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.

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.

Herein is disclosed a method of producing a ceramic support suitable for a catalyst, the method comprising providing a porous ceramic structure, comprising a body portion with a monomodal macropore structure, wherein the macropores comprises a first mean pore size; washcoating the porous ceramic structure using a suspension comprising oxide and/or hydroxide nanoparticles and drying and calcinating the washcoated porous ceramic structure at a temperature below the melting point of the nanoparticles. In addition, the ceramic support and its structure is disclosed.

Herein is disclosed a method of producing a ceramic support suitable for a catalyst, the method comprising providing a porous ceramic structure, comprising a body portion with a monomodal macropore structure, wherein the macropores comprises a first mean pore size; washcoating the porous ceramic structure using a suspension comprising oxide and/or hydroxide nanoparticles and drying and calcinating the washcoated porous ceramic structure at a temperature below the melting point of the nanoparticles. In addition, the ceramic support and its structure is disclosed.

To provide a sintered body with improved impact resistance due to impact absorption through plastic deformation before brittle fracture for an impact exceeding the fracture resistance of the sintered body, and/or a method for producing the sintered body.

A sintered body including: zirconia containing a stabilizer; and a region in which an impact mark is formed when an impact force is applied.

Provided is a multicolour cermet and/or ceramic article, and in particular a bezel of a timepiece, made by a method for injecting at least two materials of distinct colours, said article comprising a relief decoration of a colour different from the rest of the article, said decoration being made by laser ablation after injection of the two materials.

A cermet and/or ceramic multi-coloured article, and in particular a bezel (1) of a timepiece, produced by a method for compressing at least two materials (2, 3) of distinct colours, the article including a relief decoration (8) of a different colour from the rest of the article, the decoration (8) being produced by laser ablation on one of the materials (3) after compression of the two materials (2, 3).

According to the present invention, there are provided a composite body that enables the formation of a lithium ion conductor that exhibits good lithium ion conductivity by a pressurization treatment without sintering at a high temperature (about 1,000° C.) while using a lithium-containing oxide having excellent safety and stability, as well as a lithium ion conductor, an all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery, an electrode sheet for an all-solid state lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium tetraborate. The composite body according to the embodiment of the present invention contains a lithium compound having a lithium ion conductivity of 1.0×10.sup.−6 S/cm or more at 25° C. and lithium tetraborate that satisfies the following requirement 1.

The requirement 1: In a reduced two-body distribution function G(r) obtained from an X-ray total scattering measurement of the lithium tetraborate, a first peak in which a peak top is located in a range where r is 1.43±0.2 Å and a second peak in which a peak top is located in a range where r is 2.40±0.2 Å are present, G(r) of the peak top of the first peak and G(r) of the peak top of the second peak indicate more than 1.0, and an absolute value of G(r) is less than 1.0 in a range where r is more than 5 Å and 10 Å or less.

A method of preparation of a ceramic slurry for use in 3D printing includes steps of: (A) providing a plasticizer and a disperser and mixing the plasticizer and the disperser evenly; (B) mixing the mixture obtained in step (A) with an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is polyvinyl alcohol; and (C) adding a Yttria-stabilized zirconia powder to the mixture obtained in step (B) to produce, by sufficient blending and deaerating, the ceramic slurry for use in 3D printing. A method of preparation of a ceramic product includes steps of: (A) preparing a ceramic slurry with the method; (B) performing 3D printing with the ceramic slurry to form a primary green body; (C) placing the primary green body in a freezer to undergo a refrigeration process, thereby causing crystallization of polyvinyl alcohol; and (D) thawing the frozen primary green body to form a plastic green body with gel structure.