An approach to seeker windows for aircraft comprises a window layer comprising an IR transparent material, the window layer comprising a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side; and a heating layer on the first side or the second side of the window layer, the heating layer configured to apply a heating profile to the window layer to reduce thermal shock imparted to the window layer when the seeker window is exposed to hypersonic flight conditions.

A heat insulating material includes an aerogel that has macro-pores and meso-pores. A method for manufacturing a heat insulating material, including: a sol preparation step of adding a gelling agent into sodium silicate such that a molar ratio of the gelling agent relative to NaO.sub.2 is 0.1 to 0.75, and adjusting a sol into which macro-pores are introduced by leaving unreacted Na and non-cross-linked oxygen in a siloxane skeleton; an impregnating and gelling step of impregnating a nonwoven fabric fiber structure with the sol to form a composite of hydrogel-nonwoven fabric fiber; a hydrophobizating step of mixing the formed composite of hydrogel-nonwoven fabric fiber with a silylating agent to modify a surface thereof; and a drying step of removing a liquid contained in the surface modified composite of hydrogel-nonwoven fabric fiber by drying under a temperature and pressure lower than respective critical values.

A sheathing material includes a layer of ceramic paper to help prevent the burning of the sheathing during a fire. The material may include insulation disposed between the ceramic paper and the substrate to further reduce damage to the substrate, and may include a thin layer of wood or paper placed over the ceramic paper to protect the ceramic paper and to allow the sheathing to be used in a manner similar to that of a conventional sheathing material.

A method for manufacturing a ceramic substrate containing glass includes a firing step in which an unfired silver-based conductor material is disposed on an unfired ceramic layer and is fired. The unfired silver-based conductor material contains at least one of a metal boride and a metal silicide.

A tubular structure including an outer tube an inner tube arranged within the outer tube and at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The tubular structure additionally includes at least one self-healing material arranged in the chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material.

A plastic substrate includes: a plastic support member having light transmittance; and a first organic-inorganic hybrid layer on the plastic support member. The first organic-inorganic hybrid layer includes: a first organic-inorganic hybrid matrix; and ions implanted into the first organic-inorganic hybrid matrix at a side opposite to a side adjacent the plastic support member. An amount of the ions per unit area is in a range from about 2×10.sup.13/cm.sup.2 to about 2×10.sup.14/cm.sup.2.

A process for applying an anti-fragmentation system to manufactured articles made of natural stone or ceramic, and a respective manufactured article equipped with such an anti-fragmentation system, which is provided with at least one retaining member having an adhesive surface, and a manufactured article in the form of a slab and having a first, visible surface with a respective ornamental appearance, and a second, non-visible surface opposite to said first surface; the retaining member is associated with the manufactured article by joining the adhesive surface to said second surface.

A thermal vacuum insulation element (10) comprising a first planar limiting part (12) and a second planar limiting part (14). The limiting parts are spaced apart from each other and define an evacuated space (16) between them. The evacuated space (16) is sealed by means (26) for sealing. The vacuum insulation element includes first support elements (18) extending away from the first limiting part (12) into the evacuated space (16) and second support elements (20) extending away from the second limiting part (14) into the evacuated space (16), the limiting parts (12, 14) being arranged with the support elements (18, 20) such that the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20) protrude beyond and are spaced from each other. The first support elements (18) are spaced from the second limiting part (14), and the second support elements (20) are spaced from the first limiting part (12). A fiber structure (22) interconnects the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20). The fiber structure (22) has a low thermal conductivity and is configured to absorb at least the pressure caused by the vacuum on the first and second limiting parts (12, 14).

Ceramic and stone tiles are shown, which are provided with a locking system including a separate strip part connected to vertical and horizontal grooves formed in the tile edge. A set of ceramic or stone tiles including a first tile provided with a first edge and a second tile provided with a second edge wherein the tiles are provided with a locking system for locking the first edge to the second edge in a horizontal direction parallel with a tile surface and in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, said locking system includes a first and a second tongue and a strip part provided with a first and a second locking element.

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for particle sorting, including cell sorting, using microfluidics cartridges and microchips and the manufacture of the microfluidics cartridges and microchips by high-throughput approaches. Such methods, devices, and systems can be used to identify, sort, and collect a subset of particles or a single particle from a sample. The capability to manufacture such microfluidic tools in high volume may lower production costs and allow for the microfluidic tools to be used as consumables.