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The use of hollow glass particle-filled fiber-reinforced composites for aircraft applications requires proper understanding of their behavior under in-service temperature conditions in order to exploit their usage in the exterior parts of aircraft and other space vehicles. In this study, the glass fiber reinforced composites containing 0–30 vol% of glass microspheres were subjected to testing for monotonic tensile and flexural loading from room temperature to the test temperature (40°C – 120°C). The evolution of microscopic damage under different temperatures was elucidated by digital image correlation (DIC) strain fields. The strain fields revealed a transition from homogeneous to non-homogeneous pattern as the temperature increases due to softening of the matrix. As the glass microsphere contents in the matrix increased, the tensile and flexural properties of the composites decreased, and their reduction was highest for the specimen containing a 30 vol% microsphere by volume. The tensile properties are slightly decreased by increasing the temperature. The tensile specimens tested at room temperature exhibited limited delamination and fiber pullout, while extensive delamination and fiber splitting occurred in the specimens tested at 120°C. The flexural results of the glass fiber reinforced composite specimens exposed at 120°C demonstrated a considerable decrease in flexural strength compared with room temperature for 0 vol%, 10 vol%, 20 vol% and 30 vol% glass microsphere volume fraction. Finally, the Weibull parametric investigation was performed to model the degradation of modulus for various GMS contents with temperature variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abradable coating is one of the significant stator components in aero-engine，which protects the rotating blade and casing by abrading itself and improves the engine performance by reducing the gap between the rotor and stator. In this study，taking the addition-type silicone resin as the matrix，the effect of diameter and stacking density of glass hollow/solid microspheres on the processability of abradable coating was investigated. Moreover，the effect of glass microsphere type and content was illustrated using a self-designed wear tester simulating the working conditions of stator in aero-engine. The results show that the silicone resin reinforced by H-type （size distribution 20–820 um） hollow glass microspheres exhibits excellent surface quality，flowability and comprehensive performance. The suitable preparation technology of abradable coatings was developed by glass microsphere selection，content controlling，tool design and infusion parameters optimizing. The as-prepared glass microsphere/silicone abradable composite is successfully applied and verified in aero-engine stator component.

The utilization of hollow glass particle‐filled fiber‐reinforced composites in marine applications necessitates a proper understanding of their behavior when exposed to moisture environments. In this study, the glass fiber‐reinforced composites reinforced with 0%–30% volume fraction of glass microspheres were fabricated and immersed in seawater and distilled water conditions for monotonic tensile and flexural testing. The degradation mechanisms were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moisture absorption results showed an increasing trend with the inclusion of glass microspheres. A decline in glass transition temperature and storage modulus was observed as a result of moisture absorption. The tensile results of the specimens exhibited a decrease of 13% and 9% in distilled water and seawater solution, respectively when compared with unaged samples, respectively. The flexural results of the aged composite specimens demonstrated a reduction of 24% and 11% in distilled water and seawater solution, respectively when compared with unaged samples. The findings also show that the influence of moisture on the modulus is less pronounced compared to its effect on strength under both environmental conditions. The micrograph results revealed a notable deterioration of the glass microsphere and the fiber/matrix interface in the moist environment. Highlights: Water absorption increases with the addition of glass microspheres.Microsphere degradation and fiber/matrix debonding are the governing mechanism.Retained 89% of tensile strength of their initial properties after exposed in sea water.Increase in microsphere contents decreases the tensile and flexural strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) using a suitable β−-emitting radionuclide is a promising treatment modality for unresectable liver carcinoma. Yttrium-90 (90Y) [T1/2 = 64.2 h, Eβ(max) = 2.28 MeV, no detectable γ-photon] is the most preferred radioisotope for SIRT owing to its favorable decay characteristics. Objective: The present study describes indigenous development and evaluation of intrinsically radiolabeled [90Y]yttria alumino silicate ([90Y]YAS) glass microsphere, a formulation biosimilar to "TheraSphere" (commercially available, U.S. FDA-approved formulation), for SIRT of unresectable liver carcinoma in human patients. Methods: YAS glass microspheres of composition 40Y2O3-20Al2O3-40SiO2 (w/w) and diameter ranging between 20 and 36 μm were synthesized with almost 100% conversion efficiency and >99% sphericity. Intrinsically labeled [90Y]YAS glass microspheres were produced by thermal neutron irradiation of cold YAS glass microspheres in a research reactor. Subsequent to in vitro evaluations and in vivo studies in healthy Wistar rats, customized doses of [90Y]YAS glass microspheres were administered in human patients. Results: [90Y]YAS glass microspheres were produced with 137.7 ± 8.6 MBq/mg YAS glass (∼6800 Bq per microsphere) specific activity and 99.94% ± 0.02% radionuclidic purity at the end of irradiation. The formulation exhibited excellent in vitro stability in human serum and showed >97% retention in the liver up to 7 d post-administration when biodistribution studies were carried out in healthy Wistar rats. Yttrium-90 positron emission tomography scans recorded at different time points post-administration of customized dose of [90Y]YAS glass microspheres in human patients showed near-quantitative retention of the formulation in the injected lobe. Conclusions: The study confirmed the suitability of indigenously prepared [90Y]YAS glass microspheres for clinical use in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous technological progress is required to improve production efficiency and environmental quality while maintaining economic competitiveness. A non-negligible contribution to some of these goals can be achieved through the production of glass microspheres for a wide range of applications. The fabrication techniques of glass microspheres including flame synthesis, liquid droplet method, dried gel process and electrical arc process are surveyed. The mechanisms of the recent syntheses of porous and hollow glass microspheres are also reviewed. Glass microspheres are a promising substrate for titania coatings which can be used in water purification and self-cleaning systems. Due to their high mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity, they can also be applied in cementitious and insulating products. Glass microspheres can carry hydrogen gas at pressures of up to 150 MPa. In addition, they can enhance the quality of lead-acid batteries by decreasing the critical volume fraction of the electrodes. Future directions are pointed out on the improvement of the fabrication of 3D glass structures by using glass microspheres as fillers in inks, benefiting from their smooth surface, spherical shape, and high packing density. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models describing the rheological properties of particulate-filled polymer composite materials are analyzed from the point of view of their structure. A mathematical model relating the relative viscosity to the parameters of the disperse structure is proposed on the example of a model system based on low-density polyethylene containing glass microspheres. The rheological properties of particulate-filled composite materials are considered for the first time from the standpoint of the formation of a heterogeneity by particles of a dispersed filler in space and the construction of a polymer matrix in the free space in the form of three functional components (Θ, B, and M). The use of this approach in technological practice makes it possible to estimate the melt viscosity from the parameters of a given type of structure (dependent on the content of dispersed filler) of a particulate-filled polymer composite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber accumulation due to printing ink inconsistency makes additive manufacturing (AM) of reinforced thermoset syntactic foam composites difficult. This study predicts and analyzes the mechanical properties of AM-made carbon fiber-reinforced syntactic thermoset composites to overcome experimental limitations. Thus, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based model creates an accurate mechanical behavior prediction under a variety of conditions without experimental inquiry. Compression and flexure tests assessed the ANFIS model’s validation. The model’s predictions were very close to reality, validating the approach taken to improve the technical assessment of the created composites, which are perfect for weight reduction, mechanical improvement, and product complexity.

