A method of making a ceramic fiber tow and the system regarding the same may be included. The method may include commingling a plurality of ceramic fibers with a fugitive fiber to form a single ceramic fiber tow. The fugitive fiber may be positioned between at least two ceramic fibers included in the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include forming a porous ceramic preform including at least the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include removing the fugitive fiber from the ceramic fiber tow leaving a space between at least two ceramic fibers of the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include replacing the spaces between ceramic fibers included in the ceramic fiber tows with a ceramic matrix.

A method of making a ceramic fiber tow and the system regarding the same may be included. The method may include commingling a plurality of ceramic fibers with a fugitive fiber to form a single ceramic fiber tow. The fugitive fiber may be positioned between at least two ceramic fibers included in the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include forming a porous ceramic preform including at least the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include removing the fugitive fiber from the ceramic fiber tow leaving a space between at least two ceramic fibers of the single ceramic fiber tow. The method may further include replacing the spaces between ceramic fibers included in the ceramic fiber tows with a ceramic matrix.

A porous ceramic structure intended to form the reinforcement of a ceramic matrix composite component, the structure having a connected porosity delimited by an internal surface which includes a plurality of first points, each first point being associated with a second point aligned with this first point along a normal to the internal surface taken at the first point, the structure being divisible into a plurality of unit volumes of a size less than or equal to 5 mm3 in each of which: a characteristic pore length, corresponding to the maximum of the distance separating each first point from its associated second point, is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and a porosity ratio is greater than or equal to 50%.

A porous ceramic structure intended to form the reinforcement of a ceramic matrix composite component, the structure having a connected porosity delimited by an internal surface which includes a plurality of first points, each first point being associated with a second point aligned with this first point along a normal to the internal surface taken at the first point, the structure being divisible into a plurality of unit volumes of a size less than or equal to 5 mm3 in each of which: a characteristic pore length, corresponding to the maximum of the distance separating each first point from its associated second point, is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and a porosity ratio is greater than or equal to 50%.

A monolithic carbon foam formed of fused onion-like carbon (OLC) nanoparticles, in which the monolithic carbon foam contains interconnected pores, has a volumetric micropore surface area of 200 m.sup.2/cc-600 m.sup.2/cc, and has an electrical conductivity of 20 cm- 140 S/cm. Also disclosed are a fractal carbon foam prepared from the monolithic carbon foam, methods of preparing both foams, and supercapacitors constructed therefrom. Specifically, the methods of preparing the foams comprising, inter alia, spark plasma sintering the OLC nanoparticles at a pressure of 30 MPa-1000 MPa and a temperature of 300° C.-800° C. for 2 seconds-30 minutes.

A monolithic carbon foam formed of fused onion-like carbon (OLC) nanoparticles, in which the monolithic carbon foam contains interconnected pores, has a volumetric micropore surface area of 200 m.sup.2/cc-600 m.sup.2/cc, and has an electrical conductivity of 20 cm- 140 S/cm. Also disclosed are a fractal carbon foam prepared from the monolithic carbon foam, methods of preparing both foams, and supercapacitors constructed therefrom. Specifically, the methods of preparing the foams comprising, inter alia, spark plasma sintering the OLC nanoparticles at a pressure of 30 MPa-1000 MPa and a temperature of 300° C.-800° C. for 2 seconds-30 minutes.

A method of making a refractory article is provided. The method includes: a) mixing a binder system, a refractory charge, and a second colloidal binder to form an aqueous slurry; b) casting the aqueous slurry into a mold; c) subjecting the mold containing the aqueous slurry to a temperature that is lower than a slurry casting temperature for a time sufficient to form a green strength article; and d) firing the green strength article at a temperature of at least 450° C. for a time sufficient to achieve thermal homogeneity, thereby forming a refractory article. Refractory articles made in accordance with the method have a unique combination of pore structure and mechanical properties.

A method of making a refractory article is provided. The method includes: a) mixing a binder system, a refractory charge, and a second colloidal binder to form an aqueous slurry; b) casting the aqueous slurry into a mold; c) subjecting the mold containing the aqueous slurry to a temperature that is lower than a slurry casting temperature for a time sufficient to form a green strength article; and d) firing the green strength article at a temperature of at least 450° C. for a time sufficient to achieve thermal homogeneity, thereby forming a refractory article. Refractory articles made in accordance with the method have a unique combination of pore structure and mechanical properties.

An open cell set gypsum core includes an interlocking matrix of gypsum having air voids distributed therein. The air voids define cells having cell walls formed by the interlocking matrix. The interlocking matrix further includes channels distributed therein. The channels interconnect the air voids and comprise openings in the cell walls.

An open cell set gypsum core includes an interlocking matrix of gypsum having air voids distributed therein. The air voids define cells having cell walls formed by the interlocking matrix. The interlocking matrix further includes channels distributed therein. The channels interconnect the air voids and comprise openings in the cell walls.