ZrO.sub.2-toughened glass ceramics having high molar fractions of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 and fracture toughness value of greater than 1.8 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2. The glass ceramic may also include also contain other secondary phases, including lithium silicates, that may be beneficial for toughening or for strengthening through an ion exchange process. Additional second phases may also decrease the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass ceramic. A method of making such glass ceramics is also provided.

Methods for synthesizing fibers having nanoparticles therein are provided, as well as preforms and fibers incorporating nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may include one or more rare earth ions selected based on fluorescence at eye-safer wavelengths, surrounded by a low-phonon energy host. Nanoparticles that are not doped with rare earth ions may also be included as a co-dopant to help increase solubility of nanoparticles doped with rare earth ions in the silica matrix. The nanoparticles may be incorporated into a preform, which is then drawn to form fiber. The fibers may beneficially be incorporated into lasers and amplifiers that operate at eye safer wavelengths. Lasers and amplifiers incorporating the fibers may also beneficially exhibit reduced Stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

Provided is a conductive paste for forming bus bar electrodes having high adhesive strength with respect to a passivation film in a crystalline silicon solar cell without having a detrimental effect on the passivation film so as to affect solar cell properties. The conductive paste is a conductive paste formed on a passivation film of a solar cell, containing: (A) silver particles, (B) an organic vehicle, and (C) glass fit containing TeO.sub.2 at 1.0 mol % to 20 mol % and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 at 10 mol % to 30 mol %.

Composite roofing structures can include mineral fiber roof cover boards with high concentration of mineral wool or mineral wool and perlite. The roofing structure may include: a roof cover board including a dried base mat including: 8-25% mineral wool, 40-65% perlite, 9-15% binder, 9-15% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent, all % by weight; an insulation layer; and a roofing membrane. The roof cover board is over the insulation layer, the roofing membrane is over the roof cover board. The roof cover board is attached to the insulation layer. The roofing membrane is attached to the roof cover board. Alternatively dried base mat may include: 30-70% mineral wool, 10-50% perlite, 5-15% binder, 2-20% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent. Alternatively the dried base mat may include: 60-90% mineral wool, 0-10% fiber, 0-10% perlite, 4-10% binder, 0-5% gypsum, and 0.25-2% sizing agent.

A conversion material for a white or colored light source is provided. The material includes a matrix glass that, as bulk material, for a thickness of about 1 mm, has a pure transmission of greater than 80% in the wavelength region from 350 to 800 nm and in the region in which the primary light source emits light, wherein the sum of transmission and reflection of the sintered matrix glass without luminophore is at least greater than 80% in the spectral region from 350 nm to 800 nm and in the spectral region in which the primary light source emits light.

A glass laminate for an architectural element has a glass substrate coupled to the architectural element and defines a primary surface facing away from the architectural element. A phase-separable glass cladding is coupled to the primary surface. The cladding has an interconnected matrix with a first phase composition and a second phase that has a second phase composition different than the first phase composition. The second phase is distributed throughout the interconnected matrix. A copper phase is distributed within the interconnected matrix. The glass cladding has an antimicrobial log kill rate greater than about 4 as measured by an EPA Copper Test Protocol.

A method of making a copper-doped glass comprising placing a target glass in a container, placing a target glass in a container, surrounding the target glass with a powder mixture comprised of fused silica (SiO.sub.2) powder and copper sulfide (Cu.sub.2S) powder, such that both the target glass and the surrounding powder are contained in the container, and heating the container and the target glass and the surrounding powder mixture to a temperature of between 800° C. and 1150° C.

A float bath coating system includes at least one nanoparticle coater located in a float bath. The at least one nanoparticle coater includes a housing, a nanoparticle discharge slot, a first combustion slot, and a second combustion slot. The nanoparticle discharge slot is connected to a nanoparticle source and a carrier fluid source. The first combustion slot is connected to a fuel source and an oxidizer source. The second combustion slot is connected to a fuel source and an oxidizer source.

An abrasive article can include a body including abrasive particles contained in the body and ceramic particles contained within a bond material. The ceramic particles can have an average particle size D50c of at least 2 microns and at most 75 microns. The abrasive particles can include an average particle size D50a greater than the average particle size D50c.

A copper-doped glass formed by placing a target glass in a container, surrounding the target glass with a powder mixture comprised of SiO.sub.2 powder and Cu.sub.2S powder, wherein the SiO.sub.2 powder and the Cu.sub.2S powder are mixed according to the formula (SiO.sub.2).sub.(1-x)(Cu.sub.2S).sub.x, where 0.01<x<0.1, and heated to a temperature of between 800° C. and 1150° C. for a duration of between 1 and 10 hours.