Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide hollow glass microspheres having particle properties of a low particle density and grain size properties of a sharp grain size distribution, having a high homogeneity and having such strength that they are less likely to fracture during processing. In the present invention, a glass material containing a foaming agent and containing B2O3 in an amount of from 9 to 20%, is subjected to wet grinding to obtain a slurry having an average particle size of at most 3 &mgr;m, droplets thereof are heated, to obtain hollow glass microspheres having an average particle size of at most 15 &mgr;m, a maximum particle size of at most 45 &mgr;m, a particle density of at most 0.5 g/cm3 and a grain size gradient of at most 2.

Abstract: A method for preparing a plasma or serum sample from a whole blood sample, by contacting a glass fiber filter which contains calcium, sodium or potassium components with an aqueous solution of an organic acid or a mineral acid to elute the calcium, sodium and potassium components in the glass fiber filter into the aqueous solution, separating the aqueous solution from the filter and washing the glass fiber filter with water to remove any residual aqueous solution adhered thereto and then filtering a whole blood sample through the thus treated fiber filter.

Abstract: In-situ formation of a series of glass-ceramic composites by the Self-propagating High temperature Synthesis (SHS) technique. Advantages include processing simplicity and cost savings. The materials processed by the technique either have a pure glassy matrix (Al2O3—B2O3—MgO) or a glass matrix with partial devitrification, and crystalline TiB2 particles having a size of about 0.5 &mgr;m. The material can be prepared either in inert atmosphere inside a reaction chamber or in air without a chamber. The materials exhibit relatively high porosity and good strength and can be used as filters, thermal insulation materials or in other similar applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to the catalytic activity and selectivity of microporous, amorphous glasses of mixed metal oxides and the application thereof in the form of shape selective, heterogeneous catalysts. Microporous, amorphous mixed metal oxides (glasses) can be formed by polycondensation of soluble metal compounds. These new materials show a temperature stability up to 800° C. These amorphous glasses shown in heterocatalytic reactions selective oxidation, hydrogenation, hydrocracking and condensation catalysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the catalytic activity and selectivity of microporous, amorphous glasses of mixed metal oxides and the application thereof in the form of shape selective, heterogeneous catalysts. Microporous, amorphous mixed metal oxides (glasses) can be formed by polycondensation of soluble metal compounds. These new materials show a temperature stability up to 800° C. These amorphous glasses show in heterocatalytic reactions selective oxidation, hydrogenation, hydrocracking and condensation catalysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mesoporous sorbent materials having high capacity, high selectivity, fast kinetics, and molecular recognition capability. The invention also relates to a process for preparing these mesoporous substrates through molecular imprinting techniques which differ from convention techniques in that a template molecule is bound to one end of bifunctional ligands to form a complex prior to binding of the bifunctional ligands to the substrate. The present invention also relates to methods of using the mesoporous sorbent materials, for example, in the separation of toxic metals from process effluents, paints, and other samples; detection of target molecules, such as amino acids, drugs, herbicides, fertilizers, and TNT, in samples; separation and/or detection of substances using chromatography; imaging agents; sensors; coatings; and composites.

Abstract: A pre-glass agglomeration fragrance delivery system comprising fused microspheres and a fragrance incorporated therein. The pre-glass agglomeration has an extended fragrance release time exceeding a year and a half, and uses microcapillary action to quickly uptake oils and alcohols. The pre-glass agglomeration provides a slow release of fragrance without the escape of any residual liquid. The pre-glass agglomeration may be replenished, an unlimited number of times, with fragrance containing oils and alcohols after the odor fades. The pre-glass agglomerations can be molded and may be colored or dyed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capillary columns including a monolith and a method for preparing a capillary column including a monolith. The monolith can be prepared by a sol gel method, and in the transformation from hydrosol to hydrogel, the monolith undergoes essentially no syneresis or volume shrinkage. Thus, deleterious effects of syneresis are avoided, such as the formation of channels having large dimensions that provide a pathway of least resistance for a mobile phase to effectively bypass portions of a stationary phase. The method for preparing a column having a monolith that undergoes essentially no syneresis involves a hydrogel solution that has a relatively low concentration of SiO2, i.e. less than about 5 g/100 mL.

Abstract: A process for making bioactive glasses is described including preparing a reaction mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel, aging the reaction mixture, near equilibrium drying a gel resulting from the reaction mixture, and heating the -near equilibrium-dried gel described. Also described are near equilibrium-dried bioactive glass compositions.

