The monolithic base is a porous alumina body that includes pores and that is configured by alumina particles as an aggregate and an oxide phase as a binding material. The alumina particles include microscopic alumina particles having a particle diameter of greater than or equal to 0.5 ?m and less than or equal to 5 ?m and coarse alumina particles having a particle diameter of greater than 5 ?m. The number of microscopic alumina particles that are encapsulated in the oxide phase is greater than or equal to 50% of the total number of microscopic alumina particles and coarse alumina particles.

The present invention relates to a novel process for producing ceramic materials, in particular refractory materials having a reduced relative density. In particular, the invention relates to a process for producing light, refractory materials having non-contiguous pores based on shaped and unshaped materials. These materials can be used as working lining in high-temperature applications. The process is based on the production of spherical, closed and isolated pores in the microstructure of the material. The pores having a pore diameter which can be set in a targeted manner are generated by use of polymer particles, in particular polymethacrylates, in particular polymers or copolymers prepared by means of suspension polymerization, as pore formers which can be burnt out. The polymers or copolymers are present in the form of small spheres having a defined diameter. The introduction of isolated spherical pores allows the production of ceramic materials having a sometimes significantly reduced relative density and improved corrosion resistance and better mechanical strength compared to the prior art. The specific, closed pore system at the same time contributes to reducing the thermal conductivity of the ceramic materials. In addition, the novel process has the advantage that there is no risk of formation of undesirable black cores, even in the production of thick-walled ceramic products.

Methods are provided for the encapsulation of living cells with a silica glass layer. The methods comprise adding a sol solution to cells in buffered media, forming a sol-gel layer on the cells and then diluting the media or removing the cells from the media.

A shape-stable structure that is configured to provide ablative cooling. The structure is used to form a component that includes shape-stable bulk structure and an ablative material. The bulk structure is infiltrated with the ablative material so that the ablative material is disposed in pathways defined by the bulk structure.

A shape-stable structure that is configured to provide ablative cooling. The structure is used to form a component that includes shape-stable bulk structure and an ablative material. The bulk structure is infiltrated with the ablative material so that the ablative material is disposed in pathways defined by the bulk structure.