Abstract: Composites, such as syntactic foams, are described. The composite contains at least one polymer and at least one aerogel. The aerogel is coated with a coating substance to at least substantially prevent the intrusion of the polymer into the pores of the aerogel. Methods of making the composite are also described, as well as uses of the composite.

Abstract: A process of producing a blanket is described and can involve forming an aqueous slurry of hydrophobic aerogels, fibers, and at least one wetting agent, drying the aqueous slurry to form a substantially dried product, and calendaring the substantially dried product to form the blanket. The blanket can be used in a variety of applications, including windows.

Abstract: A method for packing and/or mixing particulate materials, e.g., aerogel particles, includes combining materials having different particle sizes and applying a negative pressure differential in the presence of a sound field. A negative pressure differential in the presence of vibration also can be used. The method increases mixing and packing density.

Abstract: A process of producing a blanket is described and can involve forming an aqueous slurry of hydrophobic aerogels, fibers, and at least one wetting agent, drying the aqueous slurry to form a substantially dried product, and calendaring the substantially dried product to form the blanket. The blanket can be used in a variety of applications, including windows.

Abstract: A process of producing a blanket is described and can involve forming an aqueous slurry of hydrophobic aerogels, fibers, and at least one wetting agent, drying the aqueous slurry to form a substantially dried product, and calendaring the substantially dried product to form the blanket. The blanket can be used in a variety of applications, including windows.

Abstract: A method for packing and/or mixing particulate materials, e.g., aerogel particles, includes combining materials having different particle sizes and applying a negative pressure differential in the presence of a sound field. A negative pressure differential in the presence of vibration also can be used. The method increases mixing and packing density.

Abstract: Fuel cells are described and contain a gas diffusion electrode, a gas diffusion counter-electrode, an electrolyte membrane located between the electrode and counter-electrode. The electrode or counter-electrode or both contain at least one modified carbon product. The electrolyte membrane can also or alternatively contain modified carbon products as well. The modified carbon product is a carbon product having attached at least one organic group. Preferably the organic group is a proton conducting group and/or an electron conducting group. The present invention preferably permits the elimination of fluoropolymer binder in the active or catalyst layer and further preferably leads to a thinner active layer and/or a thinner electrolyte membrane. Other uses and advantages are also described.

Abstract: Composites, such as syntactic foams, are described. The composite contains at least one polymer and at least one aerogel. The aerogel is coated with a coating substance to at least substantially prevent the intrusion of the polymer into the pores of the aerogel. Methods of making the composite are also described, as well as uses of the composite.

Abstract: A method of producing coated carbon black pellets is disclosed and includes contacting carbon black pellets with a coating agent to at least partially coat the individual carbon black pellets with the coating agent. The amount of coating agent applied to the carbon black pellets is preferably from about 1% or less by weight to about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the coated carbon black pellets. Coated carbon black pellets produced by the method are also provided and exhibit excellent attrition resistance, excellent dispersibility in various elastomeric, polymeric, and other compositions, are substantially dust-free, and are free-flowing. Additionally, such coated carbon black pellets can confer beneficial processing properties on elastomeric compositions formed from the pellets, such as improved viscosity and resistance to mold fouling.

Abstract: A process of producing a blanket is described and can involve forming an aqueous slurry of hydrophobic aerogels, fibers, and at least one wetting agent, drying the aqueous slurry to form a substantially dried product, and calendaring the substantially dried product to form the blanket. The blanket can be used in a variety of applications, including windows.

Abstract: Treated carbonaceous compositions comprising a carbonaceous material, preferably a carbon black, and an ester polymer treating agent. Also disclosed are polymer compositions incorporating the treated carbonaceous compositions and articles of manufacture formed from the polymer compositions.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition containing a modified carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate is disclosed, wherein at least one organic group is attached to the carbonaceous material. Furthermore, methods to increase the adsorption capacity of a carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate and methods to adsorb an adsorbate using the above-described adsorbent composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition containing a modified carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate is disclosed, wherein at least one organic group is attached to the carbonaceous material. Furthermore, methods to increase the adsorption capacity of a carbonaceous material capable of adsorbing an adsorbate and methods to adsorb an adsorbate using the above-described adsorbent composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses coating compositions comprising a liquid vehicle and a carbon product having a t-area greater than or equal to 400 m2/g. In addition, the present invention discloses coating compositions comprising a liquid vehicle and a modified carbon product having a t-area greater than or equal to 350 m2/g, wherein the modified carbon product comprises a carbon product having attached at least one organic group.

Abstract: A method of producing coated carbon black pellets is disclosed and includes contacting carbon black pellets with a coating agent to at least partially coat the individual carbon black pellets with the coating agent. The amount of coating agent applied to the carbon black pellets is preferably from about 1% or less by weight to about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the coated carbon black pellets. Coated carbon black pellets produced by the method are also provided and exhibit excellent attrition resistance, excellent dispersibility in various elastomeric, polymeric, and other compositions, are substantially dust-free, and are free-flowing. Additionally, such coated carbon black pellets can confer beneficial processing properties on elastomeric compositions formed from the pellets, such as improved viscosity and resistance to mold fouling.

Abstract: Fuel cells are described and contain a gas diffusion electrode, a gas diffusion counter-electrode, an electrolyte membrane located between the electrode and counter-electrode. The electrode or counter-electrode or both contain at least one modified carbon product. The electrolyte membrane can also or alternatively contain modified carbon products as well. The modified carbon product is a carbon product having attached at least one organic group. Preferably the organic group is a proton conducting group and/or an electron conducting group. The present invention preferably permits the elimination of fluoropolymer binder in the active or catalyst layer and further preferably leads to a thinner active layer and/or a thinner electrolyte membrane. Other uses and advantages are also described.

Abstract: Fuel cells are described and contain a gas diffusion electrode, a gas diffusion counter-electrode, an electrolyte membrane located between the electrode and counter-electrode. The electrode or counter-electrode or both contain at least one modified carbon product. The electrolyte membrane can also or alternatively contain modified carbon products as well. The modified carbon product is a carbon product having attached at least one organic group. Preferably the organic group is a proton conducting group and/or an electron conducting group. The present invention preferably permits the elimination of fluoropolymer binder in the active or catalyst layer and further preferably leads to a thinner active layer and/or a thinner electrolyte membrane. Other uses and advantages are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses coating compositions comprising a liquid vehicle and a carbon product having a t-area greater than or equal to 400 m2/g. In addition, the present invention discloses coating compositions comprising a liquid vehicle and a modified carbon product having a t-area greater than or equal to 350 m2/g, wherein the modified carbon product comprises a carbon product having attached at least one organic group.

Abstract: A treated carbon black may be produced by treating carbon black with at least one polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 1,000,000. The treated carbon black may be used in forming polymeric compositions, such as semi-conductive and insulating compounds, for example for use in electrical cables.

Abstract: Binder compositions are provided which include a mineral binder and a silicon-containing carbon black. The silicon-containing carbon black can have attached an ionic or ionizable organic group or can be oxidized. Silicon-containing carbon blacks may be prepared by a furnace method. The binder compositions of the present invention have improved coloring and weathering properties in comparison to binder compositions prepared with conventional carbon blacks. Furthermore, the binder compositions that incorporate silicon-containing carbon blacks having ionic or ionizable organic groups attached exhibit excellent dispersibility, even in pelletized form. Articles such as roofing tiles can be prepared from the binder compositions. Also contemplated is a method of improving the color stability of a mineral binder composition. Silicon-containing carbon blacks as described above are added to the mineral binder composition.