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: Internal porosity is created in dense SiO.sub.2 particles by heating a mixture of the particles with B.sub.2 O.sub.3 at a temperature above about 450.degree. C. Resulting SiO.sub.2 particles have altered morphology, internal porosity, and small to negative volume changes when heated.

Abstract: Opaque silica glass having a density of 2.0 to 2.18 g/cm.sup.3, sodium and potassium elements concentrations in the silica glass of each 0.5 ppm or less and an OH group concentration of 30 ppm or less, and containing bubbles which are independent bubbles having the following physical values: a bubble diameter of 300 .mu.m or less, and a bubble density of 100,000 to 1,000,000 bubbles/cm.sup.3, and a production process for opaque silica glass, including: filling quartz raw material grain having a particle size of 10 to 350 .mu.m in a heat resistant mold, heating it in a non-oxidizing atmosphere from a room temperature up to a temperature lower by 50 to 150.degree. C. than a temperature at which the above raw material grain is melted at a temperature-raising speed not exceeding 50.degree. C./minute, then, slowly heating it up to a temperature higher by 10 to 80.degree. C. than the temperature at which the quartz raw material grain is melted at the speed of 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A foamed glass article for preparing surfaces, the use therefor, and a method of making same are provided. The foamed glass article is in the form of a block, disk or similar product, and is used for preparing surfaces such as by sanding, rubbing and scraping the same to clean, abrade, polish, smooth, or the like such a surface. The foamed glass article is formed from a starting mixture that comprised glass, 0.10-20% by weight of at least one non-carbon/sulfate based foaming agent, and optionally an additional abrasive material. A mixture of powdered glass and non-carbon/sulfate based foaming agent can be placed in a mold and heated so that the mixture sinters and subsequently foams. Thereafter, the foamed mixture is annealed.

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: Internal porosity is created in dense SiO.sub.2 particles by heating a mixture of the particles with B.sub.2 O.sub.3 above the melting point of both mixture components. Resulting SiO.sub.2 particles have altered morphology, internal porosity, and a negative thermal expansion coefficient when heated.

Abstract: Porous silicon dioxide glass is proposed as an inorganic filler for polymerizable materials, which has a particle size of 0.5-50 micrometers, a pore size of 20-120 nanometers, a pore volume of 200-1000 mm.sup.3 /g and a BET surface area of 10-100 m.sup.2 /g. The polymer products containing the filler are characterized by a very good resistance to abrasion.

Abstract: A foamed glass article for preparing surfaces, the use therefor, and a method of making same are provided. The foamed glass article is in the form of a block, disk or similar product, and is used for preparing surfaces such as by sanding, rubbing and scraping the same to clean, abrade, polish, smooth, or the like such a surface. The foamed glass article is formed from a starting mixture that comprised waste glass, 0.10-20% by weight of a non-sulfur based foaming agent, and optionally an additional abrasive material. A mixture of powdered waste glass and non-sulfur based foaming agent can be placed in a mold and heated so that the mixture sinters and subsequently foams. Thereafter, the foamed mixture is annealed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining glass materials from ash-slag. Waste wherein the waste is heated to a melting point temperature and melted in a reducing medium. The obtained melt is cooled by a thermal shock to form a foamed glass material. Prior to heating the charge, the carbon content therein is brought to 3.0-8.0 wt %, and the foamed glass material is foamed under a flow of a gaseous medium resulting form decomposition of carbides formed in the melt as a result of carbon content adjustment. Carbon addition also reduces iron oxide present in the waste, this reduction facilitating iron separation from the foamed material.

Abstract: A storage phosphor material comprising a storage phosphor of the kind in which electrons excited by incident ionizing radiation may be trapped in stable trap sites and subsequently released by stimulation such as photostimulation, wherein the phosphor is contained within a host matrix which comprises a sol-gel glass in which the storage phosphor is incorporated as a dopant.

Abstract: A cellulated, inorganic body, and a method of producing the body, the body having a very low bulk density and being resistant to aqueous and chemical attack, the cells being gas- or vacuum-filled, predominantly closed, and dispersed in a crystalline matrix.

