Abstract: A method of encapsulating a phase change material includes providing a co-axial ejector including first and second coaxially-disposed outlets, with the first outlet being inside of and surrounded by the second outlet. A core composition including a phase change material is fed to the first outlet. A coating composition is fed to the second outlet. The core composition and the coating composition are simultaneously ejected from the ejector onto a collector. The core composition is surrounded by the coating composition and together ejected onto the collector to form an encapsulated core-shell phase change material fiber. No voltage is applied to the ejector during ejection, and the method does not include electrospinning. The core-shell fiber has a phase change material core surrounded by a polymer shell and a diameter in the range of 10-10,000 ?m. The core constitutes from 30% to 97% by volume of the core-shell fiber.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture relating to a transparent/translucent insulating material formed by a hybrid silica gel composition made of porous silica particles joined with each other by silane crosslinking through a three dimensional silica network. In one embodiment, the hybrid silica gel includes small porous silica particles, and is made by a process that avoids energy intensive techniques.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to a surface includes the step of providing a reaction mixture comprising a silicon alkoxide and an alcohol. A reaction limiting amount of water is added. The silicon alkoxides and water are allowed to react to form silica precursor particles during an initial reaction period. A coating precursor composition is prepared by adding an acid soluble in the alcohol to the reaction mixture during a second reaction period after the initial reaction period. The precursor silica particles grow to form silica nanofeatures having a major dimension that is larger than a major dimension of the silica precursor particles. The coating precursor composition is applied to a surface, and the alcohol and water are allowed to evaporate and the silica nanofeatures to adhere to the surface and form a nanostructured layer on the surface. A coating precursor composition and a coated article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to a surface includes the step of providing a reaction mixture comprising a silicon alkoxide and an alcohol. A reaction limiting amount of water is added. The silicon alkoxides and water are allowed to react to form silica precursor particles during an initial reaction period. A coating precursor composition is prepared by adding an acid soluble in the alcohol to the reaction mixture during a second reaction period after the initial reaction period. The precursor silica particles grow to form silica nanofeatures having a major dimension that is larger than a major dimension of the silica precursor particles. The coating precursor composition is applied to a surface, and the alcohol and water are allowed to evaporate and the silica nanofeatures to adhere to the surface and form a nanostructured layer on the surface. A coating precursor composition and a coated article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite polymeric article, an additive for a polymeric article, and a composite polymeric article are provided. The method generally includes providing a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, providing a plurality of silica nanofibers, providing a polymeric material, and distributing the plurality of silica nanofibers and the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets within the polymeric material to achieve a composite article. The additive for a polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and a plurality of silica nanofibers. The composite polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, a plurality of silica nanofibers, and a polymeric matrix. The plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and the plurality of silica nanofibers are distributed within the polymeric matrix. The silica nanofibers have a mean cross sectional diameter of not more than 100 nm.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to a surface includes the step of providing a reaction mixture comprising a silicon alkoxide and an alcohol. A reaction limiting amount of water is added. The silicon alkoxides and water are allowed to react to form silica precursor particles during an initial reaction period. A coating precursor composition is prepared by adding an acid soluble in the alcohol to the reaction mixture during a second reaction period after the initial reaction period. The precursor silica particles grow to form silica nanofeatures having a major dimension that is larger than a major dimension of the silica precursor particles. The coating precursor composition is applied to a surface, and the alcohol and water are allowed to evaporate and the silica nanofeatures to adhere to the surface and form a nanostructured layer on the surface. A coating precursor composition and a coated article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture relating to a transparent/translucent insulating material formed by a hybrid silica gel composition made of porous silica particles joined with each other by silane crosslinking through a three dimensional silica network. In one embodiment, the hybrid silica gel includes small porous silica particles, and is made by a process that avoids energy intensive techniques.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite polymeric article, an additive for a polymeric article, and a composite polymeric article are provided. The method generally includes providing a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, providing a plurality of silica nanofibers, providing a polymeric material, and distributing the plurality of silica nanofibers and the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets within the polymeric material to achieve a composite article. The additive for a polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and a plurality of silica nanofibers. The composite polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, a plurality of silica nanofibers, and a polymeric matrix. The plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and the plurality of silica nanofibers are distributed within the polymeric matrix. The silica nanofibers have a mean cross sectional diameter of not more than 100 nm.

Abstract: A superhydrophobic coating including a plurality of particles and a resin. The particles covalently bond to the resin and the resin does not fill the pores of the superhydrophobic particles such that the three dimensional surface topology of the superhydrophobic particles is preserved.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer-metal oxide composite material resistant to degradation resulting from exposure to gamma irradiation, the method comprising exposing a composite precursor comprised of a heat-resistant polymer in which metal oxide nanoparticles are incorporated to gamma irradiation of at least 1 MRad in a flowing gas atmosphere for a period of at least 12 hours. The resulting radiation-resistant composite material and shaped articles of the material are also described.

Abstract: A superhydrophobic coating including a plurality of particles and a resin. The particles covalently bond to the resin and the resin does not fill the pores of the superhydrophobic particles such that the three dimensional surface topology of the superhydrophobic particles is preserved.

Abstract: A method of making a nanoparticle filled dielectric material. The method includes mixing nanoparticle precursors with a polymer material and reacting the nanoparticle precursors mixed with the polymer material to form nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer material to form a dielectric composite.

Abstract: A method of making a nanoparticle filled dielectric material. The method includes mixing nanoparticle precursors with a polymer material and reacting the nanoparticle precursors mixed with the polymer material to form nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer material to form a dielectric composite.