Abstract: Aerogel compositions, methods for preparing the aerogel compositions, articles of manufacture that include or are made from the aerogel compositions are described and uses thereof. The aerogels include a branched polyimide matrix with little to no crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Aerogel compositions, methods for preparing the aerogel compositions, articles of manufacture that include or are made from the aerogel compositions are described and uses thereof. The aerogels include a branched polyimide matrix with little to no crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Internally reinforced aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. An internally reinforced aerogel includes an aerogel having a support at least partially penetrating the aerogel and having the aerogel penetrating the porous structure of the support.

Abstract: Aerogel compositions, methods for preparing the aerogel compositions, articles of manufacture that include or are made from the aerogel compositions are described and uses thereof. The aerogels include a branched polyimide matrix with little to no crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Abstract: A protective polymeric coating is applied to the surface of various objects which are to be exposed to a harsh environment. The protective polymeric coating covers the exposed surface, where the polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer. The polyimide polymer in the polymeric coating has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying object.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Abstract: A protective polymeric coating is applied to the surface of various objects which are to be exposed to a harsh environment. The protective polymeric coating covers the exposed surface, where the polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer. The polyimide polymer in the polymeric coating has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying object.

Abstract: A protective polymeric coating is applied to the surface of various objects which are to be exposed to a harsh environment. The protective polymeric coating covers the exposed surface, where the polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer. The polyimide polymer in the polymeric coating has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying object.

Abstract: A reflective film includes a polymeric layer and a reflective component. The polymeric layer includes a polyimide polymer, where the polyimide polymer has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A solar panel has a face which can be directed towards the sun for generating heat or electricity. The solar panel face is protected by a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer made by reacting at least one acid monomer with at least one diamine monomer to form the polyimide polymer backbone. The monomers are selected such that the polyimide backbone includes at least one non-terminal attachment point. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is attached to the polyimide backbone by reacting a functional group to the attachment point, where the functional group is connected to the oligomeric silsesquioxane compound. The polymeric compound can provide a relatively lightweight protective layer for the solar panel, which can reduce the total weight of the solar panel.

Abstract: A solar panel has a face which can be directed towards the sun for generating heat or electricity. The solar panel face is protected by a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer made by reacting at least one acid monomer with at least one diamine monomer to form the polyimide polymer backbone. The monomers are selected such that the polyimide backbone includes at least one non-terminal attachment point. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is attached to the polyimide backbone by reacting a functional group to the attachment point, where the functional group is connected to the oligomeric silsesquioxane compound. The polymeric compound can provide a relatively lightweight protective layer for the solar panel, which can reduce the total weight of the solar panel.

Abstract: A protective polymeric coating is applied to the surface of various objects which are to be exposed to a harsh environment. The protective polymeric coating covers the exposed surface, where the polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer. The polyimide polymer in the polymeric coating has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying object.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polymeric material. The method involves forming an interface between a plurality of separate polymeric sheets of materials. Next, heat and pressure are applied to facilitate the diffusion of the polymer molecules at the interface. A diffusion weld is made when the polymer molecules diffuse across the interface.

Abstract: A reflective film includes a polymeric layer and a reflective component. The polymeric layer includes a polyimide polymer, where the polyimide polymer has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for seaming a polyimide material. The method involves forming an interface between multiple the polyimide materials. Next, heat is applied to the interface to soften the polyimide material. The temperature of the heat source is below the melting point of the polyimide material. Finally, pressure is applied to the interface to create a seam between the polyimide materials.

Abstract: A soluble polyimide polymer with tethered oligomeric silsesquioxane compounds is produced using efficient, gentle reactions. A carboxylic acid attachment point on the polymer backbone is used to connect the oligomeric silsesquioxane. The oligomeric silsesquioxane compound includes an amine or an alcohol on an organic tether, which reacts with the carboxylic acid attachment point to produce either an amide or an ester bond. The amide or ester bond includes a carbonyl carbon directly connected to a phenyl group in the polymer backbone. The resultant polyimide polymer has many beneficial properties.