Abstract: Carbon-silicon compositions including nanofibrillar carbon networks coated with porous interconnected silicon and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a composite material including a nanoporous carbon-based scaffold and a silicon-based material. The nanoporous carbon-based scaffold includes a pore structure that includes a fibrillar morphology, where the silicon-based material is contained in the pore structure. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention describes aerogel materials comprising an additive comprising a compound comprising at least two different metal elements. Another embodiment, involves aerogel particulates in combination with said compound. Said compound preferably comprises at least two different transition metal elements and may be in an oxide form.

Abstract: Sulfur is removed from a hydrocarbon fuel via contact with a desulfurization agent; the desulfurization agent is then regenerated (wherein sulfur is released) by exposing it to oxygen. The sulfur removal and regeneration processes each can be carried out at relatively moderate temperatures, e.g., from 300 to 600° C., and pressure, e.g., about 0.79 to about 3.5 MPa; and the desulfurization agent can include a transition metal oxide, such as molybdenum oxide. The process can also include the additional steps of cracking the hydrocarbon, separating high-boiling and low-boiling fractions from the reaction product and contacting the lower-boiling fraction with a secondary desulfurization agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe insulation systems comprising foam and nanoporous aerogel materials. Generally speaking, the insulation systems of the present invention may be employed for thermal management of essentially any surface, or volume whether enclosed fully or partially. The aerogel material(s) may reside between a foam material(s) and the region(s) to be insulated, encased partially or fully in the foam material(s) or otherwise combined therewith.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe hybrid organic-inorganic aerogel materials wherein a variety of organic components are incorporated into the aerogel. Methods provided herein allow functionalization and or reinforcement of aerogels starting with urea or urethane formation reactions, gelation with inorganic precursors and subsequent drying thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes hybrid gel materials with interpenetrating polyisocyanate and inorganic polymer networks. In the preferred embodiments, the polyisocyanate network comprises polyurea, polyurethane or both while the inorganic network comprises silica.

Abstract: The invention provides reinforced aerogel monoliths as well as fiber reinforced composites thereof for a variety of uses. Compositions and methods of preparing the monoliths and composites are also provided. Application of these materials in transparent assemblies is also discussed.

Abstract: A preparation process of polyimide aerogels that composed of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines or a combined aromatic and aliphatic diamines is described. Also descried is a process to produce carbon aerogels derived from polyimide aerogel composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride. Finally, the processes to produce carbon aerogels or xerogel-aerogel hybrid, both of which impregnated with highly dispersed transition metal clusters, and metal carbide aerogels, deriving from the polyimide aerogels composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride, are described. The polyimide aerogels and the polyimide aerogel derivatives consist of interconnecting mesopores with average pore size at 10 to 30 nm and a mono-dispersed pore size distribution. The gel density could be as low as 0.008 g/cc and accessible surface area as high as 1300 m2/g.

Abstract: A preparation process of polyimide aerogels that composed of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines or a combined aromatic and aliphatic diamines is described. Also descried is a process to produce carbon aerogels derived from polyimide aerogel composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride. Finally, the processes to produce carbon aerogels or xerogel-aerogel hybrid, both of which impregnated with highly dispersed transition metal clusters, and metal carbide aerogels, deriving from the polyimide aerogels composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride, are described. The polyimide aerogels and the polyimide aerogel derivatives consist of interconnecting mesopores with average pore size at 10 to 30 nm and a mono-dispersed pore size distribution. The gel density could be as low as 0.008 g/cc and accessible surface area as high as 1300 m2/g.

Abstract: A preparation process of polyimide aerogels that composed of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines or a combined aromatic and aliphatic diamines is described. Also descried is a process to produce carbon aerogels derived from polyimide aerogel composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride. Finally, the processes to produce carbon aerogels or xerogel-aerogel hybrid, both of which impregnated with highly dispersed transition metal clusters, and metal carbide aerogels, deriving from the polyimide aerogels composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride, are described. The polyimide aerogels and the polyimide aerogel derivatives consist of interconnecting mesopores with average pore size at 10 to 30 nm and a mono-dispersed pore size distribution. The gel density could be as low as 0.008 g/cc and accessible surface area as high as 1300 m2/g.

Abstract: A preparation process of polyimide aerogels that composed of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines or a combined aromatic and aliphatic diamines is described. Also descried is a process to produce carbon aerogels derived from polyimide aerogel composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride. Finally, the processes to produce carbon aerogels or xerogel-aerogel hybrid, both of which impregnated with highly dispersed transition metal clusters, and metal carbide aerogels, deriving from the polyimide aerogels composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride, are described. The polyimide aerogels and the polyimide aerogel derivatives consist of interconnecting mesopores with average pore size at 10 to 30 nm and a mono-dispersed pore size distribution. The gel density could be as low as 0.008 g/cc and accessible surface area as high as 1300 m2/g.