An insulated concrete panel comprising an insulation layer having one or more openings extending therethrough, a first concrete layer adjacent to a first surface of the insulation layer, a second concrete layer adjacent to a second surface of the insulation layer, and a wall tie received within one or more of the openings. The wall tie includes a central section received within the one or more openings of the insulation layer, a first concrete engaging at least partially embedded within the first concrete layer, and a second concrete engaging section embedded within the second concrete layer. The second concrete engaging section has a maximum width that is larger than a maximum width of the central section. The central section of the wall tie is configured to transfer shear forces and resist delamination forces between the first and second concrete layers.

An insulated concrete panel comprising an insulation layer having one or more openings extending therethrough, a first concrete layer adjacent to a first surface of the insulation layer, a second concrete layer adjacent to a second surface of the insulation layer, and a wall tie received within one or more of the openings. The wall tie includes a central section received within the one or more openings of the insulation layer, a first concrete engaging at least partially embedded within the first concrete layer, and a second concrete engaging section embedded within the second concrete layer. The second concrete engaging section has a maximum width that is larger than a maximum width of the central section. The central section of the wall tie is configured to transfer shear forces and resist delamination forces between the first and second concrete layers.

One embodiment relates to a pump device with an impeller; a pump housing, including a wall surrounding an interior having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller is provided in the interior of the pump housing. The pump housing includes at least one first part-region, at least two further part-regions and at least one third part-region. The at least one first part-region includes, to an extent of at least 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the first part-region, at least one nonmagnetic material, wherein the at least two further part-regions comprise, to an extent of at least 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the further part-region, at least one ferromagnetic material metal, wherein the at least one third part-region comprises a metal content in a range from 40% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the third part-region.

Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods of manufacturing epitaxial formation support structures and solid state lighting devices are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a method of manufacturing an epitaxial formation support substrate can include forming an uncured support substrate that has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to N-type gallium nitride. The method can further include positioning the first side of the uncured support substrate on a first surface of a first reference plate and positioning a second surface of a second reference plate on the second side to form a stack. The first and second surfaces can include uniformly flat portions. The method can also include firing the stack to sinter the uncured support substrate. At least side of the support substrate can form a planar surface that is substantially uniformly flat.

Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods of manufacturing epitaxial formation support structures and solid state lighting devices are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a method of manufacturing an epitaxial formation support substrate can include forming an uncured support substrate that has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to N-type gallium nitride. The method can further include positioning the first side of the uncured support substrate on a first surface of a first reference plate and positioning a second surface of a second reference plate on the second side to form a stack. The first and second surfaces can include uniformly flat portions. The method can also include firing the stack to sinter the uncured support substrate. At least side of the support substrate can form a planar surface that is substantially uniformly flat.

The present invention involves a multiplayer artificial stone and its preparation method. The decorative layer comprises the following components in percentage by weight: 80%-90% of a decorative stone, 5%-15% of an unsaturated polyester resin, 0.6%-2% of a coupling agent, 0.7%-1.2% of a curing agent, and 1%-5% of a pigment filler. The bottom layer comprises the following components in percentage by weight: 65%-78% of a calcium carbonate stone, 10%-18% of an unsaturated polyester resin, 0.6%-2% of a coupling agent, 0.7%-1.2% of a curing agent, and 1-15% of a pigment filler. The preparation method involves preparing the decorative layer and the bottom layer separately and then binding the two layers together by pressing. This arrangement allows the multilayer artificial stone to have good decorative effect and product quality; in addition, each layer contains only one type of stone, therefore its preparation is easier and can be more precisely controlled, lowering production cost.

A method of making a composite core includes forming first and second cores of refractory metal and ceramic material. Each of the first and second cores is formed with two layers of a material. The layers are bonded together to form a laminate master pattern, and a flexible mold is formed around the pattern. The pattern is removed from the flexible mold, and slurry material, either pulverulent refractory metal material or ceramic material, is poured into the flexible mold. The slurry material is sintered to form each core. The first core is used as an insert while making the second core to create a final composite core.

A method of making a composite core includes forming first and second cores of refractory metal and ceramic material. Each of the first and second cores is formed with two layers of a material. The layers are bonded together to form a laminate master pattern, and a flexible mold is formed around the pattern. The pattern is removed from the flexible mold, and slurry material, either pulverulent refractory metal material or ceramic material, is poured into the flexible mold. The slurry material is sintered to form each core. The first core is used as an insert while making the second core to create a final composite core.

Gypsum panels and methods of making the same are provided. A method of making a gypsum panel includes forming a first gypsum slurry by combining stucco, water, a siliconate, and a phosphate salt or polymer, and setting the first gypsum slurry to form at least part of a core of the gypsum panel, wherein the gypsum panel displays a 2-hour water absorption test weight increase of at least 10 weight percent less than an otherwise identical comparative panel containing no phosphate salt or polymer in its core.

Gypsum panels and methods of making the same are provided. A method of making a gypsum panel includes forming a first gypsum slurry by combining stucco, water, a siliconate, and a phosphate salt or polymer, and setting the first gypsum slurry to form at least part of a core of the gypsum panel, wherein the gypsum panel displays a 2-hour water absorption test weight increase of at least 10 weight percent less than an otherwise identical comparative panel containing no phosphate salt or polymer in its core.