Abstract: A method for dissolving silica-rich fibers such as borosilicate fibers, fiberglass and asbestos to stabilize them for disposal. The method comprises (1) immersing the fibers in hot, five-weight-percent sodium hydroxide solution until the concentration of dissolved silica reaches equilibrium and a only a residue is left (about 48 hours), then immersing the residue in hot, five-weight-percent nitric acid until the residue dissolves (about 96 hours). After adjusting the pH of the dissolved fibers to be caustic, the solution can then be added to a waste vitrification stream for safe disposal. The method is useful in disposing contaminated HEME and HEPA filters.

Abstract: Novel non-crystalline, porous bioactive glass and ceramic materials that permit the in vitro formation of bone tissue when exposed to a tissue culture medium and inoculated with cells are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of treating bioactive glass materials to control pH so that when the glass is exposed to a tissue culture medium and then inoculated with cells, bone tissue growth occurs in vitro. The glass material disclosed is preferably formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: A process for producing inorganic porous materials is disclosed. The materials prepared by this process are favorably applied to producing columns for chromatography, porous filters for separating blood, porous catalysts, or enzyme supports. These materials have interconnected continuous macropores with a median diameter larger than 0.1 .mu.m. A preferred embodiment of said materials contains additionally mesopores in the walls of said macropores, said mesopores having a median diameter between 2 and 100 nm.

Abstract: High silica glasses exhibiting blue color by transmitted light are produced by impregnating a porous, high silica glass with a solution of cobalt, aluminum, and selected alkaline earth or alkali salts, and then consolidating the glass under oxidizing conditions to dope the glass with the corresponding oxides. The tinted glass has particular utility as a blue filter for lighting applications.

Abstract: Fibers having reduced surface roughness have a continuous coating of a silicone resin that undergoes pyrolysis in hydrogen or helium to form a hard, amorphous solid coat containing silicon, oxygen, and carbon. This silicon oxycarbide glass coating has exceptional high temperature strength and chemical stability compared to even vitreous silica. The coating is resistant to crystallization and oxidation at temperatures above 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention describes a composition of matter having moisture gettering properties and applicable as coating or adhesive in a hermetic microelectronic device. The composition is applied to the interior surface of the packaging at a thickness of 0.1-25 mil and comprises a desiccant finely dispersed in a binder which is a water vapor permeable solid material. This may be a polymer, porous ceramic or glass. The desiccant is a particulate solid with 0.2-100 micrometer average particle size. It ought to be able to absorb from a one atmosphere pressure gas containing one volume percent water vapor at least four parts by weight of water vapor per 100 parts by weight of desiccant at 25.degree. C., and for high reliability devices, it should also be able to absorb at least two parts by weight of water vapor per 100 parts by weight of desiccant at 100.degree. C. The desiccant to binder volume ratio ought to be between 0.002 and 2.

Abstract: A method of obtaining glass materials from ash-slag. Waste wherein the waste is heated to a melting point temperature and melted in a reducing medium. The obtained melt is cooled by a thermal shock to form a foamed glass material. Prior to heating the charge, the carbon content therein is brought to 3.0-8.0 wt %, and the foamed glass material is foamed under a flow of a gaseous medium resulting form decomposition of carbides formed in the melt as a result of carbon content adjustment. Carbon addition also reduces iron oxide present in the waste, this reduction facilitating iron separation from the foamed material.

Abstract: There is described a porous body for the storage and regulated release of vaporizable substances, which consists of open-pored sintered glass. The body preferably has a pore volume of from 30% to 85% and a mean pore size of from 10 to 350 .mu.m. The body is inert to the stored substances, has a very high storage volume and releases the stored substances very uniformly, and in particular, with no chromatography effects occurring.

Abstract: A microporous thermal insulation molding comprising compressed thermal insulation material comprising 30-100% by weight of finely divided metal oxide, 0-50% by weight of opacifier, 0-50% by weight of fiber material and 0-15% by weight of inorganic binder, wherein at least one surface of the molding has channel pores having a cross-sectional area of the pore of 0.01-8 mm.sup.2 and having an intrusion depth of 5-100%, based on the thickness of the molding, with 0.004-10 channel pores being present per 1 cm.sup.2 of the molding surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides hollow borosilicate microspheres having a mean particle size between 15 and 20 microns, and a true density below 0.25 g/cc. The invention also provides a method for making such microspheres comprising spray drying a solution of sodium silicate and sodium borate in a spray tower to form a precursor, milling the precursor, and heating the crushed precursor to a temperature in excess of 600.degree. F. to form hollow borosilicate microspheres.

