Abstract: A method is provided for forming an antibacterial layer containing a metal-modified apatite. First, an apatite-containing liquid is prepared, which contains both an inorganic coating agent and 0.01˜5 wt % of metal-modified apatite powder. Then, the apatite-containing liquid is applied to an object. The applied liquid is dried and hardened to form the desired antibacterial layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crystalline composition, a poly-crystalline product and an article of manufacture comprising an amount of SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, TiO2, K2O, P2O5, Cr2O3, ZnO, MgO, Na2O, Li2O, CeO2, ZrO2 and MnO2 and methods for preparation the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass used as a sintering aid for a resorbable moulded body containing calcium phosphate as well as to a method for manufacturing said moulded body. According to the invention, the material is &bgr;-tricalcium phosphate and the glass has a chemical composition of 68-78% by weight SiO2, 5-12% by weight MgO and 12-27% by weight Na2O. The aforesaid moulded body is manufactured by melting said glass, grinding it until a grain size D50 of 0.7-2 &mgr;m is achieved and mixing it with &bgr;-tricalcium phosphate having a grain size D50 of 1-7.5 &mgr;m, giving the mixture the desired shape and producing the moulded body by sintering said mixture at between 1,150 and 1,350° C., wherein the grain size of &bgr;-TCP must not be smaller than that of the glass.

Abstract: The invention is intended to introduce cells easily into a ceramics for in vivo use. Also, the invention provides a ceramics for in vivo use which has a good affinity to a living body and no harmful action on a living body. The invention relates to a porous ceramics having many almost globular pores and made of a component comprising a calcium phosphate type. These pores are brought into contact and communicated with each other to thereby exhibit permeability. The permeability was designed to be 150 centidarcy or more and 8000 centidarcy or less.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a sintered piece comprises preparing a molded piece of a composite including calcium phosphate compound such as hydroxyapatite, and baking the molded piece in an oxygen atmosphere to obtain the sintered piece. The oxygen concentration of the oxygen atmosphere is controlled to be not less than 25 vol %, and the relative humidity of the oxygen atmosphere is controlled to be below 30% RH. The baking is performed for 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature not less than 1000° C. and below a temperature at which thermal decomposition of the calcium phosphate occurs.

Abstract: The rod-shaped apatite crystals of the formula Ca5(PO4)3(OH)xFy have the following features

Abstract: A method for controlling organisms which comprises growing, decreasing, activating or inactivating cells, bacteria, viruses or fungi at an N-surface or a P-surface of a ceramic which is formed by treating the ceramic by polarization; and a material for controlling organisms, a method for selective adsorption of proteins, a material for selective adsorption of proteins, a cement material for filling bones and dental applications and a biomaterial, in which the ceramic treated by polarization is utilized. By utilizing difference in properties among surfaces of the ceramic treated by polarization, growth, decrease, activation or inactivation of organisms such as cells, bacteria, viruses or fungi can be controlled. Therefore, the above methods and materials are useful in the medical, dental and biochemical areas.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an antibacterial layer containing a metal-modified apatite. First, an apatite-containing liquid is prepared, which contains both an inorganic coating agent and 0.01˜5 wt % of metal-modified apatite powder. Then, the apatite-containing liquid is applied to an object. The applied liquid is dried and hardened to form the desired antibacterial layer.

Abstract: The invention refers to a material which is chemically long-term stable in a neutral or slightly acid environment and which can be used both as bioactive bone replacement material, e.g. in the form of a coating applied onto metallic prosthesis sticks by thermal spraying, and as substrate material in biotechnology, e.g. in the form of a ceramic sheet. According to the invention, said material comprises 15-45% by weight CaO, 40-45% by weight P2O5, 10-40% by weight ZrO2 and fluoride, said material further comprises two crystalline phases being apatite and calcium zirconium phosphate, and a secondary glass phase. Said material has a very high chemical long-term stability, compared to known materials which can also be produced by means of a melting process.

