A method and system for forming vertical wall construction units in one or more provided forms provides environmentally-manageable construction with reduced labor burden over existing non-traditional construction techniques. The method is a method of operation of the system, which includes a programmable controller, a reciprocating tamper head, a positioner that is guided to position the tamper head, and a filling mechanism for introducing loose material to a form in pre-determined layer volumes to provide loose material for individual layers of the prefabricated vertical construction unit. The programmable controller operates the filling mechanism to introduce the loose material for the current layer, then operates the three-axis positioner to guide the reciprocating tamper head over a horizontal cross-section of the form at a height determined for the current layer and along a program-determined path to compact the current layer. The process is repeated until the compacted material reaches a programmed height.

A module and process for forming a ceramic fluidic module (300) that includes a unified closed-porosity ceramic body (200) and a tortuous fluid passage (P) that extends through the body (200). The body (200) has a first mean density within a first layer (222) that is greater than a second mean density within a second layer (226). The first and second layers (222, 226) are axially serially arranged between opposed major surfaces (228, 229) of the body (200). The fluid passage (P) adjoins the first layer (222) of the body (200). The process includes pressing a first volume of ceramic powder (120) to form a pre-pressed body (150). A passage mold (130) is then positioned on the pre-pressed body (150). The pre-pressed body (150) and the passage mold (130) are then covered with a second volume of ceramic powder (125). The body (150), the mold (130), and the second volume of ceramic powder (125) are then pressed to form a pressed body (160). The pressed body (160) is heated and sintered to form the ceramic fluidic module (300).

A module and process for forming a ceramic fluidic module (300) that includes a unified closed-porosity ceramic body (200) and a tortuous fluid passage (P) that extends through the body (200). The body (200) has a first mean density within a first layer (222) that is greater than a second mean density within a second layer (226). The first and second layers (222, 226) are axially serially arranged between opposed major surfaces (228, 229) of the body (200). The fluid passage (P) adjoins the first layer (222) of the body (200). The process includes pressing a first volume of ceramic powder (120) to form a pre-pressed body (150). A passage mold (130) is then positioned on the pre-pressed body (150). The pre-pressed body (150) and the passage mold (130) are then covered with a second volume of ceramic powder (125). The body (150), the mold (130), and the second volume of ceramic powder (125) are then pressed to form a pressed body (160). The pressed body (160) is heated and sintered to form the ceramic fluidic module (300).

A method for preparing a shell-bionic ceramic tool and a shell-bionic ceramic tool, wherein the shell-bionic ceramic tool includes alternating stacks of ceramic powders with different components, pressing a ceramic green body using a cold briquetting method, carrying out pre-pressing once using a graphite indenter on a working surface thereof after each layer of the ceramic powder being loaded, and pressing a last layer using a graphite rod, and then pressing a whole ceramic green body with a certain pressure to promote a bonding of the layers of ceramic powder, which in turn gives a complex shape to an interface between the layers, increases a bonding area between the layers, and plays the role of hindering crack expansion, extending the crack expansion path, and improving the bonding strength of the interface; after then, hot-pressed sintering is used to densify the ceramic green body to obtain the shell-bionic ceramic tool.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing pavement elements made of concrete for manufacturing concrete paving stones or concrete slabs by a paving stone machine. The pavement elements are produced as multi-layer pavement elements {1} and have at least one core concrete layer manufactured from a core concrete and at least one face concrete layer manufactured from a face concrete. In the method, the core concrete is introduced into at least one mold and compressed. Subsequently the face concrete is additionally introduced onto the compressed core concrete and is likewise compressed, and the core concrete and the face concrete are cured.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing pavement elements made of concrete for manufacturing concrete paving stones or concrete slabs by a paving stone machine. The pavement elements are produced as multi-layer pavement elements {1} and have at least one core concrete layer manufactured from a core concrete and at least one face concrete layer manufactured from a face concrete. In the method, the core concrete is introduced into at least one mold and compressed. Subsequently the face concrete is additionally introduced onto the compressed core concrete and is likewise compressed, and the core concrete and the face concrete are cured.

Disclosed is a multilayer sintered ceramic body comprising at least one first layer comprising polycrystalline YAG, wherein the at least one first layer has at least one surface; and at least one second layer comprising magnesium aluminate spinel, wherein the at least one surface of the at least one first layer comprises pores wherein the pores have a maximum size of from 0.1 to 5 pm as measured by SEM, and wherein each of the at least one first layer and the at least one second layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion (GTE), wherein the GTE of the at least one first layer and the GTE of the at least one second layer differ from 0 to 0.610.sup.6/ C. Methods of making are also disclosed.