Featured Application: Our computational dosimetry system, including an original optimization protocol, enables more effective personalized liver radioembolization treatments. Radioembolization (RE) with glass microspheres (MS) loaded with Yttrium-90 (90Y) has been used to treat tumors in the liver with some reported success. However, assessing absorbed doses (AD) in the planning tumor volume (PTV) and normal liver volume (NLV) is a key problem to address in RE. In clinical practice, the computation of 90Y activity to be administered follows the manufacturer's recommendations, which do not consider the specific characteristics of MS deposition in each patient's liver. Our main aim is to develop a methodology to estimate the optimal activity for each patient treatment. It uses the absorbed dose distribution (ADD) derived from the Technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled macroaggregated albumin (MAA) obtained from pre-treatment planning single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images. Post-treatment positron emission tomography (PET) images of the 90Y-MS distribution were used to estimate the ADD for treatment verification. Sixteen RE treatments were retrospectively selected. The agreement between the estimated mean AD based on the planning imaging and real post-treatment mean AD was good in PTV with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.79 and excellent in NLV (ICC = 0.97). The optimization of 90Y activity using pre-defined clinical AD thresholds (<70 Gy in NLV and >80 Gy in PTV) imposed on the PTV and NLV voxels showed remarkably high agreement (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.001) in eleven out of the sixteen RE treatments between SPECT-MAA-based and PET-MS-based optimal activity estimates. In conclusion, under well-controlled conditions, pre-treatment SPECT-MAA imaging predicts well the treatment of ADD. In addition, SPECT-MAA imaging can be used to optimize the 90Y-MS activity to be administered to the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites suitable for rotational molding technology based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and filled with hollow glass microspheres (HGM) or functionalized hollow glass microspheres (HGMf) were prepared via melt-compounding. The functionalization of glass microspheres was carried out by a silanization treatment in order to improve the compatibility between the inorganic particles and the polymer matrix and achieve a good dispersion of glass microspheres in the matrix and an enhanced filler–polymer adhesion. The crystallization behavior of materials was studied by DSC under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions and the nucleating effect of the glass microspheres was proven. In particular, the presence of silanized glass microspheres promoted faster crystallization rates and higher nucleation activity, which are enhanced by 75% and 50%, respectively, comparing neat PCL and the composite filled with 20 wt% HGMf. The crystalline and supermolecular structure of PCL and composites crystallized from the melt was evaluated by WAXD and SAXS, highlighting differences in terms of crystallinity index and structural parameters as a function of the adopted crystallization conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) involves selective intra-arterial administration of microspheres loaded with a radioactive compound like Yttrium-90 (Y-90). Conventionally, C-arm-based cone-beam computed tomography has been extensively used during TARE. However, angio-computed tomography (CT) is a relatively new modality which combines the advantages of both fluoroscopy and fCT. There is scarce literature detailing the use of angio-CT in Y90 TARE. This was a retrospective study of primary liver cancer cases in which the TARE procedure was done from November 2017 to December 2021. Glass-based Y-90 microspheres were used in all these cases. All the cases were performed in the hybrid angio-CT suite. A single photon emission computed tomography–computed comography (SPECT-CT) done postplanning session determined the lung shunt fraction and confirmed the accurate targeting of the lesion. Postdrug delivery, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was obtained to confirm the distribution of the Y-90 particles. The technical success, median follow-up, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. A total of 56 hepatocellular carcinoma patients underwent TARE during this period, out of which 36 patients (30 males and 6 females) underwent Y90 TARE. The aetiology of cirrhosis included non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (11), hepatitis C (HCV) (11), hepatitis B (HBV) (9), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) (2), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (1), cryptogenic (1), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (1). The technical success was 100 % and the median follow-up was 7 months (range: 1–32 months). The median OS was 15 months (range 10.73–19.27 months; 95 % CI) and the median local PFS was 4 months (range 3.03–4.97 months; 95 % CI). The ORR (best response, CR + PR) was 58 %. No major complications were seen in this study. TARE is a viable option for liver cancer in all stages, but more so in the advanced stages. The use of angio-CT in TARE aids in the precise delivery of the particles to the tumour and avoids non-target embolisation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary liver tumours (i.e. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)) are among the most frequent cancers worldwide. However, only 10–20% of patients are amenable to curative treatment, such as resection or transplant. Liver metastases are most frequently caused by colorectal cancer, which accounts for the second most cancer-related deaths in Europe. In both primary and secondary tumours, radioembolization has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option. The vast potential of personalized dosimetry has also been shown, resulting in markedly increased response rates and overall survival. In a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape, the role of radioembolization will be subject to changes. Therefore, the decision for radioembolization should be taken by a multidisciplinary tumour board in accordance with the current clinical guidelines. The purpose of this procedure guideline is to assist the nuclear medicine physician in treating and managing patients undergoing radioembolization treatment. Preamble: The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) is a professional non-profit medical association that facilitates communication worldwide among individuals pursuing clinical and research excellence in nuclear medicine. The EANM was founded in 1985. These guidelines are intended to assist practitioners in providing appropriate nuclear medicine care for patients. They are not inflexible rules or requirements of practice and are not intended, nor should they be used, to establish a legal standard of care. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure or course of action must be made by medical professionals taking into account the unique circumstances of each case. Thus, there is no implication that an approach differing from the guidelines, standing alone, is below the standard of care. To the contrary, a conscientious practitioner may responsibly adopt a course of action different from that set out in the guidelines when, in the reasonable judgment of the practitioner, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources or advances in knowledge or technology subsequent to publication of the guidelines. The practice of medicine involves not only the science but also the art of dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation and treatment of disease. The variety and complexity of human conditions make it impossible to always reach the most appropriate diagnosis or to predict with certainty a particular response to treatment. Therefore, it should be recognised that adherence to these guidelines will not ensure an accurate diagnosis or a successful outcome. All that should be expected is that the practitioner will follow a reasonable course of action based on current knowledge, available resources and the needs of the patient to deliver effective and safe medical care. The sole purpose of these guidelines is to assist practitioners in achieving this objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study illustrates the manufacturing method of hierarchically porous 3D scaffolds based on åkermanite as a promising bioceramic for stereolithography. The macroporosity was designed by implementing 3D models corresponding to different lattice structures (cubic, diamond, Kelvin, and Kagome). To obtain micro-scale porosity, flame synthesized glass microbeads with 10 wt% of silicone resins were utilized to fabricate green scaffolds, later converted into targeted bioceramic phase by firing at 1100 °C in air. No chemical reaction between the glass microspheres, crystallizing into åkermanite, and silica deriving from silicone oxidation was observed upon heat treatment. Silica acted as a binder between the adjacent microspheres, enhancing the creation of microporosity, as documented by XRD, and SEM coupled with EDX analysis. The formation of 'spongy' struts was confirmed by infiltration with Rhodamine B solution. The compressive strength of the sintered porous scaffolds was up to 0.7 MPa with the porosity of 68–84%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technology was developed for producing in a plasma reactor glass microspheres using the ferruginous quartzite tailings of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly [KMA]. The predictable effects of the plasma-forming argon-gas flow rate and the plasma reactor power on the fractional composition were determined. It is shown that on increasing the plasma-forming gas flow rate from 1.5 to 2.5 m3/h and the current strength from 400 to 500 A the fraction amount over 630 μm increases due to coagulation processes. It is shown that the glass microspheres are enriched in aluminum and calcium oxides and depleted of silicon, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron oxides. It is shown that at high plasma temperatures, of the order of 9000 – 12,000 K, the particles melt completely and spherical glass microspheres ranging in size from 80 to 1250 μm are formed. Operational metrics, such as microhardness, acid resistance, and alkali resistance, of the glass microspheres based on the ferruginous quartzite tailings of KMA were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The strategy of combining the traditional reinforcement of glass fibers (GF) with lighter hollow glass microspheres (HGM) can afford to fulfill the need for potential light-weight and high-strength modern materials required in various sectors, such as automotive and aerospace industry applications. This work fabricated composites of PA6/GF/HGM by melting blending in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, and subsequently, injection molded. The effects of HGM content on the density, morphological and mechanical properties were investigated and the PA6/GF/HGM composites properties were compared to the properties of the traditional PA6/GF (70/30) wt% composite, widely used today in automotive industries. With the increase of HGM amount in the formulations, a reduction of between 3 and 12% in density was achieved with a slight reduction in its mechanical properties, showing that this new strategy can be applied to replace the PA6/GF (70/30) wt% composite, providing a considerable weight reduction for these materials.

