Saint-gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.

Luxium Solutions, LLC

David J Weeden

Brian J McAndrews

Drew T Haven

Guilford Leroy Mack, Iii

Charles Wooddell

Ralph L Maclean, Jr

Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire as well as methods of forming the same. A method of forming a crystalline structure is disclosed as well. The method can include providing a melt in a crucible having a die. The die can include a ventilation opening. The method can further include growing the crystalline structure from the die using an enclosed seed. The single crystals can have desirable geometric properties, including a length greater than a diameter greater than a thickness.

Enclosed crystal growth

Novel transparent composites have been developed that have relatively lower areal densities of conventional transparent composites, where the composites are tested for the same threat levels as specified in the NIT or STANAG standards. Particular transparent composites can withstand projectiles having relatively high kinetic energy, for example, using STANAG 4 testing conditions. Further, the novel transparent composites can withstand multiple hits using Multiple Hit Testing at a STANAG 2 threat level.

Transparent composite having a laminated structure

Growing community of inventors

Concord, NH, United States of America

David J Weeden