Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a battery cell component that is formed by a method that includes forming a slurry that includes a ceramic material, a binder, and an ionic dispersant. The ceramic material may be greater than 50% of the slurry by weight. The method may also include applying the slurry to a polymeric material to form a two-layer separator. The slurry may be applied to a thickness of less than or about 10 μm.

The present invention relates to a technique of dramatically improving a method for causing a molten metal of an Al alloy or the like to infiltrate without pressurization into a preform obtained by molding and hardening a ceramic powder, and obtaining “a metal matrix composite formed from a ceramic powder and an Al alloy or the like” in a uniform state as a whole more simply and stably, and the present invention provides “a production method for producing a metal matrix composite containing aluminum and ceramic, the method including: obtaining a mixed body by performing molding using a mixture containing a magnesium-containing powder, a ceramic powder, and an inorganic or organic/inorganic binder that is hardened when heated to 500° C. or lower; preparing a preform by calcining the mixed body at a temperature of 500° C. or lower; and causing an Al alloy or the like to infiltrate without pressurization into the obtained preform to produce the metal matrix composite containing aluminum and ceramic, and a method for preparing the preform.”

The present invention relates to a technique of dramatically improving a method for causing a molten metal of an Al alloy or the like to infiltrate without pressurization into a preform obtained by molding and hardening a ceramic powder, and obtaining “a metal matrix composite formed from a ceramic powder and an Al alloy or the like” in a uniform state as a whole more simply and stably, and the present invention provides “a production method for producing a metal matrix composite containing aluminum and ceramic, the method including: obtaining a mixed body by performing molding using a mixture containing a magnesium-containing powder, a ceramic powder, and an inorganic or organic/inorganic binder that is hardened when heated to 500° C. or lower; preparing a preform by calcining the mixed body at a temperature of 500° C. or lower; and causing an Al alloy or the like to infiltrate without pressurization into the obtained preform to produce the metal matrix composite containing aluminum and ceramic, and a method for preparing the preform.”

A tableted catalyst support, characterized by an alpha-alumina content of at least 85 wt.-%, a pore volume of at least 0.40 mL/g, as determined by mercury porosimetry, and a BET surface area of 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2/g. The tableted catalyst support is an alpha-alumina catalyst support obtained with high geometrical precision and displaying a high overall pore volume, thus allowing for impregnation with a high amount of silver, while exhibiting a surface area sufficiently large so as to provide optimal dispersion of catalytically active species, in particular metal species. The invention further provides a process for producing a tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support, which comprises i) forming a free-flowing feed mixture comprising, based on inorganic solids content, at least 50 wt.-% of a transition alumina; ii) tableting the free-flowing feed mixture to obtain a compacted body; and iii) heat treating the compacted body at a temperature of at least 1100° C., preferably at least 1300° C., more preferably at least 1400° C., in particular at least 1450° C., to obtain the tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support. The invention moreover relates to a compacted body obtained by tableting a free-flowing feed mixture which comprises, based on inorganic solids content, at least 50 wt.-% of a transition alumina having a loose bulk density of at most 600 g/L, a pore volume of at least 0.6 mL/g, as determined, and a median pore diameter of at least 15 nm. The invention moreover relates to a shaped catalyst body for producing ethylene oxide by gas-phase oxidation of ethylene, comprising at least 15 wt.-% of silver, relative to the total weight of the catalyst, deposited on the tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support. The invention moreover relates to a process for producing ethylene oxide by gas-phase oxidation of ethylene, comprising reacting ethylene and oxygen in the presence of the shaped catalyst body.

A tableted catalyst support, characterized by an alpha-alumina content of at least 85 wt.-%, a pore volume of at least 0.40 mL/g, as determined by mercury porosimetry, and a BET surface area of 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2/g. The tableted catalyst support is an alpha-alumina catalyst support obtained with high geometrical precision and displaying a high overall pore volume, thus allowing for impregnation with a high amount of silver, while exhibiting a surface area sufficiently large so as to provide optimal dispersion of catalytically active species, in particular metal species. The invention further provides a process for producing a tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support, which comprises i) forming a free-flowing feed mixture comprising, based on inorganic solids content, at least 50 wt.-% of a transition alumina; ii) tableting the free-flowing feed mixture to obtain a compacted body; and iii) heat treating the compacted body at a temperature of at least 1100° C., preferably at least 1300° C., more preferably at least 1400° C., in particular at least 1450° C., to obtain the tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support. The invention moreover relates to a compacted body obtained by tableting a free-flowing feed mixture which comprises, based on inorganic solids content, at least 50 wt.-% of a transition alumina having a loose bulk density of at most 600 g/L, a pore volume of at least 0.6 mL/g, as determined, and a median pore diameter of at least 15 nm. The invention moreover relates to a shaped catalyst body for producing ethylene oxide by gas-phase oxidation of ethylene, comprising at least 15 wt.-% of silver, relative to the total weight of the catalyst, deposited on the tableted alpha-alumina catalyst support. The invention moreover relates to a process for producing ethylene oxide by gas-phase oxidation of ethylene, comprising reacting ethylene and oxygen in the presence of the shaped catalyst body.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.

Devices, systems, and methods are directed to binder jetting for forming three-dimensional parts having controlled, macroscopically inhomogeneous material composition. In general, a binder may be delivered to each layer of a plurality of layers of a powder of inorganic particles. An active component may be introduced, in a spatially controlled distribution, to at least one of the plurality of layers such that the binder, the powder of inorganic particles, and the active component, in combination, form an object. The object may be thermally processed into a three-dimensional part having a gradient of one or more physicochemical properties of a material at least partially formed from thermally processing the inorganic particles and the active component of the object.

Devices, systems, and methods are directed to binder jetting for forming three-dimensional parts having controlled, macroscopically inhomogeneous material composition. In general, a binder may be delivered to each layer of a plurality of layers of a powder of inorganic particles. An active component may be introduced, in a spatially controlled distribution, to at least one of the plurality of layers such that the binder, the powder of inorganic particles, and the active component, in combination, form an object. The object may be thermally processed into a three-dimensional part having a gradient of one or more physicochemical properties of a material at least partially formed from thermally processing the inorganic particles and the active component of the object.

A mould for manufacturing a packing member from a liquid ceramic composition. The mould including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and/or the second part comprise an open mould cavity and wherein the first and second parts are operable to engage to form a closed mould cavity, wherein the mould further includes a reservoir forming member, and wherein the mould is operable to be moved from an open position in which the first and second parts are at least partially spaced such that the reservoir member forms a reservoir cavity and the mould cavity is open, to a partially closed position in which the location of the reservoir cavity has moved with respect to the mould cavity and/or the volume of the reservoir cavity has reduced, and then to a closed position in which the first and second parts are engaged such that the mould cavity is closed.