The present invention relates to a honeycomb structured body including a honeycomb fired body in which multiple through-holes are arranged longitudinally in parallel with one another with a partition wall therebetween, wherein the honeycomb fired body is an extrudate containing ceria-zirconia composite oxide particles and alumina particles, and when the pore size of the partition wall of the honeycomb fired body is measured by mercury porosimetry, and the measurement results are shown as a pore size distribution curve with pore size (m) on the horizontal axis and log differential pore volume (ml) on the vertical axis, at least one peak is present in each of the pore size ranges of 0.01 to 0.1 m and 0.1 to 5 m.

An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.

A fluorescent member includes: a plurality of fluorescent particles; an inorganic binder; and a plurality of pores. An upper surface of the fluorescent member is a light extraction surface of the fluorescent member. The plurality of pores are localized in a vicinity of at least one of the plurality of fluorescent particles in a cross section that is parallel to the upper surface of the fluorescent member and extends through the fluorescent particles and the pores.

A fluorescent member includes: a plurality of fluorescent particles; an inorganic binder; and a plurality of pores. An upper surface of the fluorescent member is a light extraction surface of the fluorescent member. The plurality of pores are localized in a vicinity of at least one of the plurality of fluorescent particles in a cross section that is parallel to the upper surface of the fluorescent member and extends through the fluorescent particles and the pores.

Hydrophobic shaped silica bodies having low density and low thermal conductivity are produced by forming a dispersion of silica in a solution of binder and organic solvent, and removing the solvent and shaping to form a shaped body. The shaped bodies retain their hydrophobicity, are stable with regards to shape, and are useful in acoustic and thermal insulation.

Hydrophobic shaped silica bodies having low density and low thermal conductivity are produced by forming a dispersion of silica in a solution of binder and organic solvent, and removing the solvent and shaping to form a shaped body. The shaped bodies retain their hydrophobicity, are stable with regards to shape, and are useful in acoustic and thermal insulation.

Methods of manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb body having a honeycomb structure with a matrix of intersecting walls, and a skin disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the matrix where the skin has a first average porosity and the interior portion of the matrix has a second average porosity that is greater than the first average porosity. The methods include coating at least the skin with a fluid formulation containing a sintering aid and subsequently firing the honeycomb structure. In certain embodiments, a glass layer is formed in the skin or in regions of the walls directly adjacent to the skin. In certain embodiments, the coating is applied to a green honeycomb structure, and in other embodiments the coating is applied to a ceramic honeycomb structure. Other honeycomb bodies and methods are described.

Methods of manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb body having a honeycomb structure with a matrix of intersecting walls, and a skin disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the matrix where the skin has a first average porosity and the interior portion of the matrix has a second average porosity that is greater than the first average porosity. The methods include coating at least the skin with a fluid formulation containing a sintering aid and subsequently firing the honeycomb structure. In certain embodiments, a glass layer is formed in the skin or in regions of the walls directly adjacent to the skin. In certain embodiments, the coating is applied to a green honeycomb structure, and in other embodiments the coating is applied to a ceramic honeycomb structure. Other honeycomb bodies and methods are described.

An apparatus for preparing foam for incorporation into cementitious slurry comprises a conduit having an inlet for receiving a gas feed and a surfactant feed, and an outlet for allowing the exit of foam. The conduit houses a porous plug that provides a partial barrier to fluid flow along the conduit, the plug comprising a plurality of particles that are packed in a regular array and that define a three-dimensional network of pores extending therebetween. The apparatus comprises a resilient component located between the plug and the conduit.