Abstract: A method of preparing a particulate material comprising the steps of adding silicic acid solution, optionally doped with aluminum, optionally added to a slurry of pre-existing nanoparticles at a neutral to slightly acidic pH of no more than seven, and at a temperature of about 20° to 30° C. This yields a polysilicate particulate dispersion. Then, the pH of the dispersion is raised to greater than seven, to stabilize/reinforce particles of the particulate dispersion. Optionally, the particles may be dried, and have increased porosity and surface area.

Abstract: Non-spherical siliceous particles having a plurality of porous branches are disclosed and claimed. The porous branches are randomly oriented and elongated, ring-like, and/or aggregated. An additive introduced during synthesis of the particles modifies pore volume and morphology. The tunability of the pore volume includes an inner diameter ranging from about 2 ? to about 50,000 ?. Synthesizing the particles includes mixing under constant or intermittent stirring in a reaction vessel an aqueous silicic acid solution with an acidic heel solution to form a mixture. The stirring may optionally be performed at a variable speed. An additive is introduced into the mixture at a controlled rate, wherein the additive imposes a pH change from a lower pH to a higher pH to the mixture to induce siliceous particle precipitation.

Abstract: Non-spherical siliceous particles having a plurality of porous branches are disclosed and claimed. The porous branches are randomly oriented and elongated, ring-like, and/or aggregated. An additive introduced during synthesis of the particles modifies pore volume and morphology. The tunability of the pore volume includes an inner diameter ranging from about 2 ? to about 50,000 ?. Synthesizing the particles includes mixing under constant or intermittent stirring in a reaction vessel an aqueous silicic acid solution with an acidic heel solution to form a mixture. The stirring may optionally be performed at a variable speed. An additive is introduced into the mixture at a controlled rate, wherein the additive imposes a pH change from a lower pH to a higher pH to the mixture to induce siliceous particle precipitation.

Abstract: A method of treating one or more hair shafts, each hair shaft including a cuticle layer and a cortex enclosed in the cuticle layer is disclosed. The method comprises: selecting one or more polymers that can penetrate the hair shafts with a pore size of about 5 angstroms to about 5000 angstroms; and treating the hair shafts by applying an effective amount of a composition containing said polymers to said hair shafts.

Abstract: A method of preparing a particulate material comprising the steps of adding silicic acid solution, optionally doped with aluminum, optionally added to a slurry of pre-existing nanoparticles at a neutral to slightly acidic pH of no more than seven, and at a temperature of about 20° to 30° C. This yields a polysilicate particulate dispersion. Then, the pH of the dispersion is raised to greater than seven, to stabilize/reinforce particles of the particulate dispersion. Optionally, the particles may be dried, and have increased porosity and surface area.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of carbon coatings on the surface of metal carbides, preferably SiC, by etching in a halogen-containing gaseous etchant, and optionally hydrogen gas, leading to the formation of a carbon layer on the metal carbide. The reaction is performed in gas mixtures containing 0 to two moles of hydrogen for every two moles of halogen gas, preferably about 0.5 to one mole of hydrogen gas for eery two moles of halogen gas, at temperatures from about 100° C. to about 4,000° C., preferably about 800° C. to about 1,000° C., over any time range, maintaining a pressure of preferably about one atmosphere.