Provided is a method for producing a metal solid, the method being capable of easily producing a metal solid. A method for producing a metal solid, the method comprising covering at least a portion of the periphery of a metal powder with a high-melting-point material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal powder; and irradiating the metal powder, at least a portion of the periphery of which is covered with the high-melting-point material, with microwaves to heat the metal powder, thereby sintering or melt-solidifying the metal powder.

A method for producing a joined solid, the method comprising placing a metal powder on a solid; covering at least a portion of the periphery of the metal powder with a high-melting-point material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal powder; and irradiating the metal powder, at least a portion of the periphery of which is covered with the high-melting-point material, with microwaves to heat the metal powder, thereby sintering or melt-solidifying the metal powder to form a metal solid on the solid.

This invention relates generally to an article that includes a non-wetting surface having a dynamic contact angle of at least about 90. The surface is patterned with macro-scale features configured to induce controlled asymmetry in a liquid film produced by impingement of a droplet onto the surface, thereby reducing time of contact between the droplet and the surface.

A device and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity ceramic fluidic device having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the device, the tortuous fluid passage having a smooth interior surface, a material of the ceramic body having a continuous and uniform distribution of grains at least between opposed major surfaces of the ceramic body. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of binder-coated ceramic powder, pressing the volume of ceramic powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body, heating the pressed body to remove the mold, and sintering the pressed body. A relationship between a first stability characteristic of the volume of ceramic powder and a second stability characteristic of the mold prevents discontinuities in the pressed body after pressing and/or during heating.

A method for producing a joined solid, the method comprising placing a metal powder on a solid; covering at least a portion of the periphery of the metal powder with a high-melting-point material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal powder; and irradiating the metal powder, at least a portion of the periphery of which is covered with the high-melting-point material, with microwaves to heat the metal powder, thereby sintering or melt-solidifying the metal powder to form a metal solid on the solid.

This invention relates a non-sintered green sheet or tape comprising a corrugated surface having alternating crests and troughs arranged along both a first direction of the surface and a second direction of the surface, the second direction forming an angle of between 60? to 120? to the first direction, wherein the corrugation periods and/or corrugation amplitudes in the first direction differ from those in the second direction. The invention enables preparation of a reliable, large-sized ceramic sheet material, e.g. as a ceramic electrolyte layer for use in solid oxide cells, as a ceramic sheet for filter or membrane applications, or as sintering substrate or setter. In addition, sintered ceramic sheets and electrolytes, methods of preparation, and solid oxide cells (SOCs) making use of the non-sintered green sheet or tape are described.

An assembly for densification under load along at least one direction of compression. The assembly includes: at least one volume to be densified having a powdery and/or porous composition and having variations in thickness along the direction of compression; and at least one counter-form of a powdery and/or porous composition, having at least one face facing at least one portion of the volume. The face and each of the portions are separated by at least one deformable interface layer.

A method of fabricating a multi-perforated part out of composite material includes positioning a sand-blasting mask on a preform including a fiber texture impregnated with a polymerized ceramic-precursor resin, the mask having a plurality of openings corresponding to the perforations to be made in the preform; projecting abrasive particles at high speed against the surface of the mask so as to perforate the preform exposed in the openings of the mask; and pyrolyzing the multi-perforated preform so as to form a ceramic matrix in the multi-perforated fiber texture.

A tool includes a flexible section; a head that extends form the flexible section; and an exciter within the head. A method of additively manufacturing a component including burrowing a tool into a conglomerated powder within an internal passage of an additively manufactured component, the tool vibrating in a manner to facilitate removal of the conglomerated powder.

A method for the joining of ceramic pieces with a hermetically sealed joint comprising brazing a layer of joining material between the two pieces. The wetting and flow of the joining material is controlled by the selection of the joining material, the joining temperature, the joining atmosphere, and other factors. The ceramic pieces may be on a non-diffusable type, such as aluminum nitride, alumina, beryllium oxide, and zirconia, and the pieces may be brazed with an aluminum alloy under controlled atmosphere. The joint material is adapted to later withstand both the environments within a process chamber during substrate processing, and the oxygenated atmosphere which may be seen within the shaft of a heater or electrostatic chuck.