The issues of the components of a grinding wheel recipe, namely, abrasive grains, bonds and various fillers on the cutting forces during grinding are considered in the article. The following types of fillers were studied: fused alumina microspheres, which are a non-burning hollow filler, glass microspheres used as a hollow melting filler, and a burning filler in the form of crushed fruit pits. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, generalized statistical models of the dependence of the magnitude of cutting forces during grinding on the percentage of grains, bond and fillers were developed. From the analysis of the pair correlation coefficients of the models of the grinding force components, it was concluded that the percentage of grains, bond, glass microspheres have the strongest effect on the cutting force sand the effect of fused alumina microspheres and fruit pits is negligible. Based on the results obtained, conclusions are formulated in the form of practical recommendations for reducing cutting forces.

The present work has the objective of studying the effect of shot peening with glass microspheres on SAE 1020 steel in its resistance to fatigue. Fatigue tests were carried out by rotary bending with load control and loading on balance in specimens with and without shot peening. A rotation speed of approximately 750 rpm (12.5 Hz) was employed in the fatigue tests. Vickers microhardness tests were performed in order to verify the surface hardening produced by shot peening with glass microspheres. Analysis of the steel surface and fatigue fractures was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fatigue tests were performed in order to obtain S-N curves (Wöhler curves). It was observed that shot peening with glass microspheres improved the fatigue strength of the steel at high cycle.