Abstract: A ceramic composition having at least one nanometric ceramic powder, at least one lower saccharide, and water. The composition is useful in many industrial applications, including preparation of stronger and substantially defect-free green and sintered ceramic bodies.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a ceramic material comprises the steps of preparing a melt of the ceramic materials, cooling the melt slowly through the freezing point of the material to initiate solidification, holding the melt at a temperature below the freezing point of the material whilst solidification progresses and characterised in that during solidification an ultrasonic field is applied to the melt. The melt composition may be selected to include an excess of one or more ceramic materials so as to produce a second phase dispersed in the solidified product during solidification. Also claimed is a ceramic material produced by the method described. The ceramic material may be a superconductor.

Abstract: The invention concerns microgranules produced from calcium phosphate materials. The invention also concerns a method for producing said microgranules. The inventive microgranules are characterized by a very narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: A bioactive biphasic ceramic composition combining apatite and wollastonite is disclosed, in order to solve the defect of apatite ceramic that has poor bioactivity though it is excellent in biocompatibility, which has improved bioactivity, as compared to monophasic ceramics of apatite or wollastonite. The ceramic composition is produced by steps of: providing a composition including powders of apatite of formula Ca10(PO4)6X, in which X is any one of O, (OH)2, CO3, F2 and Cl2, and wollastonite (CaSiO3) in a weight ratio of 5:95 to 90:10, forming the composition into a desired body by press or forming the composition into a porous body, and sintering the formed body.

Abstract: A biodegradable ceramic for medical use is disclosed, which comprises calcium hydrogenphosphate (CaHPO4) modified by organic molecules. The organic molecule mentioned above is hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), which is grafted to the calcium hydrogenphosphate through covalent bond. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the biodegradable ceramics. In addition, the biodegradable ceramic can be used for repair of bone defects. Therefore, the present invention further relates to a method and a device for repair of bone defects, and to a delivery system for the medicine of repair of bone defects.

Abstract: A tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) particle for use in preparing a fast-setting, bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement is disclosed. The TTCP particle has a basic calcium phosphate whiskers or fine crystals on a surface thereof; the basic calcium phosphate whiskers or fine crystals having a Ca/P molar ratio greater than 1.33, and having a length up to about 5000 nm and a width up to about 500 nm.

Abstract: A kit and a method for making a porous cement which self sets to hydroxyapatite and has an interconnected porosity is produced by mixing a calcium source and a phosphate source with a carbonate source and mixing this powdered component with a liquid component having an acid component. The liquid component comprises water or an aqueous solution containing an acid. The acid and the carbonate react to form carbon dioxide thereby producing an interconnected porosity in the normally solid self-hardening bone cement. The method requires only a relatively low weight percent of the acid and base to be mixed with the liquid and powder cement components.

