Abstract: The invention provides a method of cutting a wet gel sheet. The method includes positioning a wet gel sheet on a cutting support surface, so that a bottom face of the wet gel sheet is supported by the cutting support surface. The wet gel sheet is a porous material comprising solvent in at least some pores. The wet gel sheet is cut by moving a blade along a cutting path. The invention also provides an aerogel sheet formed by a process that includes the cutting method, as well as certain articles that include the cut aerogel sheet.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of cutting a wet gel sheet. The method includes positioning a wet gel sheet on a cutting support surface, so that a bottom face of the wet gel sheet is supported by the cutting support surface. The wet gel sheet is a porous material comprising solvent in at least some pores. The wet gel sheet is cut by moving a blade along a cutting path. The invention also provides an aerogel sheet formed by a process that includes the cutting method, as well as certain articles that include the cut aerogel sheet.

Abstract: The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides an IG unit that includes two glass sheets and an aerogel sheet located between the two glass sheets. The aerogel sheet is adhered to an interior surface of one of the two glass sheets by an adhesive, such that a face of the aerogel sheet is carried alongside the interior surface and has a portion that is devoid of the adhesive. In some cases, the adhesive is outside a vision area of the unit. In some cases, the adhesive securing the aerogel sheet to the interior surface is in contact with the first face of the aerogel sheet, and the adhesive contacts less than 10% of the first face of the aerogel sheet. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly that includes a frame and an IG unit mounted in the frame such that a vision area of the glazing assembly is located inwardly of the frame.

Abstract: Glass articles are provided that include a glass sheet with an aerogel sheet in a mounted position alongside the glass sheet. The aerogel sheet is retained in the mounted position by an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material can include an organic material, such as a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Methods of making glass articles are provided. Also provided are IG units that include encapsulated aerogel sheets, as well as related subassemblies, and methods of manufacturing such IG units and subassemblies.

Abstract: Glass articles are provided that include a glass sheet with an aerogel sheet in a mounted position alongside the glass sheet. The aerogel sheet is retained in the mounted position by an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material can include an organic material, such as a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Methods of making glass articles are provided. Also provided are IG units that include encapsulated aerogel sheets, as well as related subassemblies, and methods of manufacturing such IG units and subassemblies.

Abstract: Glass articles are provided that include a glass sheet with an aerogel sheet in a mounted position alongside the glass sheet. The aerogel sheet is retained in the mounted position by an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material can include an organic material, such as a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Methods of making glass articles are provided. Also provided are IG units that include encapsulated aerogel sheets, as well as related subassemblies, and methods of manufacturing such IG units and subassemblies.

Abstract: Glass articles are provided that include a glass sheet with an aerogel sheet in a mounted position alongside the glass sheet. The aerogel sheet is retained in the mounted position by an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material can include an organic material, such as a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Methods of making glass articles are provided. Also provided are IG units that include encapsulated aerogel sheets, as well as related subassemblies, and methods of manufacturing such IG units and subassemblies.

Abstract: The invention provides an IG unit that includes two glass sheets and an aerogel sheet located between the two glass sheets. The aerogel sheet is adhered to an interior surface of one of the two glass sheets by an adhesive, such that a face of the aerogel sheet is carried alongside the interior surface and has a portion that is devoid of the adhesive. In some cases, the adhesive is outside a vision area of the unit. In some cases, the adhesive securing the aerogel sheet to the interior surface is in contact with the first face of the aerogel sheet, and the adhesive contacts less than 10% of the first face of the aerogel sheet. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly that includes a frame and an IG unit mounted in the frame such that a vision area of the glazing assembly is located inwardly of the frame.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit having a between-pane space. An aerogel sheet is located in the between-pane space. Other embodiments provide methods of manufacturing such an IG unit. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide a glazing assembly that includes such an IG unit. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a spacer having a seating structure for supporting an aerogel sheet, while other embodiments provide an aerogel sheet holder for supporting an aerogel sheet. Preliminary glazing assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit having a between-pane space. An aerogel sheet is located in the between-pane space. Other embodiments provide methods of manufacturing such an IG unit. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide a glazing assembly that includes such an IG unit. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a spacer having a seating structure for supporting an aerogel sheet, while other embodiments provide an aerogel sheet holder for supporting an aerogel sheet. Preliminary glazing assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an IG unit that includes two glass sheets and an aerogel sheet located between the two glass sheets. The aerogel sheet is adhered to an interior surface of one of the two glass sheets by an adhesive, such that a face of the aerogel sheet is carried alongside the interior surface and has a portion that is devoid of the adhesive. In some cases, the adhesive is outside a vision area of the unit. In some cases, the adhesive securing the aerogel sheet to the interior surface is in contact with the first face of the aerogel sheet, and the adhesive contacts less than 10% of the first face of the aerogel sheet. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly that includes a frame and an IG unit mounted in the frame such that a vision area of the glazing assembly is located inwardly of the frame.