A method of infusing silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) in a crystalline state into a structure comprising SiO.sub.2 in a non-crystalline amorphous state is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first material comprising SiO.sub.2 is heated to a melting point, converting the SiO.sub.2 from a crystalline state into a non-crystalline amorphous state. A second material comprising SiO.sub.2 is then applied to the first material while the first material is at a temperature that is hot enough to render the first material pliable, but not so hot as to convert the SiO.sub.2 in the second material from a crystalline state into a non-crystalline state. The first material is then cooled slowly over a period of time to relieve internal stresses introduced during the manufacturing process.

Fabricating a shaped optical element for refracting light can include placing a first material having a first glass transition temperature in a mold, and compressing and heating the first material to form a first optical element, the first optical element having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method can also include placing a second material in the mold adjacent to the first surface of the first optical element, the second material having a second glass transition temperature that is different than the first glass transition temperature, and compressing and heating the second material to form a second optical element having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, wherein the first surface of the first optical element and the third surface of the second optical element are bonded together as a result of compressing and heating the second optical element.

Fabricating a shaped optical element for refracting light can include placing a first material having a first glass transition temperature in a mold, and compressing and heating the first material to form a first optical element, the first optical element having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method can also include placing a second material in the mold adjacent to the first surface of the first optical element, the second material having a second glass transition temperature that is different than the first glass transition temperature, and compressing and heating the second material to form a second optical element having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, wherein the first surface of the first optical element and the third surface of the second optical element are bonded together as a result of compressing and heating the second optical element.

In a machine for forming glass articles, at least one forming mold is at least partially closed at the top by a dedicated closing element, the height position of which is continuously adjusted according to the height of the mold by a mechanical transmission that is motorized or manually operable from the outside.

In a machine for forming glass articles, at least one forming mold is at least partially closed at the top by a dedicated closing element, the height position of which is continuously adjusted according to the height of the mold by a mechanical transmission that is motorized or manually operable from the outside.

Provided is a method of producing a glass-ceramic blank including: preparing plural glass-ceramic powders, laminating the glass-ceramic powders, so that colors of any adjacent layers of the powders are the same as or approximate to each other, and so that said any adjacent layers are different in total light transmittance, and pressure-molding the laminated powders; heating, at 500° C. to 800° C., a laminate obtained by the pressure molding to degrease the laminate; immersing an entire of the laminate after the degreasing in a colorant solution including a single-colored metal ion; and heat-treating, at higher than 750° C. and 1000° C. or lower, the laminate having immersed in the colorant solution.

Provided is a method of producing a glass-ceramic blank including: preparing plural glass-ceramic powders, laminating the glass-ceramic powders, so that colors of any adjacent layers of the powders are the same as or approximate to each other, and so that said any adjacent layers are different in total light transmittance, and pressure-molding the laminated powders; heating, at 500° C. to 800° C., a laminate obtained by the pressure molding to degrease the laminate; immersing an entire of the laminate after the degreasing in a colorant solution including a single-colored metal ion; and heat-treating, at higher than 750° C. and 1000° C. or lower, the laminate having immersed in the colorant solution.

A method for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite structure. A core having an ordered structure is fabricated of a preceramic polymer and pyrolyzed. Facesheets, either uncured or cured, are placed on the core (with a bonding layer of preceramic polymer resin if the facesheets are cured) and the assembly is cured and pyrolyzed. The pyrolyzed assembly is re-infiltrated with preceramic polymer resin and re-pyrolyzed. The cycle of re-infiltration and re-pyrolyzation is repeated until the mass gain per cycle stabilizes.

A method for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite structure. A core having an ordered structure is fabricated of a preceramic polymer and pyrolyzed. Facesheets, either uncured or cured, are placed on the core (with a bonding layer of preceramic polymer resin if the facesheets are cured) and the assembly is cured and pyrolyzed. The pyrolyzed assembly is re-infiltrated with preceramic polymer resin and re-pyrolyzed. The cycle of re-infiltration and re-pyrolyzation is repeated until the mass gain per cycle stabilizes.

Dental restorations such as crowns, are made from lithium silicate glass ceramic that is heated and pressed onto a metal substrate, the latter being shaped to an impression or scan of the area of the mouth to receive the restoration. The metal substrate is made from an alloy selected to exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion which is slightly greater than the CTE of the lithium silicate. In a preferred embodiment, the CTE of the lithium silicate glass ceramic is in the range of 11.5 to 12.5 and the alloy is selected to have a CTE of 12 to 13.5. A palladium tin alloy provides that CTE in the preferred embodiment.