Abstract: A ceramic carrier and ceramic catalyst body used as NOx purification catalysts for lean burn engines, which are inexpensive, exhibit high temperature durability and can maintain their catalytic function for extended periods. The ceramic carrier has a diffusion-inhibiting layer formed on the surface of a cordierite honeycomb structure, to inhibit diffusion of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, etc. carried as NOx storage materials. The diffusion-inhibiting layer is composed of a ceramic material such as Y2O3, NiO or CeO2 which does not react with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals at temperatures of up to 1000° C. and has a melting point of higher than 1000° C., and the diffusion-inhibiting layer inhibits diffusion of catalyst components such as potassium into the interior to prevent their reaction with cordierite, so that the durability is greatly enhanced without reducing catalytic performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental ceramic comprising a sintered body that has a share of more than 90% by weight hydroxylapatite (HA; Ca5(PO4)3OH). The ceramic is easy to produce and highly stable, and in addition offers a natural-looking appearance if the sintered body is anisotropic.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a sintered piece comprises preparing a molded piece of a composite including calcium phosphate compound such as hydroxyapatite, and baking the molded piece in an oxygen atmosphere to obtain the sintered piece. The oxygen concentration of the oxygen atmosphere is controlled to be not less than 25 vol %, and the relative humidity of the oxygen atmosphere is controlled to be below 30%RH. The baking is performed for 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature not less than 1000° C. and below a temperature at which thermal decomposition of the calcium phosphate occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass ionomer for enhancing mineralization of hard tissue of mammals. The glass ionomer comprises, a inert biocompatible ceramic and a bioactive ceramic. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing mineralization of hard tissue of mammals with the aid of said glass ionomer. The invention further relates to the use of said glass ionomer for the preparation of products intended for treatment of defects of soft and hard tissue as well as the use of said glass ionomer for the preparation of a variety of products wherein the ability to enhance mineralization is advantageous.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition includes sintered ceramic grains having a core-shell structure, wherein 50%˜80% of the grains have a domain width of twin smaller than 20 nm; not greater than 30% of the grains have a domain width of twin in the range from 20 nm to 50 nm; not smaller than 10% of the grains have a domain width of twin greater than 50 nm or have no twin.

Abstract: When a sintered body of ceramic is shot-blasted at normal temperatures to plastically deform the crystal structure of the shot-blasted surface to apply residual stress and is heat-treated to recrystallize fine cracks, dislocated cells in the grain boundary are formed, crystals are finely divided, and the fracture toughness is significantly improved. When the sintered body of ceramic is a thin product, an effective toughening can be attained by shot blasting both the front and back sides. After heat treatment, mechanical strength is significantly improved by removing a part of the modified surface layer by an abrasion treatment.

Abstract: A ceramic paste composition containing a liquid carrier, ceramic particles, a binder and a dispersant additionally contains a cushioning agent so that it may be extruded at a low extrusion pressure, i.e. below about 0.04 MPa. The cushioning agent is in the form of particles which have a bulk modulus of elasticity of from about 0.1 MPa to about 4 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic biomaterial compound based on stabilized calcium phosphates and more particularly to the molecular, structural and physical characterization of this compound. The compound comprises calcium, oxygen and phosphorous, wherein at least one of the elements is substituted with an element having an ionic radius of approximately 0.1 to 1.1 Å. The knowledge of the specific molecular and chemical properties of the compound allows for the development of several uses of the compound in various bone-related clinical conditions.

Abstract: A new method for combining magnesium oxide, MgO, and magnesium dihydrogen phosphate to form an inexpensive compactible ceramic to stabilize very low solubility metal oxides, ashes, swarfs, and other iron or metal-based additives, to create products and waste forms which can be poured or dye cast, and to reinforce and strengthen the ceramics formed by the addition of fibers to the initial ceramic mixture.

Abstract: The invention is intended to introduce cells easily into a ceramics for in vivo use. Also, the invention provides a ceramics for in vivo use which has a good affinity to a living body and no harmful action on a living body. The invention relates to a porous ceramics having many almost globular pores 1 and made of a component comprising a calcium phosphate type. These pores 1 are brought into contact and communicated with each other to thereby exhibit permeability. The permeability was designed to be 150 centidarcy or more and 8000 centidarcy or less.

Abstract: A mother glass for producing a glass adapted for laser processing utilizing abrasion or evaporation by absorbed laser energy, includes: a silicate glass as a main component; and aluminum and at least one alkali metal in substantially the same molar amount.

Abstract: To provide an optically transparent film containing 0.01 to 20% by weight glass forming oxide consisting of Nb2O5, V2O5, B2O3, SiO2, and P2O6; 0.01 to 20% by weight Al2O3 or Ga2O3; and 0.01 to 5% by weight hard oxide of ZrO2 and TiO2 as required; balance being ZnO, and a sputtering target for forming such a film. This sputtering target reduces occurrence of particles during sputtering, decreases the number of interruption or discontinuance of sputtering to improve production efficiency, and forms a protective film for optical disks with large transmittance and low reflectance.

