The polymer film of the present invention has through holes extending from one principal surface of the polymer film to the other principal surface of the polymer film. The through holes are straight holes having a central axis extending straight, and have a shape in which the area of a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis increases from the one principal surface of the polymer film toward the other principal surface. This polymer film has passages in its thickness direction, has an unconventional structure, and can be used in various applications, such as in a waterproof sound-permeable membrane, in a waterproof gas-permeable membrane, and in a suction sheet. The ratio a/b of the opening diameter a of the through holes at the one principal surface to the opening diameter b of the through holes at the other principal surface is 80% or is less than 80%.

The polymer film of the present invention has through holes extending from one principal surface of the polymer film to the other principal surface of the polymer film. The through holes are straight holes having a central axis extending straight, and have a shape in which the area of a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis increases from the one principal surface of the polymer film toward the other principal surface. This polymer film has passages in its thickness direction, has an unconventional structure, and can be used in various applications, such as in a waterproof sound-permeable membrane, in a waterproof gas-permeable membrane, and in a suction sheet. The ratio a/b of the opening diameter a of the through holes at the one principal surface to the opening diameter b of the through holes at the other principal surface is 80% or is less than 80%.

The present invention relates to a combined warmer and seat fumigator using bioceramics and, more specifically, to a combined warmer and seat fumigator using bioceramics, the combined warmer and seat fumigator being capable of carrying out both thermotherapy and fumigation therapy, having excellent heat insulation, ultralight weight, nonflammability, low gas toxicity, thermal conductivity and deodorizability, and having immune function improvement and inflammation alleviation efficacy through far infrared ray emissivity, radiant energy, anion generation and antibacterial ability.

The invention provides a shuttle kiln that can fire ceramic porous bodies containing organic binders in a shorter period of time than in conventional methods without occurring breaks due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside. The shuttle kiln of the invention is suited for firing of ceramic porous bodies containing organic binders. It includes a gas suction path 4 that suctions in-furnace gas and discharges it via an afterburner 5 and a circulation path 7 that suctions the in-furnace gas to the furnace outside to burn organic binder gas and then returns it into the furnace.

The invention provides a shuttle kiln that can fire ceramic porous bodies containing organic binders in a shorter period of time than in conventional methods without occurring breaks due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside. The shuttle kiln of the invention is suited for firing of ceramic porous bodies containing organic binders. It includes a gas suction path 4 that suctions in-furnace gas and discharges it via an afterburner 5 and a circulation path 7 that suctions the in-furnace gas to the furnace outside to burn organic binder gas and then returns it into the furnace.

The present disclosure is directed to a rapid process for the preparation of gadolinium oxysulfide having a general formula of Gd.sub.2O.sub.2S, referred to as GOS, scintillation ceramics by using the combination of spark plasma primary sintering (SPS) and hot isostatic pressing secondary sintering.

A method for making a thin ceramic part involves making a casting slurry including a ceramic powder, a solvent, a binder, a plasticizer, and a dispersant. The casting slurry is tape casted to achieve a single layer green tape. At least two single layer green tapes are laminated to form a green tape lamination. The green tape lamination is dry pressed, dried, shaped, degreased, and fired to achieve the exterior component required.

A filter material composing a ceramic clay having an interconnected network of pores formed from cellulose fiber combustion is useful for removing chemical and biological contaminants from a water supply. Coating the ceramic clay with lanthanum enhances the removal of anionic species of As(V), As(III), Cr(VI), microbes and virus.

A filter material composing a ceramic clay having an interconnected network of pores formed from cellulose fiber combustion is useful for removing chemical and biological contaminants from a water supply. Coating the ceramic clay with lanthanum enhances the removal of anionic species of As(V), As(III), Cr(VI), microbes and virus.

An insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product are provided. Likewise the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product are provided.