Radioembolization (RE) with glass microspheres (MS) loaded with Yttrium-90 (90Y) has been used to treat tumors in the liver with some reported success. However, assessing absorbed doses (AD) in the planning tumor volume (PTV) and normal liver volume (NLV) is a key problem to address in RE. In clinical practice, the computation of 90Y activity to be administered follows the manufacturer’s recommendations, which do not consider the specific characteristics of MS deposition in each patient’s liver. Our main aim is to develop a methodology to estimate the optimal activity for each patient treatment. It uses the absorbed dose distribution (ADD) derived from the Technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled macroaggregated albumin (MAA) obtained from pre-treatment planning single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images. Post-treatment positron emission tomography (PET) images of the 90Y-MS distribution were used to estimate the ADD for treatment verification. Sixteen RE treatments were retrospectively selected. The agreement between the estimated mean AD based on the planning imaging and real post-treatment mean AD was good in PTV with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.79 and excellent in NLV (ICC = 0.97). The optimization of 90Y activity using pre-defined clinical AD thresholds (80 Gy in PTV) imposed on the PTV and NLV voxels showed remarkably high agreement (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.001) in eleven out of the sixteen RE treatments between SPECT-MAA-based and PET-MS-based optimal activity estimates. In conclusion, under well-controlled conditions, pre-treatment SPECT-MAA imaging predicts well the treatment of ADD. In addition, SPECT-MAA imaging can be used to optimize the 90Y-MS activity to be administered to the liver.

Although glass recycling is considered to be a default method for glass waste management, fine fractions of container soda‐lime glass, or cullet of other compositions are still landfilled. This happens despite existing alternatives. Success could lie in advanced upcycled products that bring higher economic motivation for the implementation in industry, but these are often connected to alternative ways of product synthesis. We provide an example of waste glass upcycling by the preparation of glass microspheres (GM) from specialty low‐sodium alumino borosilicate‐based glasses via flame synthesis (FS). GM and the precursors, either from colorless medical vials or glass fibers, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), simultaneous thermal analysis coupled with differential thermal analysis (STA‐DTA), and image analysis. A dynamic corrosion test was performed and evaluated via ion‐coupled plasma with optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) to observe corrosion kinetics products. FS has proved to be a fast method of waste glass processing into GM. This article, besides the characterization of the starting material and final products, also suggests the possibility of processing for other landfilled waste glasses and also discusses the manufacturing of GM for water filters and fillers for polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass microspheres with the exact stoichiometry of åkermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7), one of the most promising modern bioceramics, were produced by the flame synthesis method. The distinctive high cooling rate was found to prevent the crystallization; the size of amorphous microbeads could be correlated with the size of partially crystallized precursor powders, deriving from conventional melt quenching and milling. The glass microspheres were characterized in terms of crystallization and sintering behavior, in the perspective of applications in additive manufacturing of åkermanite‐based scaffolds. The results showed that merwinite (Ca3MgSi2O8) is the primary product of glass devitrification; only in a second stage, merwinite reacts with the residual glass and yields åkermanite. The rapid crystallization, implying limited viscous flow sintering, was tested as an opportunity to create components with complex porosity distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of methods were employed to assess the performances of advanced coating materials based on components that can modify the spectral parameters of the surfaces on which these materials are applied in order to obtain passive military camouflage. Powder materials with high infrared (IR) reflectance were used to obtain this type of coatings, which also ingrain in their structure a significant volume of air that allow limitation of the radiative heat transfer of the coated source. The components were embedded in a polyurethane matrix, which facilitated the coating process on different surfaces. The bicomponent polyurethane-based binder used within the different composition tested is transparent to incident IR radiation, has no organic solvents, is highly flexible and possesses remarkable physical, chemical and mechanical properties: high surface adhesion, high flexibility and resistance against a number of chemical agents and external factors with destructive effect. The efficiency of these composite materials was further demonstrated by analyzing the thermal images of different objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites suitable for rotational molding technology based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and filled with hollow glass microspheres (HGM) or functionalized hollow glass microspheres (HGMf) were prepared via melt-compounding. The functionalization of glass microspheres was carried out by a silanization treatment in order to improve the compatibility between the inorganic particles and the polymer matrix and achieve a good dispersion of glass microspheres in the matrix and an enhanced filler–polymer adhesion. The crystallization behavior of materials was studied by DSC under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions and the nucleating effect of the glass microspheres was proven. In particular, the presence of silanized glass microspheres promoted faster crystallization rates and higher nucleation activity, which are enhanced by 75% and 50%, respectively, comparing neat PCL and the composite filled with 20 wt% HGMf. The crystalline and supermolecular structure of PCL and composites crystallized from the melt was evaluated by WAXD and SAXS, highlighting differences in terms of crystallinity index and structural parameters as a function of the adopted crystallization conditions.

