Systems, devices, and/or methods for manufacturing castings

A device comprising:

• a device composition comprising:
• a ceramic composition comprising a plurality of crystalline forms of silica, a first crystalline form of silica from the plurality of crystalline forms of silica being cristobalite in an amount greater than 2.5% and less than 10% by weight of the device composition;
• an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, the cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in the device composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of the device composition;
• and
• a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, the silicone composition present in the device composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of the device composition;
• the device defining a plurality of wall surfaces, a wall surface from the plurality of wall surfaces comprising a plurality of 3-dimensional micro-features, the plurality of 3-dimensional micro-features comprising at least one protruding undercut, the plurality of wall surfaces defining a periphery of a layer-less volume;
• the device configured to be substantially carbon-free after sintering;
• the device having a post-sintering measured apparent porosity of 15 to 35 percent and a predetermined surface characteristic.