Abstract: This invention relates to coating compositions for thermal protection of substrates (particularly for protecting surfaces that are subject to transient, extreme temperature excursions), processes for manufacturing the coating and methods for applying them. The coating is designed to reduce/minimize the thermal diffusivity of the composite and uses constituent materials selected from groups of inorganic fibers, hollow microspheres, aerogels, and inorganic binders. Thermal diffusivity can be reduced/minimized by controlling the relative concentrations of the coating components.

Abstract: This invention relates to coating compositions for thermal protection of substrates (particularly for protecting surfaces that are subject to transient, extreme temperature excursions), processes for manufacturing the coating and methods for applying them. The coating is designed to reduce/minimize the thermal diffusivity of the composite and uses constituent materials selected from groups of inorganic fibers, hollow microspheres, aerogels, and inorganic binders. Thermal diffusivity can be reduced/minimized by controlling the relative concentrations of the coating components.

Abstract: Nanostructured chromium(III)-oxide-based materials using sol-gel processing and a synthetic route for producing such materials are disclosed herein. Monolithic aerogels and xerogels having surface areas between 150 m2/g and 520 m2/g have been produced. The synthetic method employs the use of stable and inexpensive hydrated-chromium(III) inorganic salts and common solvents such as water, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, t-butanol, 2-ethoxy ethanol, and ethylene glycol, DMSO, and dimethyl formamide. The synthesis involves the dissolution of the metal salt in a solvent followed by an addition of a proton scavenger, such as an epoxide, which induces gel formation in a timely manner. Both critical point (supercritical extraction) and atmospheric (low temperature evaporation) drying may be employed to produce monolithic aerogels and xerogels, respectively.

Abstract: Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aerogel and xerogel composite materials suitable for use as anodes in fuel cells and batteries. Precursors to the aerogel and xerogel compounds are infused with inorganic polymeric materials or carbon particles and then gelled. The gels are then pyrolyzed to form composites with internal structural support.