The aim was to assess the effect of sawing patterns on lumber yield, energy consumption, and surface quality of Pinus caribaea var. caribaea wood sawn on a portable sawmill. The logs had an average diameter of 29 cm, length of 3 m, and age of 46 years. A specific sawing pattern was used for the production of cants and boards and another for two-sided cants, obtained after a subsequent edging operation. Log and board volumes were determined, and the ratio of these variables was used to calculate the lumber yield. The amount of energy used during breakdown was determined by measuring the electric current applied and time of execution of the process. Surface quality was assessed by the glass microsphere method, according to technical standards. Lumber yield ranged from 48 to 53%, considered satisfactory. Lumber yield and energy consumption were lower with the cant sawing pattern. Board surface quality was not influenced by sawing pattern, with all boards having fine to very fine surface textures. Energy consumption and board surface quality were not influenced by cutting position. Although the cant sawing pattern provided a lower lumber yield, the energy savings associated with the absence of edging operations may make it attractive for small lumber producers. However, this decision should be based on an economic analysis and take into account the market value of the wood to be processed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In injection-well carbon storage projects, the degradation of Portland cement under harsh CO 2 conditions is a primary concern. This study introduces novel CO 2 -resistant calcium aluminate cement (CAC) systems with addition of rubber latex and hollow glass microspheres which are added to the system to enhance the set cement resistance to CO 2 corrosion and in the same time to optimize it for the application in a wide variety of well conditions. After exposure to near supercritical CO 2 conditions (100 °C, 7 MPa) these systems exhibited enhanced compressive strength and reduced porosity compared with conventional Portland cement (PC) system, especially the one without latex. By subjecting degradation depth-resolved samples to thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the study scrutinized alterations in microstructural properties. This methodological approach unveiled a profound grasp of carbonation mechanisms. Confirmed through TG and XRD analyses, the considerable reduction in carbonation establishes CAC as a compelling choice for CO 2 -resistant sealing within injection-well CO 2 storage endeavors. • Novel CAC-based mix designs for carbon storage in injection wells. • CAC-µ with glass microspheres outperforms CAC-SBR (with latex) post-CO 2 exposure. • Degradation depth dependent microstructural analysis by TG, XRD, and SEM. • Carbonation of C 3 AH 6 precipitates AH 3 and CaCO 3 that aids pore filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel type of light heat-resistant polymer concretes was developed on the basis of oligooxyhydridesilmethylenesiloxysilan with hollow glass or ceramic microspheres. Adding hollow glass and ceramic microspheres being waste products from thermal power plants operating on solid fuels allowed developing reasonably priced materials and reducing potential environmental pollution. For optimization of production technology, the curing and molding conditions of materials were studied. According to impact strength changes, the optimal curing mode for the composites was at 480–515 K for 4.25–4.5 hours depending on the filler type and binder content. It was stated that used organic-silicon binder provided thermal resistance and high strength characteristics of the composite material. In comparison with traditional silicone resins, the compressive strength value of the developed materials increased by almost two times and the modulus of elasticity increased by almost an order of magnitude. Due to the interaction of aluminum hydroxide groups of ceramic microspheres with organosilicon polymer, Young’s modulus of the materials filled by ceramic microspheres was higher by 20–30 % than that of the concretes with glass microspheres. Consequently, enhanced physical and mechanical properties expand possibilities of using these materials under exposure of significant external static loads.

The influence of types and parameters of hollow microspheres in the composition of syntactic foams on their structure and coefficient of thermal conductivity has been studied. By using structural and thermal analysis it has been found that the volume concentration and the size of the ceramic and glass hollow microspheres have a strong impact on the density and thermophysical properties of the thin syntactic foams coatings. It has been shown that the best heat insulating properties belong to syntactic foam with composition of 60 vol. % ceramic microspheres with particle size of 1 - 40 μm (k = 0.029 W/m·K, R = 0.008 (m2·K)/W) and with composition of 80 vol. % glass hollow microspheres with particle size of 9 - 25 μm (k = 0.087 W/m·K, R = 0.008 (m2·K)/W). The results demonstrate that application of syntactic foams as thin insulating coatings is appropriate and they are an energy efficient material with number of benefits compare with the common thermal insulators.

Fracture toughness of syntactic composites with various degrees of filling with hollow glass microspheres is studied. It is shown that the "area method" can be employed for calculation of the crack resistance of syntactic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) using a suitable β - -emitting radionuclide is a promising treatment modality for unresectable liver carcinoma. Yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) [ T 1/2  = 64.2 h, E β (max) = 2.28 MeV, no detectable γ-photon] is the most preferred radioisotope for SIRT owing to its favorable decay characteristics. Objective: The present study describes indigenous development and evaluation of intrinsically radiolabeled [ 90 YAS glass microspheres of composition 40Y 90 Y]YAS) glass microsphere, a formulation biosimilar to "TheraSphere" (commercially available, U.S. FDA-approved formulation), for SIRT of unresectable liver carcinoma in human patients. Methods: YAS glass microspheres of composition 40Y 2 O 3 -20Al 2 O 3 Y]YAS glass microspheres were produced by thermal neutron irradiation of cold YAS glass microspheres in a research reactor. Subsequent to 2 (w/w) and diameter ranging between 20 and 36 μm were synthesized with almost 100% conversion efficiency and >99% sphericity. Intrinsically labeled [ 90 Y]YAS glass microspheres were produced by thermal neutron irradiation of cold YAS glass microspheres in a research reactor. Subsequent to in vitro Y]YAS glass microspheres were administered in human patients. in vivo studies in healthy Wistar rats, customized doses of [ 90 Y]YAS glass microspheres were produced with 137.7 ± 8.6 MBq/mg YAS glass (∼6800 Bq per microsphere) specific activity and 99.94% ± 0.02% radionuclidic purity at the end of irradiation. The formulation exhibited excellent Results: [ 90 Y]YAS glass microspheres in human patients showed near-quantitative retention of the formulation in the injected lobe. in vitro stability in human serum and showed >97% retention in the liver up to 7 d post-administration when biodistribution studies were carried out in healthy Wistar rats. Yttrium-90 positron emission tomography scans recorded at different time points post-administration of customized dose of [ 90 Y]YAS glass microspheres for clinical use in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: The study confirmed the suitability of indigenously prepared [ 90 Y]YAS glass microspheres for clinical use in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Ni-doped Ca2Al2SiO7 glass systems were prepared by flame synthesis. Solid-state reaction was used to prepare the powder precursors. The concentration of Ni was 0.5, 1 and 3 mol%. Polydisperse systems were prepared with diameters between 5 and 140 μm. Detailed examination of morphology of the glass microbeads by SEM revealed no features indicating the presence of crystalline phases. However, X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the samples GNi0.5 (0.5 mol% of Ni) and GNi1.0 (1.0 mol% of Ni) contained traces of crystalline gehlenite. HT-XRD was used to determine the temperature dependence of phase composition. For all prepared compositions, only one crystalline phase (Ca2Al2SiO7) was observed. DSC measurements in the temperature range 30–1200 °C at five different heating rates were carried out to study the thermal behavior. The DSC curves of all glasses contained one exothermic peak, which was attributed to crystallization of the gehlenite. The maximum of the peak decreased with increasing Ni content in the microspheres. The kinetic parameters (frequency factor A, apparent activation energy Eapp and the Avrami coefficient m) of the crystallization were determined using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolgomorov model. In case of GNi0.5 and GNi1.0 glasses, the nucleation's rate had linear temperature dependence, the crystal growth interface is controlled by chemical boundary and the crystal growth is one-dimensional. The rate of nucleation is linear, the crystal interface growth is controlled by diffusion and one-dimensional crystal growth prevails in crystallization of the GNi3.0 (3.0 mol% of Ni). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite many advantages, poor mechanical properties are a limiting factor in market growth of natural fiber composites. This work is focused on improvement in the mechanical properties of hemp/green epoxy composites by using four different weave structures and by adding glass microspheres (GMS) to the resin. The reinforcement was fabricated in four different weave designs (matt, satin, hybrid weave A, and hybrid weave B) and four different percentages of GMS (0%, 2%, 3.5%, and 5% on the weight of resin) were also mixed in the green epoxy resin. Four layered composites were fabricated by using vacuum bagging technique. The tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted. The results showed that the tensile strength of composites with satin weave reinforcement is better than other weaves, due to longer warp thread float and lesser number of intersection points. While, during flexural and pendulum (Charpy) impact testing, matt weave composite showed better results due to its stable and robust structure as compared to the other weave composites. Keeping the weave design constant, the composites with 5% GSM showed better tensile, flexural and impact behavior. Both factors (weave design and GMS percentage) showed a statistically significant effect on the mechanical test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study illustrates the manufacturing method of hierarchically porous 3D scaffolds based on åkermanite as a promising bioceramic for stereolithography. The macroporosity was designed by implementing 3D models corresponding to different lattice structures (cubic, diamond, Kelvin, and Kagome). To obtain micro-scale porosity, flame synthesized glass microbeads with 10 wt% of silicone resins were utilized to fabricate green scaffolds, later converted into targeted bioceramic phase by firing at 1100 °C in air. No chemical reaction between the glass microspheres, crystallizing into åkermanite, and silica deriving from silicone oxidation was observed upon heat treatment. Silica acted as a binder between the adjacent microspheres, enhancing the creation of microporosity, as documented by XRD, and SEM coupled with EDX analysis. The formation of ‘spongy’ struts was confirmed by infiltration with Rhodamine B solution. The compressive strength of the sintered porous scaffolds was up to 0.7 MPa with the porosity of 68–84%.

