A method of making a glass sheet includes exposing a refractory block material comprising at least one multivalent component to a reducing atmosphere for a time and at a temperature sufficient to substantially reduce the at least one multivalent component of the refractory block material. The method also includes flowing molten glass over the refractory block material that has been exposed to the reducing atmosphere while preventing substantial re-oxidation of the at least one multivalent component.

A method of making a glass sheet includes exposing a refractory block material comprising at least one multivalent component to a reducing atmosphere for a time and at a temperature sufficient to substantially reduce the at least one multivalent component of the refractory block material. The method also includes flowing molten glass over the refractory block material that has been exposed to the reducing atmosphere while preventing substantial re-oxidation of the at least one multivalent component.

Use of a composition comprising A) from 55 to 90% by weight of aluminum oxide, B) from 5 to 35% by weight of a sodium compound which at a pH of 7 at 20 C. has a solubility in water of 300 g/l and can be converted by thermal means virtually exclusively into sodium oxide as only solid, C) from 0 to 15% by weight of a magnesium compound and/or a lithium compound selected from the group consisting of: magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium nitrate, lithium oxide, lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate and D) from 0 to 30% by weight of zirconium dioxide
for producing a shaped ceramic body by extrusion.

Use of a composition comprising A) from 55 to 90% by weight of aluminum oxide, B) from 5 to 35% by weight of a sodium compound which at a pH of 7 at 20 C. has a solubility in water of 300 g/l and can be converted by thermal means virtually exclusively into sodium oxide as only solid, C) from 0 to 15% by weight of a magnesium compound and/or a lithium compound selected from the group consisting of: magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium nitrate, lithium oxide, lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate and D) from 0 to 30% by weight of zirconium dioxide
for producing a shaped ceramic body by extrusion.

A composition is provided for forming a sodium-ion conducting electrolyte structure, comprising particles of a sodium-ion-conducting ceramic, combined with particles of at least one transition metal oxide, such as copper, titanium and niobium oxides, or iron oxide, or precursors for these oxides, so the metal oxides make up no more than 5% by weight of the weight of the particles. The sodium-ion-conducting ceramic may be of the types referred to as Nasicon, or ?-alumina. The metal oxides may constitute no more than 2% of the weight of the particles. The metal oxides act as a sintering aid, making it possible to achieve densification at a reduced sintering temperature, while having no significant detrimental effect on the electrical properties of the sintered ceramic. The invention also encompasses an electrode structure made by sintering this composition.

Provided is a thin beta-alumina-based solid electrolyte sheet having a high ion conduction value. The solid electrolyte sheet containing -alumina and/or -alumina and having a thickness of 1 mm or less and a voidage of 20% or less.

Provided is an all-solid-state secondary battery capable of developing good cycle characteristics even when used for a certain period at high temperatures of 150 C. and above. An all-solid-state secondary battery 1 with a solid electrolyte layer 2, a positive electrode layer 3, and a negative electrode layer 4 includes: a first current collector layer 5 provided on a principal surface of the positive electrode layer 2 located on a side thereof opposite to a side thereof where the solid electrolyte layer 2 is disposed; a second current collector layer 6 provided on a principal surface of the negative electrode layer 4 located on a side thereof opposite to a side thereof where the solid electrolyte layer 2 is disposed; and a sealing layer 7 provided between an outer peripheral edge 5a of the first current collector layer 5 and an outer peripheral edge 6a of the second current collector layer 6 to seal the positive electrode layer 3 and the negative electrode layer 4, wherein an internal space 8 enclosed by the first current collector layer 5, the second current collector layer 6, and the sealing layer 7 is vacuum.

Provided is a thin beta-alumina-based solid electrolyte sheet having a high ion conduction value. The solid electrolyte sheet containing -alumina and/or -alumina and having a thickness of 1 mm or less and a voidage of 20% or less.

Provided is a thin beta-alumina-based solid electrolyte sheet having a high ion conduction value. The solid electrolyte sheet containing -alumina and/or -alumina and having a thickness of 1 mm or less and a voidage of 20% or less.