Abstract: There is disclosed an amorphous, polymeric material that contains phosphorous, aluminum and carbon atoms, and that is the reaction product of a buffered liquid mixture of a source of phosphorous, such as 85% phosphoric acid, a source of aluminum, such as boehmite, and an organic liquid buffer, such as a carboxylic acid. The polymeric material may be converted to a glassy or crystalline solid by heating to a temperature of at least 150.degree. C., and may be cellulated.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved structural glass composition and process for manufacture. In one embodiment in which the improved structural glass may be used in isolation, the glass comprises a foamed glass core which is manufactured by supplying a glass base through which a gas is infused, either by reaction or by entrapment. As the gas to glass ratio is increased to an optimum level, the quality of the foamed glass moves from a stiff homogeneous glass which is strong in compression, weak in compression and brittle, to a foamed glass which is strong in compression, weak in tension and ductile. In a second embodiment of the invention inorganic fibers supported by a glass matrix may be wrapped around the foamed glass core. This fibrous material is generally strong in tension and also ductile. The resultant combination is a glass structure which is both strong in compression and strong in tension and which is ductile.

Abstract: A composition suitable for sulfurizing an organophosphite. The reagent comprises a solution of sulfur and a tertiary amine, in a suitable solvent such as carbon disulfide. The tertiary amine is preferably an optionally substituted trialkyl amine, for example triethylamine or diisopropylamine. A method is also provided in which phosphites or phosphonous esters are sulfurized to their corresponding phosphorothioates or phosphonothioates, respectively, using compositions of the present invention. This method has particular application to produce internucleotide phosphorothioate or phosphonothioate bonds in a nucleotide multimer.

Abstract: Extruded low-expansion ceramic honeycombs comprising beta-spodumene solid solution as the principal crystal phase and with less than 7 weight percent of included mullite are produced by compounding an extrusion batch comprising a lithium aluminosilicate glass powder and a clay additive, extruding a green honeycomb body from the batch, and drying and firing the green extruded cellular honeycomb to crystallize the glass and clay into a low-expansion spodumene ceramic honeycomb body.

Abstract: Synthetic abrasive stones and method for making same. A mixture of glass and 10.5-28% by weight foaming agent is provided. The mixture is heated to a temperature of from 765.degree. to 960.degree. C., and is then cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: Synthetic abrasive stones and method for making same. A mixture of glass and 10-20% by weight foaming agent is provided. The mixture is heated to a temperature of from 788.degree. to 899.degree. C., and is then cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: A yellow color by transmitted light is produced in a high silica glass by impregnating a porous, high silica glass with a solution of chromium and zinc salts and consolidating the glass under oxidizing conditions to dope the glass with chromium and zinc oxides, the chromium being predominantly in the hexavalent state. Optionally, an aluminum salt is included in the impregnating solution. The glass has particular utility as a filter for lighting purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foamable silicate composition comprising (a) one or more alkali metal silicates, (b) a blowing agent, (c) a hardener which can be an acetate or a formate ester of a di-polyhydric alcohol or a polyoxyalkylene glycol and (d) a surfactant having a hydrophilic-lypophilic balance of at least 8. The formulations are readily produced by mixing the components, are pourable, pumpable and sprayable, and give rise to foams of excellent compressive strength and thermal insulation properties under ambient conditions.

Abstract: Hollow glass spheres having average densities of approximately 0.10 grams/cc to approximately 2.0 grams/cc are prepared by heating solid glass particles. The glass spheres consist essentially of the following ingredients in the following amounts stated as weight percentages: SiO.sub.2 (50 to 57%); R.sub.2 0(2 to 15%); B.sub.2 O.sub.3 (0 to 20%); S(0.05 to 1.5%); RO(2 to 25%); RO.sub.2 (other than SiO.sub.2) (0 to 5%); R.sub.2 O.sub.3 (other than B.sub.2 O.sub.3) (0 to 10%); R.sub.2 O.sub.5 (0 to 5%); and F(0 to 5%). R represents a metal or an element like phosphorous which combines with oxygen in glass. The sizes of the hollow glass spheres are selected to produce a maximum average strength for a desired average density.