Polymer derived ceramic (PDC) polysilazane-based double layer composite coatings on steel substrates consisting of a PDC bond-coat, and a PDC-based top-coat containing ceramic passive (ZrO₂) and active (ZrSi₂) fillers, as well as a specially tailored passive glass filler with high melting temperature were developed. The corrosion and oxidation behaviour of the ferritic stainless steel AISI 441 with and without the PDC coating system was evaluated. SEM examination revealed the composite coatings were not dense but contained small closed pores with a diameter up to 100 nm. Cracks and occasionally also delamination were detected. The static corrosion tests under hydrothermal conditions at the temperature of 200 °C resulted in partial oxidation of the uncoated steel substrate, whereas the coated sample was protected by the PDC coating. No oxidation of the top coat was detected after the static corrosion test. The high temperature oxidation behaviour in a flow-through oxygen atmosphere was investigated at the temperatures of 900 °C, 1000 °C and 1100 °C. X-ray diffraction confirmed extensive corrosion of the uncoated AISI441 stainless steel accompanied by formation of a Cr₂O₃, TiO₂ and a (Mn, Cr)₃O₄ spinel containing layer of corrosion products. Beneficial effect of the PDC coating was observed at the temperature of 900 °C, demonstrated by marked reduction of the weight gain of coated steel after 196 h of exposure to flowing oxygen. At higher temperatures the protective action of the PDC coat was not observed, and a thick layer of corrosion products was formed at the steel/coating interface.