Abstract: A composite crucible for pulling up monocrystalline silicone, which is superior in shape stability and suitable for a large-sized one is provided. The composite crucible is characterized in that a carbonaceous material as an outer layer and a quartz glass as an inner layer are integrally formed.

Abstract: Using as a negative thermal expansion material a double oxide containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: RQ2O8 (wherein R is Zr, Hf or a tetravalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of these, and Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo), and using as a positive thermal expansion material a material containing at least partly a compound represented by the chemical formula: MQX4 (wherein M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra or a divalent metallic element represented by a mixture system of any of these, Q is a hexavalent metallic element selected from W and Mo, and X is an element selected from O and S), these are mixed preferably in a weight ratio of 1:1 and are synthesized to obtain a material whose coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero over a wide temperature range, i.e., a zero thermal expansion material. Using this zero thermal expansion material, high-precision and high-performance practical component parts can be obtained.

Abstract: A ceramics dispersion liquid is provided. The dispersion liquid may form an applied film easily recovering hydrophilic properties with light irradiation even when contaminated by lipophilic materials. The ceramics dispersion liquid comprises a ceramics, a dispersion medium, and at least one compound selected from a carboxylic acid, an ammonium carboxylate, a salt of carboxylic acid with metal selected from Ia group, IIa group, IIIa group, Va group, VIa group, VIIa group, VIII group, Ib group, IIb group, IIIb group, IVb group and lanthanoid group, and a salt of oxalic acid with metal selected from IVa group.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic slurry used for fabricating a ceramic electronic component includes a mixing and pulverizing step for mixing and pulverizing a ceramic powder having an average particle size of about 0.01 to 1 &mgr;m, a solvent and a dispersant by a dispersion process using a pulverizing medium, such as balls or beads, to obtain a mixed and pulverized slurry; and a high pressure dispersion step for performing high pressure dispersion at a pressure of about 100 kg/cm2 or more after a filtered binder solution is added to the mixed and pulverized slurry to obtain a dispersed slurry (final dispersed slurry), the filtered binder solution being prepared by dissolving a binder in a solvent, followed by filtration. A method for forming a ceramic green sheet and a method for fabricating a monolithic ceramic electronic component using the ceramic slurry are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastically deformable aqueous ceramic slurry wherein the ceramic particles have on the surfaces thereof a closely-packed anionic surfactant bilayer or an anionic/nonionic surfactant bilayer. Such slurries are produced by: a) dispersing an amount of ceramic particles in an amount of water to form an aqueous ceramic slurry; b) adding an amount of an anionic surfactant or a mixture of an anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant to such slurry; c) adjusting the pH value of such slurry to adsorb on the ceramic particle surfaces a closely-packed anionic surfactant bilayer or anionic/nonionic surfactant bilayer. Preferably a mixture of surfactants is used, with a mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants being highly preferred. Examples of preferred combinations are mixtures of the anionic surfactant SDS and a nonionic surfactant selected from octylphenol polyether alcohols (OPE), in particular C8H15Ph(EO)Rwherein R was 3, 5, 9.5 and 12.5.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing mixed oxide nanoparticles uses thermophilic bacteria cultured with suitable reducible metals in the presence of an electron donor to reduce at least one metal to form mixed oxide nanoparticles. The mixed oxide nanoparticles can have a magnetism greater than magnetite, such as a line width (&Dgr;H) of at least 2,200 Gauss. The magnetic nanoparticles can be used to form improved magnetorheological media, magnetic storage, dry printing and magnetic devices.

