Invention:
Aerogel is a low-density solid material that is produced by removing the liquid component from a conventional gel. Ambient dried aerogels utilize calculated levels of temperature and pressure using certain chemicals to remove the liquids from the aerogel. This technology is a method of preparation of low density, porous aerogels without the use of supercritical temperatures and pressures from bridged polysilsesquioxane alcogels with dialkylsulfide, dialkyldisulfide, and dialkylpolysulfide bridging groups. These gels are prepared from bis (trialkoxysilyl) monomers which are dried by heating at ambient pressure over a period of days.
Background:
Aerogels are synthetic, porous materials that are derived from gels. Due to its solid state but low density, it is an ultralight material that can be used as a thermal insulator, desiccant, or even as a means of providing a waterproof coating. Aerogels are used for a variety of purposes from thickening agents to makeup and paint. After discontinued use in the 1970s, efforts began to develop a non-toxic, safer aerogel that was less hazardous and flammable. Aerogels have wide commercial applications in everything from wetsuits, skylights, windows, paints, cosmetics to nuclear weapons.
Currently, aerogels are dried by either using freeze or other supercritical methods. These methods are able to successfully dry the aerogels to their final state; however, there are some drawbacks. Both of those methods can be expensive and time consuming. This has led to a hindered growth in the market. A cheaper and quicker drying method would help lead to mass commercialization of aerogels.
Applications:
- Thermal insulators
- Absorbents
- Water resistance
- Wide range of commercial applications from cosmetics to nuclear weapons
Advantages:
- Cost effective
- Quicker than current drying methods
- Less hazardous/toxic