The glass of gehlenite composition was prepared by flame synthesis in the form of microspheres. The powder precursor was synthesised by standard solid-state reaction method using SiO2, Al2O3 and CaCO3. The prepared glasses were characterized from the point of view of surface morphology, phase composition and thermal properties by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The prepared samples contained only completely re-melted spherical particles. SEM did not reveal any features indicating the presence of crystalline phases. However, traces of crystalline gehlenite were detected by XRD. The high-temperature XRD measurements (HT XRD) were carried out to identify the phase evolution during glass crystallization. In the studied temperature range, gehlenite phase was identified as the main crystalline phase. Non-isothermal DSC analysis of prepared glass microspheres was carried out from room temperature up to 1200 °C at five different heating rates: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 °C/min to determine the thermal properties of microspheres. In order to study the crystallization kinetics, the DSC curves were transformed into dependence of fractional extent of crystallization (α) on temperature. The Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov model was found to be suitable for description of crystallization kinetics. Frequency factor A = 5.56 × 1029 ± 1.73 × 1029 min−1, apparent activation energy Eapp = 722 ± 3 kJ mol−1 and the Avrami coefficient m = 2 were determined. In the studied system, the linear temperature dependence of nucleation rate, diffusion controlled crystal growth interface and a 2D crystal growth were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article features the oxidation behavior of ferritic stainless steel grade AISI 441 coated with protective polymer‐derived ceramics (PDC). Two PDC compositions are studied with respect to their oxidation resistance in a flow‐through atmosphere of synthetic air at temperatures of up to 1000°C. The coatings contain a combination of six passive fillers: Y‐containing ZrO2, glass microspheres, alumina‐yttria‐zirconia (AYZ) powder, and three commercial glasses. They are pyrolyzed in air for 1 hour at 800°C with heating and cooling rates of 3 K/min. Detailed microstructural examination of the oxide products formed at the surface of samples after exposure to air at 900°C, 950°C, and 1000°C for 1‐48 hours is analyzed. Both uncoated steel and steel coated with two of the protective systems described in part 1 of this article are investigated. Fe, Cr2O3, TiO2, and a spinel of the composition (Mn,Cr)3O4 are identified at the oxidized surface of the steel substrate using X‐ray diffraction. A significant weight gain of the unprotected steel is measured after all experiments, while oxidation tests of the coated steel show a negligible weight gain after 900°C and 950°C. During the early stages of coating oxidation, the monoclinic‐to‐tetragonal ratio in the zirconia filler is shifted toward the monoclinic modification. Longer exposures and higher temperatures lead to the formation of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) due to glass microsphere crystallization and solid state reactions in the AYZ powder. The crystallization of the three commercial glasses functioning as sealants leads to the formation of Ba(AlSiO4)2 also known as hexacelsian, which subsequently transforms to celsian. YZr8O14 is also formed. The protective effect of the PDC coatings applied to the stainless steel is demonstrated up to 950°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metal Materials & Engineering is the property of Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Polyurethane coatings containing copper(II) L-tyrosine and glass microspheres were laser irradiated and underwent electroless metallization. Various sizes of glass microspheres were incorporated into the polyurethane coating matrix in order to examine their effects on surface activation and electroless metallization. The surface of the coatings was activated by using ArF excimer laser emitting ultraviolet radiation (λ = 193 nm) using different number of laser pulses and their fluence. The effects of surface activation and metallization were evaluated mainly based on optical and scanning electron microcopies (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the presence of glass microspheres enabled the reduction in copper complex content, intensified the ablation process (higher cone-like structures created) and resulted in higher content of copper metallic seeds. On the other hand, the glass microspheres concentration, which was higher for lower size microspheres, was advantageous for obtaining a fully metallized layer.

Epoxy/hollow glass microsphere (HGM) syntactic foams (SFs) are peculiar materials developed to combine low density, low thermal conductivity, and elevated mechanical properties. In this work, multifunctional SFs endowed with both structural and thermal management properties were produced for the first time, by combining an epoxy matrix with HGM and a microencapsulated phase change material (PCM) having a melting temperature of 43 °C. Systems with a total filler content (HGM + PCM) up to 40 vol% were prepared and characterized from the mechanical point of view with a broad experimental campaign comprising quasi-static, impact, and fracture toughness tests. The experimental results were statistically treated and fitted with a linear model, to produce ternary phase diagrams to provide a comprehensive interpretation of the mechanical behaviour of the prepared foams. In quasi-static tests, HGM introduction helps to retain the specific tensile elastic modulus and to increase the specific compressive modulus. The brittle nature of HGMs decreases the Charpy impact properties of the SFs, while the PCM insertion improve their toughness. This result is confirmed in KIC and GIC tests, where the composition with 20 vol% of PCM shows an increase of 80% and 370% in KIC and GIC in to neat epoxy, respectively. The most promising compositions are those combining PCM and HGMs with a total particle volume fraction up to 40 vol%, thanks to their optimal combination of thermal management capability, lightness, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties. The ability to fine-tune the properties of the SFs, together with the acquired thermal energy storage (TES) capability, confirm the great potential of these multifunctional materials in automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries.

Syntactic foams (SFs) combining an epoxy resin and hollow glass microspheres (HGM) feature a unique combination of low density, high mechanical properties, and low thermal conductivity which can be tuned according to specific applications. In this work, the versatility of epoxy/HGM SFs was further expanded by adding a microencapsulated phase change material (PCM) providing thermal energy storage (TES) ability at a phase change temperature of 43 °C. At this aim, fifteen epoxy (HGM/PCM) compositions with a total filler content (HGM + PCM) of up to 40 vol% were prepared and characterized. The experimental results were fitted with statistical models, which resulted in ternary diagrams that visually represented the properties of the ternary systems and simplified trend identification. Dynamic rheological tests showed that the PCM increased the viscosity of the epoxy resin more than HGM due to the smaller average size (20 µm vs. 60 µm) and that the systems containing both HGM and PCM showed lower viscosity than those containing only one filler type, due to the higher packing efficiency of bimodal filler distributions. HGM strongly reduced the gravimetric density and the thermal insulation properties. In fact, the sample with 40 vol% of HGM showed a density of 0.735 g/cm3 (−35% than neat epoxy) and a thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/(m∙K) (−40% than neat epoxy). Moreover, the increase in the PCM content increased the specific phase change enthalpy, which was up to 68 J/g for the sample with 40 vol% of PCM, with a consequent improvement in the thermal management ability that was also evidenced by temperature profiling tests in transient heating and cooling regimes. Finally, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that both fillers decreased the storage modulus but generally increased the storage modulus normalized by density (E′/ρ) up to 2440 MPa/(g/cm3) at 25 °C with 40 vol% of HGM (+48% than neat epoxy). These results confirmed that the main asset of these ternary multifunctional syntactic foams is their versatility, as the composition can be tuned to reach the property set that best matches the application requirements in terms of TES ability, thermal insulation, and low density.