Abstract: Acicular bodies of a metal compound are produced by slowly precipitating an organic salt of the metal from a solution of an ester of a dicarboxylic acid having 1-5 carbon atoms and firing the precipitate in an oxidizing atmosphere. These acicular bodies have a cross-sectional dimension less than about 20 &mgr;m and are useful for providing reinforcement of a larger ceramic body. Acicular bodies of rare-earth metal oxides also are useful in reinforcing x-ray scintillator bodies without diminishing their luminescent capacity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a powdered raw material of a basic powdered dielectric ceramic composition having compounds containing metal elements thereon. The method comprises the steps of dispersing a basic powdered dielectric ceramic composition in water to form a slurry, adding a silicon compound to the slurry to coat the powder, adding a solution containing the metal elements and a precipitating agent reactive therewith to form a precipitate, while the slurry is being stirred, and rinsing and drying the slurry.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel process of preparing chemically bonded composite hydroxide ceramics by exposing a thermally treated hydroxide ceramic to phosphate reagent and subsequent heat treating the resulting system to initiate a rapid chemical bonding reaction. Such combined hydroxide/chemical bonding process can be used to fabricate ceramics or ceramic coatings for a variety of high and low temperature applications, including corrosion protection, wear resistance, dielectric properties, metal reinforced ceramics, ceramic membranes, non-sticky surfaces, bio-active ceramics, thermal barrier ceramics, non-wetted surfaces, and others.

Abstract: The cement for surgical purposes includes three components. The first component includes beta tertiary calciumphosphate &bgr;-Ca3(PO4)2(&bgr;-TCP) particles; and monocalcium phosphate Ca(H2PO4)2(MCPA) or monocalcium phosphate monohydrate Ca(H2PO4).H2O (MCPM) particles or phosphoric acid. The second component includes water. The third component includes particles having an average diameter which is larger than the average diameter of the beta tertiary calciumphosphate &bgr;-Ca3(PO4)2(&bgr;-TCP) particles of the first component. Upon mixing of the three components a hardened mass comprising brushite CaHPO4.2H2O (DCPD) is formed. The &bgr;-TCP particles have a specific surface area of less than 10,000 m2/g and a Ca/P atomic ratio different from 1.50. The component constitutes 1 to 99 volume-percent of the hardened mass.

Abstract: A lamellar sodium-cobalt-manganese oxide represented by the general formula NaxCoyMn1−yO2 (where 0.6≦x≦0.8, 0.4≦y≦0.6) is disclosed, which is obtained by the steps of: mixing a sodium salt, a cobalt salt and a manganese salt in an aqueous solution state so as to be a molar ratio of sodium, cobalt and manganese of x: y: 1−y (where 0.6≦x≦0.8, 0.4≦y≦0.6) and drying the obtained mixture, sintering the obtained dried body in an oxygen-containing gas at 700 to 900° C., and quenching the sintered body from a temperature between 700° C. and 800° C. The lamellar sodium-cobalt manganese oxide of the present invention has a uniform composition and a single crystal structure, which is useful as an electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: Flexible ceramic sheets with enhanced strain tolerance for electrochemical applications such as solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes incorporate a surface indentation pattern providing a strain tolerance of not less than 0.5% in any direction in the sheet plane, being made from flexible green ceramic sheet comprising a ceramic powder and a thermoplastic organic binder by heating and reshaping the green sheet to form a multidirectional surface corrugation pattern therein, followed by firing to sinter the ceramic powder to a flexible ceramic sheet having a multi-directional surface corrugation pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing oriented sintered ceramic product which enables to manufacture an oriented sintered product with an average crystal grain size of 20 &mgr;m or less and a grain width 0.4 times or less of the grain size, or an oriented sintered product with an average crystal grain size of 20 &mgr;m or more and a grain width 0.5 times or more of the grain size with no grain growth of plate-like seed crystals, the method comprising dispersing a non-ferromagnetic powder having a not-cubic crystal structure into a slurry, consolidating the slurry under a magnetic field and sintering the molding product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered ceramic composite implant material and a fabrication method thereof. A sintered ceramic composite implant material includes an apatite matrix phase, a ceramic secondary phase located in the apatite matrix phase, a barrier layer coating the ceramic secondary phase. The secondary phase compensates for and improves the mechanical properties of the apatite matrix phase and the barrier layer restrains an interfacial reaction between the apatite matrix phase and the secondary phase.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate porous sintered body which comprises spherical pores communicating with one another substantially throughout the body with a porosity of 55% or more and 90% or less, and has an average diameter of the inter-pore communicating parts of 50 &mgr;m or more, a pore diameter of 150 &mgr;m or more, and a three-point bending strength of 5 MPa or more, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP is primarily composed of 30-60 wt % &agr;-tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2, &agr;-TCP) and 40-70 wt % of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP). The biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP of the present invention is superior since it can set rapidly while soaking in a water solution. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP, in which the composition of the biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP can be controlled.

