Abstract:
A process is provided for the manufacture of thin walled ceramic structures, particularly conical or near conical shaped structures. The process involves a tape casting technique wherein a green tape is prepared from a colloidal suspension containing a ceramic powder, a binder system, a plasticizer and a solvent. The suspension is cast into a thin sheet and dried to form a pliable tape. The tape is cut into planar, shaped pieces. Non-planar components of the final structure are preformed from the cut planar tape pieces into predetermined three-dimensional shapes. The planar and preformed components are sequentially assembled within a die and compacted under pressure to form a green body. The green body is subjected first, to a burnout cycle to form a brown body, and then sintered to form the unitary, cohesive, thin walled ceramic structure.
Abstract:
A connective medium for use in ball grid arrays for connecting electronic devices to circuit boards comprising high melting point solder alloy spheres (32) coated, by electroplating, with an outer concentric layer of a lower melting point solder alloy (34) of uniform thickness. In a further aspect, a leach barrier (30) is coated on the high melting point solder alloy (32) prior to electroplating the low melting point solder alloy (34) thereto. The leach barrier (30) forms a barrier to prevent the lead from leaching from the high melting point lead solder spheres (32) into the low melting point solder alloy (34) during the reflow heat treatment in the mounting process.
Abstract:
Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are formed by depositing a biocompatible metal by vapour deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. The invention extends to other metal coatings and powders similarly formed so as to provide enhanced solubility.
Abstract:
There is provided a surface alloyed component which comprises a base alloy with a diffusion barrier layer enriched in silicon and chromium being provided adjacent thereto. An enrichment pool layer is created adjacent said diffusion barrier and contains silicon and chromium and optionally titanium or aluminum. A reactive gas treatment may be used to generate a replenishable protective scale on the outermost surface of said component.
Abstract:
A connective medium is provided for use in ball grid assemblies for detachable connections between electronic devices and circuit boards. The medium includes novel, discrete spheres defining an inner metallic, spherical core and one or more outer, electrically conductive concentric, hard and non-deformable metallic layers.
Abstract:
Novel processes are provided for the production of porous ceramic preforms, metal activated porous ceramic preforms and intermetallic/ceramic/metal composites. These products are all manufactured using processes which are based on tape casting techniques.
Abstract:
A single calcination stage process for the synthesis of homogeneous crystalline lithium nickel cobalt dioxide from either a mechanical mixture of nickel and cobalt oxides, hydroxide or oxyhydroxide or a chemical precipitation of a homogeneous nickel cobalt hydroxide or cobalt nickel cobalt oxyhydroxide is provided. The reactants are calcined in the presence of lithium hydroxide and an alkali metal hydroxide under predetermined oxygen partial pressure and temperature conditions. The products of the process are characterized in having a lithium to transition metal ratio closely approximating to the desired theoretical value.
Abstract:
There is provided a series of novel particulate stabilized lithiated compounds which can be utilized as cathodic materials in lithium ion battery cells. Each particle of the material defines an inner lithiated metal oxide core which acts as an intercalation cathode. A lithium ion conductor coating surrounds the core to stabilize the latter and to improve the electrochemical properties of the material.
Abstract:
Composite powders useful for thermal spray coatings or for powder metallurgy parts are provided. The spherical powder particles are characterized by the presence of a fully alloyed metallic phase and a second non-metallic phase uniformly dispersed therein.
Abstract:
A microtitre plate containing a plurality of wells for conducting immunoassays wherein one or more of the sides, bottom and lid walls of each well are formed with a reflective, metallized surface. The surface may be an inner coating on the walls of clear or opaque plates, or an outer coating on the walls of clear plates. Alternatively, the plate may be formed, for example, by stamping from a reflective metal material. Improved sensitivity in photometric detection results from photon emitting immunoassays conducted inthe plate.