Systems and methods for aerogel preparation via vacuum-assisted solvent exchange and ambient pressure drying

    公开(公告)号:US11203004B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-21

    申请号:US17001955

    申请日:2020-08-25

    Inventor: Haibo Zhao

    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aerogel processing and production via vacuum-assisted solvent exchange and ambient pressure drying. In one example, a method includes injecting a solvent at each of a top surface and a base of a saturated aerogel and applying a vacuum-assisted pressure differential across the saturated aerogel to achieve solvent exchange. In some examples, following solvent exchange, the aerogel may be dried in ambient pressure and integrated in a vehicle component. In this way, a rate of solvent exchange may be increased, concomitantly increasing aerogel production efficiency. Further, in some examples, the aerogel may be protected from premature drying during solvent exchange.

    Non-contact quality control of fiber composites

    公开(公告)号:US10197516B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-02-05

    申请号:US15093307

    申请日:2016-04-07

    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting non-destructive testing of fiber composite components are disclosed. The system may include a wire coil proximate the component and a power source connected to the wire coil. A controller may be connected to the power source and configured to continuously vary a current passing through the wire coil to generate a constantly changing magnetic field. A temperature sensor may be configured to detect a temperature of a plurality of regions of the component. The power source may be an AC or DC power source. The method may include generating a constantly changing magnetic field in proximity to a carbon-fiber composite, thereby inducing an electrical current in the carbon-fiber composite, and measuring a temperature of a plurality of different regions of the carbon-fiber composite to determine whether a defect is present. A defect may be identified by a temperature abnormality in a region.

    LOW-COST, HIGH-VOLUME PRODUCTION METHOD FOR AEROGEL MONOLITH PRODUCTION IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

    公开(公告)号:US20230111164A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-13

    申请号:US17499821

    申请日:2021-10-12

    Inventor: Haibo Zhao

    Abstract: A method of producing a plurality of parts includes placing a sol mixture into a cavity of a tool, optionally placing a metal foil over a top of the cavity and placing a graphite gasket over the metal foil, and securing the tool with the sol mixture to form a tooling capsule. Tooling capsules are placed within a conveyor system and are heated until the solvent of the sol mixture reaches at least supercritical conditions of the solvent. Pressure is released within each of the tooling capsules after the supercritical conditions are reached, and then the tooling capsules are cooled to approximately room temperature. The parts are removed from the tooling capsules, and the method is continuous.

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