Abstract: A ceramic granule, obtained by granulating at least one ceramic particle into a granule together with a binder, optionally classifying the ceramic granule to remove fine particle having a particle size of not more than 10 &mgr;m, moistening the granulated ceramic granule in an agitation fluidized bed under the conditions of not aggregating said ceramic granule and regulating the water content of the moistened ceramic granule by fluidizing and drying the moistened ceramic granule in the agitation fluidized bed in such a manner that the resultant granule has a water content within the range which maintains a flowability sufficient for packing the ceramic granule in a mold in which the ceramic granule exhibits well-balanced properties of a crushing property at a low pressure and an anti-collapse property, excels in flowability, packing property into a mold, and anti-sticking property, and has a well-balanced properties of a crushing property at a low pressure and an anti-collapse property.

Abstract: A strong, porous article useful as a bone substitute material. The article comprises a continuous strong framework structure having struts defining interstices which interconnect throughout the bulk volume, and may have ceramic or osteoconductive material occupying at least a portion of the same bulk volume as the framework structure. Either as a coating on the strong framework struts or between the framework struts and the ceramic or osteoconductive-osteoinductive materials is a resilient material which serves to distribute stresses within the article.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic gradient material, in particular for a thermal shield or a gas turbine blade, includes a metal base material, a ceramic and an additive for high-temperature oxidation protection. The metal base material has a concentration decreasing from a metal-rich zone into a ceramic-rich zone. The additive has a concentration with a concentration gradient. The concentration of the additive has a maximum. A product made from a metal-ceramic gradient material and a process for producing a metal-ceramic gradient material are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic biomaterial compound based on stabilized calcium phosphates and more particularly to the molecular, structural and physical characterization of this compound. The compound comprises calcium, oxygen and phosphorous, wherein at least one of the elements is substituted with an element having an ionic radius of approximately 0.1 to 1.1 Å. The knowledge of the specific molecular and chemical properties of the compound allows for the development of several uses of the compound in various bone-related clinical conditions.

Abstract: Ceramic monoliths are described which exhibit tunable coefficients of thermal expansion from about −5 to −11×10−6° C.−1 near ambient temperatures. These two-phase ceramics, which are fabricated, for example, by reactive sintering of WO3 and ZrO2, consists of a matrix of ZrW2O8 with inclusions of ZrO2 having diameters less than 10 &mgr;m. Additives may increase the density of the monoliths to greater than 98% of the calculated density. Green body densities, pre-sintered particle size distribution, sintering atmosphere, microstructure, and mechanical properties are discussed. These ceramics may be used as substrates for thermally compensating fiber Bragg gratings.

Abstract: Composition whereby ceramic manufactured articles, obtained by moulding a conventional ceramic mixture without added TiO2., are colored from yellow to orange, said composition consisting of an aqueous solution of inorganic compounds or organic complexes of titanium and chromium combined with antimony or tungsten or mixtures thereof, in quantities corresponding to 2 to 6% by wt. Ti, 3 to 12% Sb (or 4 to 14% tungsten) and 0.2 to 2.5% chromium.