The invention relates to a porous zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the porous zirconia article comprising ZrO.sub.2: 80 to 87 wt. %, Y.sub.2O.sub.3: 3 to 5 wt. %, Al.sub.2O.sub.3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the porous zirconia article being characterized by a BET surface from 15 to 100 m.sup.2/g. The invention also relates to a sintered zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the sintered zirconia article comprising ZrO.sub.2: 80 to 87 wt. %, Y.sub.2O.sub.3: 3 to 5 wt. %, Al.sub.2O.sub.3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the sintered zirconia article being characterized by a corundum crystal phase content of 7 to 12 wt. % and a flexural strength of at least 2,000 MPa.

Provided are a ceramic complex capable of improving the luminous efficiency, a projector comprising a ceramic complex, and a method for producing a ceramic complex. Proposed is a ceramic complex including a rare earth aluminate fluorescent material having an average particle diameter in a range of 15 μm or more and 40 μm or less, aluminum oxide having a purity of aluminum oxide of 99.0% by mass or more, and voids, wherein the content of the rare earth aluminate fluorescent material is in a range of 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less relative to a total amount of the rare earth aluminate fluorescent material and the aluminum oxide, and a void fraction is in a range of 1% or more and 10% or less.

Provided are a ceramic complex capable of improving the luminous efficiency, a projector comprising a ceramic complex, and a method for producing a ceramic complex. Proposed is a ceramic complex including a rare earth aluminate fluorescent material having an average particle diameter in a range of 15 μm or more and 40 μm or less, aluminum oxide having a purity of aluminum oxide of 99.0% by mass or more, and voids, wherein the content of the rare earth aluminate fluorescent material is in a range of 15% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less relative to a total amount of the rare earth aluminate fluorescent material and the aluminum oxide, and a void fraction is in a range of 1% or more and 10% or less.

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.

There is provided a coral-like composite material comprising highly dispersed conductive metal nitride, metal carbide or metal carbonitride nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon nanosheets, and a method of preparing the same. There is also provided a coating material for a modified separator of a lithium-sulfur battery comprising the coral-like composite material as described herein, a conducting carbon material and a binder, and a method of preparing the same.

There is provided a coral-like composite material comprising highly dispersed conductive metal nitride, metal carbide or metal carbonitride nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon nanosheets, and a method of preparing the same. There is also provided a coating material for a modified separator of a lithium-sulfur battery comprising the coral-like composite material as described herein, a conducting carbon material and a binder, and a method of preparing the same.

Methods of forming a carbon fiber reinforced carbon foam are provided. Such a method may comprise heating a porous body composed of a solid material comprising covalently bound carbon atoms and heteroatoms and having a surface defining pores distributed throughout the solid material, in the presence of an added source of gaseous hydrocarbons. The heating generates free radicals in the porous body from the heteroatoms and induces reactions between the free radicals and the gaseous hydrocarbons to form covalently bound carbon nanofibers extending from the surface of the solid material and a network of entangled carbon microfibers within the pores the porous body, thereby forming a carbon fiber reinforced carbon foam. Carbon fiber reinforced carbon foams and ballistic barriers incorporating the foams are also provided.

Methods of forming a carbon fiber reinforced carbon foam are provided. Such a method may comprise heating a porous body composed of a solid material comprising covalently bound carbon atoms and heteroatoms and having a surface defining pores distributed throughout the solid material, in the presence of an added source of gaseous hydrocarbons. The heating generates free radicals in the porous body from the heteroatoms and induces reactions between the free radicals and the gaseous hydrocarbons to form covalently bound carbon nanofibers extending from the surface of the solid material and a network of entangled carbon microfibers within the pores the porous body, thereby forming a carbon fiber reinforced carbon foam. Carbon fiber reinforced carbon foams and ballistic barriers incorporating the foams are also provided.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.