Systems and methods for fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a chamber for sintering loose mineral material into solid ceramic shapes includes a plurality of zirconia insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and forming a cavity in which the mineral loose material is contained, and at least one dipole array configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material.

Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 μm and about 30 μm and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 μm and about 30 μm and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

An alumina ceramic integrated hot press molding machine and working method thereof, including a pressing and hot pressing device fixed accordingly on a rack, a stirring device inside the hot pressing device, and a hot pressing mold above the hot pressing device; the pressing device enables one path of high-pressure air to act on the mold, and enables the other path to enter the hot pressing device, so the slurry flows into a cavity of the mold; the stirring device stirs the slurry inside the device, so alumina blanks are more evenly distributed therein; and temperature detection components for detecting the temperature of internal oil and the slurry at a slurry outlet are inside the hot pressing device, and the power of an electric heating device is adjusted and controlled in real time according to the temperature detected by the components, to achieve the purpose of accurate temperature control.

A die or piston of a spark plasma sintering apparatus, wherein the die or piston is made from graphite and the outer surfaces of the die or piston are coated with a silicon carbide layer with a thickness of 1 to 10 micrometres, the silicon carbide layer being further optionally coated with one or more other layer(s) made from a carbide other than silicon carbide chosen from hafnium carbide, tantalum carbide and titanium carbide, the other layer(s) each having a thickness of 1 to 10 micrometres. A spark plasma sintering (SPS) apparatus comprising the die and two of the pistons, defining a sintering, densification or assembly chamber capable of receiving a powder to be sintered, a part to be densified, or parts to be assembled. A method of sintering a powder, densifying a part, or assembling two parts by means of a method of spark plasma sintering (SPS) in an oxidising atmosphere, using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) apparatus.

A high temperature fastener including a bolt and a nut, where the bolt and the nut are constructed of an aluminum oxide ceramic material reinforced with silicon-carbide crystal whiskers or silicon nitride.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a sintering apparatus for selectively applying electric current, comprising: a mold provided with a space for accommodating a target object; a punch for uniaxially pressing the space of the mold; an electric controller provided at an end of the punch opposite to the pressing direction; an electrode unit in contact with the electric controller; and a heater extending from the electrode unit so as to heat the mold, wherein the mold and the punch are formed with a conductor.

Sintering apparatus, having an electrically conductive die with a receiving space provided for receiving a sintering material to be sintered, a first adjusting device and a mold punch adjustably moved by the first adjusting device into a pressing position, in which, for the purpose of the mechanical pressurization of the sintering material with a first compressive force, the at mold punch is dipped axially into the receiving space. A resistance heating device is configured to heat the die by applying an electric current to the die. Assigned to the resistance heating device are a second adjusting device and a contact punch be adjustably moved by the second adjusting device into a contact position, in which, for applying an electric current to the die, the contact punch is pressed against an outer surface of the die with a second compressive force.

Improved process for producing a component constituting an interconnector of an HTE electrolyser or of an SOFC fuel cell. The invention relates to a process for preparing a component (1), intended to constitute an interconnector for a fuel cell (SOFC) or a high-temperature electrolyser (HTE), comprising the following steps: a/preparing a substrate made of metal alloy (12), the base element of which is iron (Fe) or nickel (Ni), the substrate having two main flat faces, b/tape casting a thick ceramic layer (13); c/localized removal at one or more locations (14), of material of the tape-cast thick ceramic layer; d/hot pressing the green thick ceramic layer tape; e/grooving the thick ceramic layer so as to delimit channels that are suitable for distributing and/or collecting gases. It also relates to the component obtained according to the process.

A ceramic lithium indium diselenide or like radiation detector device formed as a pressed material that exhibits scintillation properties substantially identical to a corresponding single crystal growth radiation detector device, exhibiting the intrinsic property of the chemical compound, with an acceptable decrease in light output, but at a markedly lower cost due to the time savings associated with pressing versus single crystal growth.