METHOD OF MAKING INORGANIC, METAL OXIDE SPHERES USING MICROSTRUCTURED MOLDS

摘要

A process for making inorganic, metal oxide spheres that includes exposing solidified, molded microparticles that include a glass precursor composition to a temperature sufficient to transform the molded microparticles into molten glass and cooling the molten glass to form inorganic, metal oxide spheres.

主权项

1. A process for making inorganic, metal oxide spheres, the process comprising:
forming a glass precursor composition comprising glass precursor particles dispersed in a vehicle such that the composition forms a dispersion, the vehicle including at least one of water, an organic liquid, and a binder; positioning the glass precursor composition in a plurality of mold cavities; solidifying the glass precursor composition in the plurality of mold cavities to form solidified, molded microparticles; demolding the solidified, molded microparticles from the plurality of mold cavities; exposing the solidified, molded microparticles, after demolding, to a temperature sufficient to transform the molded microparticles into molten droplets; and cooling the molten droplets to form inorganic, metal oxide spheres.