• The lack of standardized procedures for analyzing thin semisolid films of AEC mastics was assessed. • The introduction of glass microspheres, acting as "inert solid skeleton", in the production of beam specimens was suggested. • A consistent unconventional BBR testing protocol for AEC mastics was proposed. • A feasibility study for validating the new BBR modified experimental setup was presented. This paper focused on exploiting the potential of the bending beam rheometer (BBR) test for analyzing asphalt emulsion-cement (AEC) mastics tailored for cold in-place recycling applications in the first weeks of curing, i.e. phase which implies the coexistence of viscoelastic and brittle materials. A consistent modified BBR testing protocol, which includes the experimental solutions devised for the practical execution of these unconventional rheometric measurements (sample preparation and test procedure), was proposed. The authors suggested to introduce glass microspheres, acting as "inert solid skeleton", in the production of AEC mastics for BBR prismatic beams, to study the interaction between asphalt emulsion and cement in thin film and to limit the specimens' shrinkage and warpage during the curing period. Finally, a feasibility study for validating the new modified experimental setup was presented, highlighting, with an explanatory overview of the types of results that can be expected, the macroscopic behaviors of some AEC mastics as a function of different parameters (asphalt binder to cement ratio, curing time and temperature). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work has the objective of studying the effect of shot peening with glass microspheres on SAE 1020 steel in its resistance to fatigue. Fatigue tests were carried out by rotary bending with load control and loading on balance in specimens with and without shot peening. A rotation speed of approximately 750 rpm (12.5 Hz) was employed in the fatigue tests. Vickers microhardness tests were performed in order to verify the surface hardening produced by shot peening with glass microspheres. Analysis of the steel surface and fatigue fractures was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fatigue tests were performed in order to obtain S-N curves (Wöhler curves). It was observed that shot peening with glass microspheres improved the fatigue strength of the steel at high cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lámpsakos is the property of Fundacion Universitaria Luis Amigo, Facultad de Ingenierias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The high prevalence of lactose intolerance was observed in Asian population. Lactose-free milk is a beneficial product to ameliorate this disorder. A lactase immobilized catalytic system for lactose-free milk preparation was established in the present study. The results show that lactase was covalently immobilized on the glass microspheres exhibited a highly efficient catalytic manner (the immobilization yield is about 83.2%) over other three solid carriers (PAN beads, cellulose beads, and nylon pellets). Optimal conditions were determined to be at room temperature and pH 6.0 using O-nitrophenyl-D-galactopyranoside as an indicator. Scanning electron microscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis provided direct evidence that lactase was successfully immobilized on the glass microspheres. Operational reusability was confirmed for more than 10 batch reactions and the stability was capable of sustaining catalytic activity for 62 days (the relative activity is still around 60%). Flow rate of 60 mL/h in the packed lactase immobilized on glass microspheres reactor is the optimal condition for lactose-free milk preparation. Lactose within milk can be completely hydrolyzed in 33.3 min. These results provided a good indication for the procedure for lactose-free milk preparation in dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injection-grout density is an important parameter when its additional weight leads to consolidated decorative plasters becoming damaged. This is especially evident in larger detached areas. In this study, thin-walled soda–lime–borosilicate glass microspheres were used as a density-reducing constituent in hydrated lime grout mixtures. The normal density grout composition—one volume part hydrated lime and three volume parts inert limestone filler with 0.5% of the polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticiser—was modified with partial substitution of the limestone filler with lightweight glass microspheres. The following volumetric proportions between limestone filler and glass microspheres were used: 100%:0%, 67%:33%, 50%:50%, 33%:67%, and 0%:100%. With the increase of the glass microspheres’ volume, the density of the grout is gradually reduced. Furthermore, there is a decrease in the stability and injectability of fresh grout. In its hardened state, the grout’s strength again reduces gradually, but there is no significant change in the grout’s water absorption and water-vapour resistance. The resistance of the grout to freezing–thawing and heating–cooling cycles using distilled water or salt solution is highly improved when the microspheres are present.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings are used in many applications and processing industries. With their use, they wear out and lose properties and must be replaced by new ones if the cost of the element so advises. There are different stripping techniques, but almost all of them are very difficult and require strict environmental controls. It is a challenge to approach the process through efficient and more sustainable techniques. In the present work, we have studied the stripping of PTFE coatings by projection with abrasives (1 step) as an alternative to carbonization + sandblasting procedures (2 steps). For this purpose, different types of abrasives have been selected: brown corundum, white corundum, glass microspheres, plastic particles, and a walnut shell. The tests were performed at pressures from 0.4 to 0.6 MPa on PTFE-coated aluminium substrates of EN AW-5182 H111 alloy. Stripping rates, surface roughness, and substrate hardness have been studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of sandblasted specimens have also been obtained. All abrasives improved mechanical and surface properties in one-step vs. two-step processes. The abrasives of plastic and glass microspheres are the most appropriate for the one-step process, which increases the hardness and roughness level Ra in the substrate. Corundum abrasives enable the highest stripping rates.

Gehlenite glass microspheres, doped with a different concentration of Bi3+ ions (0.5, 1, 3 mol%), were prepared by a combination of solid-state reaction followed by flame synthesis. The prepared glass microspheres were characterized from the point of view of surface morphology, phase composition, thermal and photoluminescence (PL) properties by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and PL spectroscopy. The closer inspection of glass microsphere surface by SEM confirmed a smooth surface. This was further verified by XRD. The basic thermal characteristics of prepared glasses, i.e. Tg (glass transition temperature), Tx (onset of crystallization peak temperature), Tf (temperature of the inflection point of the crystallization peak) and Tp (maximum of crystallization peak temperature), were estimated from the DSC records. High-temperature XRD experiments in the temperature interval range 600–1100°C were also performed. The PL emission properties of prepared glasses and their polycrystalline analogues (glass crystallized at 1000°C for 10 h) were studied in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. When excited at 300 nm, the glasses, as well as their polycrystalline analogues, exhibit broad emission in the visible spectral range from 350 to 650 nm centred at about 410–450 nm, corresponding to Bi3+ luminescence centres. The emission intensity of polycrystalline samples was found to be at least 30 times higher than the emission of their glass analogues. In addition, a weak emission band was observed around 775 nm under 300 nm excitation. This band was attributed to the presence of a minor amount of Bi2+ species in prepared samples. In the NIR spectral range, the broad band emission was observed in the spectral range of 1200–1600 nm with the maxima at 1350 nm. The chemistry of Bi and its oxidation state equilibrium in glasses and polycrystalline matrices is discussed in detail.