In an aspect, provided herein are low density materials, including shell-based materials, with three-dimensional architectures formed, in part, via self-assembly processes. Shell-based materials of some embodiments exhibit a combination of ultralow density (e.g., ≤100 mg cm.sup.−3 and optionally ≤10 100 mg cm.sup.−3) and non-periodic architectures characterized by low defect densities and geometries avoiding stress concentrations. Low density shell based materials of some embodiments have architectures characterized by small curvatures and lack of straight edges providing enhance mechanical response. In some embodiments, for example, the present low density materials, including shell-based materials, providing a combination target mechanical properties including high stiffness-to-density ratios, mechanical resilience and tolerance for deformation.

A porous fired granulated body is formed by consolidating numerous alumina particles to each other while letting mainly interconnected pores remain in network form across an entire cross section of a granulated body particle. The pores have an inner diameter controlled by a droplet diameter of a pore forming agent and have numerous precipitated alumina crystals formed on inner surfaces thereof. Manufacture is performed by spraying the pore forming agent (emulsion) onto a raw material to form a coating layer of the pore forming agent on a surface of the raw material particle and controlling the inner diameter of the pores. A porous fired granulated body of alumina having a high specific surface area and having higher strength for the same specific surface area can thus be provided by a simple manufacturing method.

A sliding member has pore-dense portions in which pores are densely packed on a sliding surface of a main body made of a ceramic.

The use of a desiccant for influencing the density of a curable binder composition including a) at least one organic binder including a polyisocyanate and a polyol, and b) at least 50% by weight of an inorganic filler F, more particularly in the form of quartz aggregates and/or slag, the proportions by weight being based on 100% by weight of the binder composition.

A sintered ceramic body having at least one surface, the sintered ceramic body having a first crystalline phase comprising Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and from 8 vol. % to 20 vol. % of a second crystalline phase comprising ZrO.sub.2, wherein the first crystalline phase is a continuous matrix and the second crystalline phase is dispersed in the continuous matrix, wherein the sintered ceramic body has pores wherein the pores have a maximum pore size of from 0.1 to 5 μm as measured by SEM, wherein sintered ceramic body exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion of from 6.899 to 9.630×10.sup.6/° C. across a temperature range of from 25-200° C. to 25-1400° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM E228-17, wherein the sintered ceramic body has a relative density of from 99% to 100% and has a density variation of from 0.2 to less than 5% across a greatest dimension.

Composites of silicon and various porous scaffold materials, such as carbon material comprising micro-, meso- and/or macropores, and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

Composites of silicon and various porous scaffold materials, such as carbon material comprising micro-, meso- and/or macropores, and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

A precursor mixture for producing a porous body, wherein the precursor mixture comprises: (i) at least one milled alpha alumina powder having a particle size of 0.1 to 6 microns, (ii) non-silicate powder that functions as a binder of the alpha alumina powders, and (iii) at least one burnout material having a particle size of 1-10 microns and a decomposition temperature of less than 550° C., with the proviso that a burnout material having a decomposition temperature of 550° C. or greater is excluded from the precursor mixture.

A precursor mixture for producing a porous body, wherein the precursor mixture comprises: (i) at least one milled alpha alumina powder having a particle size of 0.1 to 6 microns, (ii) non-silicate powder that functions as a binder of the alpha alumina powders, and (iii) at least one burnout material having a particle size of 1-10 microns and a decomposition temperature of less than 550° C., with the proviso that a burnout material having a decomposition temperature of 550° C. or greater is excluded from the precursor mixture.

A method for producing a granular material from sintered magnesia by sintering of pressed articles, in particular pellets, from MgO powder, preferably from caustic MgO powder, and subsequent mechanical comminution of the pressed articles, the sintering being carried out in such a way that the granular material has a grain porosity (total porosity), according to DIN EN 993-1:1195-04 and DIN EN 993-18:1999-01, of from 15 to 38 vol %, preferably 20 to 38 vol %. Also, a batch for producing a coarse ceramic, refractory, shaped or unshaped product containing the porous sintered magnesia, to such a product produced from the batch and to a method for its production, to a lining, in particular a working casing and/or a backing, of a large-volume industrial furnace, the lining, in particular the working casing and/or the backing, having at least one such product, as well as to such an industrial furnace.