Abstract:
A method for the preparation of high strength air-dried organic aerogels. The method involves the sol-gel polymerization of organic gel precursors, such as resorcinol with formaldehyde (RF) in aqueous solvents with R/C ratios greater than about 1000 and R/F ratios less than about 1:2.1. Using a procedure analogous to the preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels, this approach generates wet gels that can be air dried at ambient temperatures and pressures. The method significantly reduces the time and/or energy required to produce a dried aerogel compared to conventional methods using either supercritical solvent extraction. The air dried gel exhibits typically less than 5% shrinkage.
Abstract:
A silicone rubber sponge-forming emulsion composition is provided that, even when the quantity of reinforcing silica filler is increased, does not exhibit a decline in emulsion stability, avoids defects in cell morphology of the sponge, and avoids a substantial increase in hardness of the sponge. A method of producing a silicone rubber sponge from this composition is also provided. The A silicone rubber sponge-forming emulsion composition comprises (A) 100 weight parts of a liquid diorganopolysiloxane that has at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups in each molecule, (B) 1 to 50 weight parts of a reinforcing silica filler comprising (b1) a fumed silica and (b2) a precipitated silica in a (b1)/(b2) weight ratio of 0.01/1 to 30/1, (C) 50 to 250 weight parts of water that contains (c) a smectite clay, (D) 0.1 to 7 weight parts of a sorbitan fatty acid ester, (E) 0 to 10 weight parts of an isononanoic acid ester, (F) 0 to 10 weight parts of a Guerbet alcohol, and (G) a curing agent in a quantity sufficient to crosslink and cure component (A).
Abstract:
The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.
Abstract:
A method for forming a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method includes the step of preparing a microemulsion. The method of the present embodiment then recites applying the microemulsion to a surface above which it is desired to form a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material. Next, the present method recites subjecting the microemulsion, which has been applied to the surface, to a thermal process such that the region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is formed above the surface.
Abstract:
Stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions containing polymerizable vinyl monomers, crosslinking monomers and initiators are obtained, useful in producing low density porous crosslinked polymeric materials by using a surfactant system containing (a) an anionic surfactant, the anionic surfactant having an oil soluble tail and an anionic functional group and (b) one or more quatemary salts having one or more hydrocarbon groups having greater than or equal to 8 carbon atoms. A water-in-oil emulsion can be formed with lower surfactant concentration than sorbitan fatty acid ester alone and improved surfactant performance at elevated temperatures is obtained.
Abstract:
Stable high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions containing polymerizable vinyl monomers, crosslinking monomers and initiators, useful in preparing low density porous crosslinked polymeric foams, are obtained by using a surfactant system containing (a) one or more sorbitan fatty acid ester or saccharide fatty acid ester and (b) a glycerol monofatty acid ester. A higher water to oil ratio water-in-oil emulsions can be formed with the same formulation by using the glycerol monofatty acid ester cosurfactant.
Abstract:
Normally hydrophobic foams, such as polyurethane foams and polymerized water-in-oil emulsion foams, are rendered hydrophilic by means of treatment with sorbitan monolaurate. Thus, a polymeric foam can be prepared or treated with sorbitan monolaurate and thereafter dried to leave a substantially uniformly distributed residue of sorbitan monolaurate on the internal foam surfaces. The resulting treated foams are rendered hydrophilic and are thus suitable for use in absorbent devices, including diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, and the like.
Abstract:
Poromeric web materials are continuously manufactured by applying to a thin layer of ice crystals a textile fibrous structure and an aqueous solution or dispersion of A. polyethylenically unsaturated monomers having at least two polymerizable double bonds or mixtures of at least 0.1 percent w/w of such polyethylenically unsaturated monomers and monoethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomers and optionally high molecular weight polymers, or B. monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and high polymers having molecular weights of more than 10,000, Cooling the whole to such an extent that at least 50 percent of the water Crystallizes, irradiating the solidified structure with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of less than 0.70 .mu.m to cause polymerization of the monomers, causing the structure to thaw, removing the material from the support and optionally washing the removed material, separating it from the water and finally drying it.
Abstract:
AN IMPROVED SUPPLE, SYNTHETIC, MICROPOROUS VAPOR PERMEABLE SUEDE SHEET MATERIAL OF A NON-WOVEN SYTHETIC NEXIBLE FIROUS WEB THAT IS IMPREGNATED WITH A POLYMERIC BINDER OF AN ACRYLIC POLYMER AND ABOUT 0.1-20 PARTS OF ADDITIVE PER 100 PARTS OF POLYMER WHERE THE ADDITIVE IS EITHER A HYDROCARBON OIL, SILICONE OIL, ALKYL OLEATE, OR DIALKYL SEBACATE.
Abstract:
Pressure sensing layers, devices comprising same, pressure sensing monitors and composite materials comprising a) a porous matrix material comprising a siloxane polymer, comprising a closed porosity volume fraction, and, optionally, an open porosity volume fraction, and b) a carbonaceous conductive or semiconductive filler substantially present in said closed porosity volume fraction of said porous matrix material a), and films, coated substrates and multilayer structures comprising the composite material and the use thereof in pressure sensing devices.