A process is provided for producing a structure into which blood or other bio-fluids can flow by capillary action, e.g. for a whole blood microsampling probe. The process comprises mixing particles of novolak resin and particles of hydrocarbon polymer, producing an uncarbonized structure from the mixture by pressurised moulding and carbonizing the moulded structure, the hydrocarbon resin being a polymer such as polystyrene that on pyrolysis has a zero carbon yield, and the particles of the hydrocarbon polymer leaving voids in the carbonized structure of sufficient size for flow of whole blood into and through the structure. The particles may be of partly cured and milled novolak resin, the novolak particles when in the moulded structure not exhibiting bulk flow during carbonization but sintering at inter-particle contact points during carbonization to provide a consolidated structure. In this variant, ethylene glycol may be used as a sintering aid. Alternatively, the particles may be of fully cured and milled novolak resin, and are mixed with the hydrocarbon polymer , the lubricant and with a binder such as lignin for providing a consolidated structure.

Various implementations and embodiments relate to three-dimensional open cellular diamond micro-truss structures and methods.

Various implementations and embodiments relate to three-dimensional open cellular diamond micro-truss structures and methods.

Provided is a lithium complex oxide sintered plate for use in a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery. The lithium complex oxide sintered plate has a structure in which a plurality of primary grains having a layered rock-salt structure are bonded, and has a porosity of 3 to 40%, a mean pore diameter of 15 μm or less, an open porosity of 70% or more, and a thickness of 15 to 200 μm. The plurality of primary grains has a primary grain diameter, i.e., a mean diameter of the primary grains, of 20 μm or less and a mean tilt angle of more than 0° to 30° or less. The mean tilt angle is a mean value of the angles defined by the (003) planes of the primary grains and the plate face of the lithium complex oxide sintered plate.

Provided is a lithium complex oxide sintered plate for use in a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery. The lithium complex oxide sintered plate has a structure in which a plurality of primary grains having a layered rock-salt structure are bonded, and has a porosity of 3 to 40%, a mean pore diameter of 15 μm or less, an open porosity of 70% or more, and a thickness of 15 to 200 μm. The plurality of primary grains has a primary grain diameter, i.e., a mean diameter of the primary grains, of 20 μm or less and a mean tilt angle of more than 0° to 30° or less. The mean tilt angle is a mean value of the angles defined by the (003) planes of the primary grains and the plate face of the lithium complex oxide sintered plate.

Provided is a lithium titanate sintered plate for use in a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery. The lithium titanate sintered plate has a structure in which a plurality of primary grains are bonded, and has: a thickness of 10 to 290 μm; a primary grain diameter of 0.70 μm or less, the primary grain diameter being a mean grain diameter of the primary grains; a porosity of 21 to 45%; an open pore rate of 60% or more; a mean pore aspect ratio of 1.15 or more; a ratio of 30% or more of pores having an aspect ratio of 1.30 or more to all the pores; and a mean pore diameter of 0.70 μm or less, wherein volume-based D10 and D90 pore diameters satisfy the relationship: 4.0≤D90/D10≤50.

Provided is a lithium titanate sintered plate for use in a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery. The lithium titanate sintered plate has a structure in which a plurality of primary grains are bonded, and has: a thickness of 10 to 290 μm; a primary grain diameter of 0.70 μm or less, the primary grain diameter being a mean grain diameter of the primary grains; a porosity of 21 to 45%; an open pore rate of 60% or more; a mean pore aspect ratio of 1.15 or more; a ratio of 30% or more of pores having an aspect ratio of 1.30 or more to all the pores; and a mean pore diameter of 0.70 μm or less, wherein volume-based D10 and D90 pore diameters satisfy the relationship: 4.0≤D90/D10≤50.

A pillar shaped honeycomb structure, including: an outer peripheral wall; and a porous partition wall disposed inside the outer peripheral wall, the a porous partition wall defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells extending from one end face to other end face to form a flow path, wherein a surface of the porous partition wall in the cells comprise a collecting layer having an average pore diameter lower than that of the porous partition wall; and wherein magnetic particles having a Curie point of 700° C. or higher are provided either or both between the surfaces of the porous partition wall and the collecting layer, and on the collecting layer.

A pillar shaped honeycomb structure, including: an outer peripheral wall; and a porous partition wall disposed inside the outer peripheral wall, the a porous partition wall defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells extending from one end face to other end face to form a flow path, wherein a surface of the porous partition wall in the cells comprise a collecting layer having an average pore diameter lower than that of the porous partition wall; and wherein magnetic particles having a Curie point of 700° C. or higher are provided either or both between the surfaces of the porous partition wall and the collecting layer, and on the collecting layer.

The invention concerns a batch for the production of a refractory product, a process for the production of a refractory product, a refractory product as well as the use of a refractory product.