered double hydroxide is dispersed in water at a concentration of 6 mass %, the layered double hydroxide has a viscosity of from 1000 to 20000 mPa·s.

Abstract: An oxide-ceramic forming clay comprising an oxide-ceramic forming material, a layered double hydroxide, a pore-forming agent, and water, wherein the amount of the pore-forming agent is between 3 and 50 parts by mass by superaddition to 100 parts by mass of a sum of the oxide-ceramic forming material and the layered double hydroxide and a sum of the pore-forming agent and an organic binder is between 5 and 55 parts by mass also by superaddition which has environment-friendly characteristics in a forming firing step, and usage thereof.

Abstract: Sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material and a metal oxide sintering aid. The alumina-containing raw material contains from about 40% to about 55% alumina. Methods for using such sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is less than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in fired ceramic articles with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and improved thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: A method for producing a domestic appliance plate from a starting mixture. In order to provide a domestic appliance plate having a high resistance to thermal shock, good thermal insulation, and advantageous mechanical properties, at least magnesium silicate hydrate, kaolinite, calcined kaolinite, and aluminum oxide are used for the starting mixture.

Abstract: A composition useful as an additive for asphalt mixes, such as stone matrix asphalt and porous asphalt, comprising the mineral porcelanite and either an activating agent or amorphous silica, and asphalt mixes comprising the composition. The asphalt mixes are stable and meet performance requirements according to national standards. The asphalt mixes require less bitumen than fiber-stabilized mixes, and can be mixed for less time at a lower temperature. The asphalt mixes comprising the inventive composition are thus more economical and environmentally friendly than existing asphalt mixes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, which comprises a particulate mixture of: (i) 25 to 80% calcined clay; (ii) 5 to 70% fluxing component; and (iii) 5 to 70% filler component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a theology modifier for ceramic glazes comprising a water-swellable granulated clay, a carboxymethyl cellulose and possibly another natural gum. In another aspect the invention relates to the ceramic glaze and the glaze slip obtained using the above rheology modifier, which can be used for glazing green or fired ceramic bodies such as artware, tableware, tile, heavy clays products and sanitaryware.

Abstract: A method of making disposable adobe dinnerware articles includes providing extracted clay with inclusions removed, preparing the clay to a predetermined consistency, and combining the clay with a filler to create an adobe mixture. The method can also include adding an additive, testing the humidity level of the adobe mixture and adjusting the humidity of the adobe mixture when the humidity is not within a predetermined humidity range, and preheating a mold. The method can also include adding the adobe mixture to the mold, and pressing the adobe mixture in the mold and heating the mold in a series of production stages to form a molded adobe tableware product.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is greater than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in reduced shrinkage of green ware during the clay dehydroxylation stage of firing.

Abstract: A roofing article comprising (i) an asphaltic substrate; and (ii) a plurality of granules disposed on a surface of the substrate, said granules including calcined kaolin that has been calcined at a temperature of at least 1000° C. and less than 1300° C.

Abstract: An optical filter containing at least a clay mineral complex (A). The clay mineral complex (A) comprises a layered clay mineral (B) intercalated with a dye cation (C), and an organic cation (D).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to printing mediums, useful for ceramic sinterable materials, that are in powder form and are based on glycols, urea and an inorganic absorbent, to ceramic inks compositions comprising the printing mediums and to methods for decorating green or fired ceramic bodies by the use of said printing mediums and compositions.

Abstract: A blend of ball clays for use as the ball clay component of a slip to produce a ceramic sanitary ware item by a slip casting process. The clay blend including 20-50 percent of a fine-grained ball clay with a low carbon content and 45-55 percent of its particles having a size less than 0.5 microns and about 85-95 percent of the particles less than about 20 microns.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated particles comprising a core material and a shell and wherein said core material is an organic compound and wherein said shell comprises a layered double hydroxide comprising a hydroxide or an organic anion as charge-balancing anion.

Abstract: A cement mixture suitable for use with ceramic honeycomb bodies, such as for forming an outer layer on the outer periphery of the honeycomb body, or for forming plugs in the honeycomb body. The cement mixture, when fired, preferably exhibits low coefficient of thermal expansion and high strength. The cement mixture can be applied to a green honeycomb body and simultaneously fired with the green body or can be applied to an already fired ceramic honeycomb body and then fired. Includes cement mixture comprising a plurality of inorganic components comprising talc, kaolin, alumina, silica, and aluminum hydroxide, wherein the mixture contains less than or equal to 18.0% silica and greater than or equal to 17.0% aluminum hydroxide, in percent by weight of the inorganic components.