An alumina sintered body including an inner layer in which alumina crystal grains contained have an average aspect ratio of 1.0 to 2.0 and an outer layer which covers at least a part of the inner layer from outside and in which alumina crystal grains contained have an average aspect ratio of more than 2.0, the alumina sintered body being free from silicon except unavoidable impurities.

A method for manufacturing a ceramic member includes a mark process for forming a mark indicating information about a ceramic green body on the ceramic green body by using a mark material capable of being erased by a predetermined heat treatment; and a heat treatment process for erasing the mark by applying the ceramic green body to the predetermined heat treatment.

A crucible includes an outer element and an inner element. The outer element includes a first portion that is horizontal at a bottom end of the crucible and a second portion that ascends radially outwardly from the bottom end of the crucible to a top end of the crucible at a first acute angle to a vertical axis. The inner element includes a conus with a cylinder at a base of the conus. The conus descends radially outwardly from the top end of the crucible to the bottom end of the crucible at a second acute angle to the vertical axis. The inner element includes a base portion of the cylinder attached to the first portion of the outer element using a sealant to form a hollow mold between an inner portion of the outer element and an outer portion of the inner element.

A crucible includes an outer element and an inner element. The outer element includes a first portion that is horizontal at a bottom end of the crucible and a second portion that ascends radially outwardly from the bottom end of the crucible to a top end of the crucible at a first acute angle to a vertical axis. The inner element includes a conus with a cylinder at a base of the conus. The conus descends radially outwardly from the top end of the crucible to the bottom end of the crucible at a second acute angle to the vertical axis. The inner element includes a base portion of the cylinder attached to the first portion of the outer element using a sealant to form a hollow mold between an inner portion of the outer element and an outer portion of the inner element.

A fabrication apparatus for fabricating ceramic structures of controlled size and composition is provided. The fabrication apparatus includes an additive manufacturing machine configured to dispense preceramic materials in a printed pattern, the printed pattern corresponding to the ceramic structures of the controlled size and composition, a radiation emitter configured to emit curing radiation toward the printed pattern to cure the preceramic materials and a lamp element configured to shine light on the preceramic materials to convert the preceramic materials to ceramics.

A fabrication apparatus for fabricating ceramic structures of controlled size and composition is provided. The fabrication apparatus includes an additive manufacturing machine configured to dispense preceramic materials in a printed pattern, the printed pattern corresponding to the ceramic structures of the controlled size and composition, a radiation emitter configured to emit curing radiation toward the printed pattern to cure the preceramic materials and a lamp element configured to shine light on the preceramic materials to convert the preceramic materials to ceramics.

Implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body having an external surface defining an outer profile of the device. The body includes a porous matrix including a series of interconnected macropores defined by a plurality of interconnected struts each including a hollow interior. A filler material substantially fills at least a portion of the series of interconnected macropores. The external surface of the body includes a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow interior of at least a portion of the plurality of interconnected struts. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the external surface includes exposed areas of the filler material and porous matrix in addition to the exposed openings. In another aspect, the porous matrix is formed from a bioresorbable ceramic and the filler material is a biologically stable polymeric material. Still, other aspects related to this and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body having an external surface defining an outer profile of the device. The body includes a porous matrix including a series of interconnected macropores defined by a plurality of interconnected struts each including a hollow interior. A filler material substantially fills at least a portion of the series of interconnected macropores. The external surface of the body includes a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow interior of at least a portion of the plurality of interconnected struts. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the external surface includes exposed areas of the filler material and porous matrix in addition to the exposed openings. In another aspect, the porous matrix is formed from a bioresorbable ceramic and the filler material is a biologically stable polymeric material. Still, other aspects related to this and other embodiments are also disclosed.

A ceramic honeycomb body having a skin that does not block partial cells extending from an inlet face to an outlet face at an outer periphery portion of the body. A method of making the ceramic honeycomb body having the skin includes disposing a sheet on an outer peripheral wall of a honeycomb core having an outer surface spaced apart from interiors of the partial cells and skinning the body having the sheet disposed thereon. Subsequent curing in the method bonds the skin to cell walls of the body spaced apart from interiors of the partial cells.

A modified aluminum nitride particle comprises an aluminum nitride core and a shell surrounding the aluminum nitride core. The shell comprises a crosslinked organic polymer. Methods of making the modified aluminum nitride particle by admicellar polymerization are also disclosed.