Abstract: This invention provides a composite article comprising mullite bubbles dispersed in one of a glass matrix and a glass-ceramic matrix, and a method of making the same. The composite ceramic article of the present invention is useful in applications requiring a material having a low dielectric constant, low dissipation factor, thermal expansion properties compatible with silicon, and good mechanical strength. The composite ceramic article of the present invention is particularly useful as a substrate for thick film circuits, housings for integrated circuit assemblies (i.e., covers), and materials such as gyrotron windows, that require transparency to microwaves or millimeter waves, in addition to acceptable power transmission efficiencies.

Abstract: Lamellar-structured highly microporous silicate compositions are provided which can be used as insulative articles and insulation material. The silicate is in the form of lamellae selected from the group consisting of mica and vermiculite. The silicate lamellae form the microporous structure, by forming the pore walls with the lamellae. Processes are described which prepare these compositions by removing the water from flocculated or unflocculated aqueous dispersions of chemically delaminated silicates while the arrangement of the lamellae in the dispersion is largely preserved, resulting in the highly microporous lamellar structure.

Abstract: Low sodium hollow glass microspheres containing less than about 3 wt. % Na.sub.2 O are produced from aqueous precursors. The method comprisesa) forming an aqueous glass precursor solution or slurry by combining sources of cations contained in the glass, the solution or slurry comprising all of the glass cations in proportions substantially identical to those in the glass,b) forming the solution or slurry into droplets, andc) heating the droplets to form the microspheres.The precursor may also contain surfactants, blowing agents or other known expedients. Nonionic fluorocarbon surfactants are preferred.The droplets may be formed by spraying or any other known technique. The droplets may be spray dried prior to heating step c).

Abstract: A substrate having a low dielectric constant for use with electronic devices consisting essentially of porous crystalline glass. The composition of the crystalline glass is represented by the formula X-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2, where X is one or more of the metal oxides ZnO, MgO, Li.sub.2 O, ZrO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, P.sub.2 O.sub.5, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and BaO. The crystalline glass may also include a filler material such as a ceramic powder or non-glass material. The substrate initially has a particle size of approximately 5 microns or less, which provides a high mechanical strength to the substrate even at high porosities.

Abstract: Nonlinear optical materials comprising porous glass, the pores of which contain a semiconductor material and a polymer.

Abstract: Machinable ceramic composites having a low dielectric constant. The composite comprises ceramic bubbles uniformly distributed throughout a ceramic matrix. These composites can be used as ceramic substrates and housings in electronic packaging, and as windows transparent to microwave and millimeter wave radiation.

Abstract: Porous glass consisting essentially of silica, zirconia and an alkali metal compound, wherein the content of zirconia is at least 5% by weight and the content of the alkali metal compound is at least 2% by weight as calculated as M.sub.2 O wherein M is an alkali metal element, and the total pore volume (A) of pores having pore radii of from 20 to 10,000 .ANG. is at least 0.2 ml/g, and the proportion of the pore volume (B) of pores having pore radii of from 100 to 10,000 .ANG. to the total pore volume (A) of pores having pore radii of from 210 to 10,000 .ANG. is at least 80%.

Abstract: Glass compositions for use in the preparation of glass microspheres and having reduced 2 Pas (20 poise) temperatures comprise 38 to 44% SiO.sub.2, 14 to 22% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 9 to 16% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 22 to 26% CaO and optionally MgO, 0 to 8% Na.sub.2 O, 0 to 2% Li.sub.2 O, 0 to 2% K.sub.2 O and 0 to 1% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, the sum of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Na.sub.2 O being at least 19%, said percentage by weight.

Abstract: A porous body of fibrous, low density silica-based insulation material is at least in part impregnated with a reactive boron oxide containing borosilicate glass frit, a silicon tetraboride fluxing agent and a molybdenum silicide emittance agent. The glass frit, fluxing agent and emittance agent are separately milled to reduce their particle size, then mixed together to produce a slurry in ethanol. The slurry is then applied to the insulation material and sintered to produce the porous body.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for substrates comprising zirconia partially stabilized by yttria and having a density greater than 88% of the theoretical density with a plurality of vertical macrocracks homogeneously dispersed throughout the coating to improve its thermal fatigue resistance. The invention also discloses a process for producing the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: Small hollow glass spheres are prepared by adding a surfactant to a liquid glass precursor mixture. The surfactant-containing solution or dispersion can be formed into droplets which are directed into a heated zone and the product collected in a cooler zone. Alternately, the solution or dispersion may be spray-dried, and the spray-dried product is fed into the heated zone and collected in the cooler zone. Nonionic fluorocarbon surfactants are the preferred surfactants.