Described are molds that include a ceramic material at a surface, as well as methods of forming the molds, and methods of using the molds; the ceramic material is constituted substantially, mostly, or entirely of three elemental components designated M, A, and X; the M component is at least one transition metal; the A component is one or a combination of Si, Al, Ge, Pb, Sn, Ga, P, S, In, As, Tl, and Cd; and the X component is carbon, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

Provided is a glass composition comprising a glass frit containing P.sub.2O.sub.5, BaO, ZnO, group I-based oxide and group II-based oxide, wherein the P.sub.2O.sub.5 is contained in an amount of 20 wt % to 55 wt % based on a total weight of the glass frit, wherein each of the BaO and ZnO is contained in an amount of 2 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit, wherein the group I-based oxide is contained in an amount of 5 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit, wherein the group II-based oxide is contained in an amount of 1 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit.

Provided is a glass composition comprising a glass frit containing P.sub.2O.sub.5, BaO, ZnO, group I-based oxide and group II-based oxide, wherein the P.sub.2O.sub.5 is contained in an amount of 20 wt % to 55 wt % based on a total weight of the glass frit, wherein each of the BaO and ZnO is contained in an amount of 2 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit, wherein the group I-based oxide is contained in an amount of 5 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit, wherein the group II-based oxide is contained in an amount of 1 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the glass frit.

A structure for coupling an optical signal between an integrated circuit photonic structure and an external optical fiber is disclosed as in a method of formation. The coupling structure is sloped relative to a horizontal surface of the photonic structure such that light entering or leaving the photonic structure is substantially normal to its upper surface.

A formulation usable to produce plates and shaped bodies has a base slip, quartz glass particles and multicomponent glass particles that are crystallizable or at least partly crystallized. The base slip contains water as dispersion medium with a content between 30% and 50% by weight and ultrafine SiO.sub.2 particles distributed, preferably colloidally therein, with a proportion between 50% and 70% by weight. The proportion of quartz glass particles in the formulation is in the range from 40% to 70% by weight and the proportion the multicomponent glass particles in the formulation is in the range from 5% to 37% by weight. The formulation can be used in a composite material. Firing aids can be made from the composite material.

The present invention relates to granular composite density enhancement, and related methods and compositions. The application where these properties are valuable include but are not limited to: 1) additive manufacturing (3D printing) involving metallic, ceramic, cermet, polymer, plastic, or other dry or solvent-suspended powders or gels, 2) concrete materials, 3) solid propellant materials, 4) cermet materials, 5) granular armors, 6) glass-metal and glass-plastic mixtures, and 7) ceramics comprising (or manufactured using) granular composites.

The present invention relates to granular composite density enhancement, and related methods and compositions. The application where these properties are valuable include but are not limited to: 1) additive manufacturing (3D printing) involving metallic, ceramic, cermet, polymer, plastic, or other dry or solvent-suspended powders or gels, 2) concrete materials, 3) solid propellant materials, 4) cermet materials, 5) granular armors, 6) glass-metal and glass-plastic mixtures, and 7) ceramics comprising (or manufactured using) granular composites.

In some embodiments, an electrode can include a current collector, a composite material in electrical communication with the current collector, and at least one phase configured to adhere the composite material to the current collector. The current collector can include one or more layers of metal, and the composite material can include electrochemically active material. The at least one phase can include a compound of the metal and the electrochemically active material. In some embodiments, a composite material can include electrochemically active material. The composite material can also include at least one phase configured to bind electrochemically active particles of the electrochemically active material together. The at least one phase can include a compound of metal and the electrochemically active material.