Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing xerogel composites, which comprises: (a) provision of a composition comprising an organic gel precursor (A) comprising a monomer component (A1) composed of at least one polyfunctional isocyanate and a monomer component (A2) composed of at least one compound selected from among polyfunctional amines and polyfunctional hydroxy compounds; (b) reaction of the gel precursor (A) in the presence of an open-celled macroporous foam (B) and a solvent (C) to form a xerogel composite; (c) drying of the xerogel composite by conversion of the solvent (C) into the gaseous state at a temperature and a pressure below the critical temperature and the critical pressure of the solvent (C). The invention further relates to the xerogel composites which can be obtained in this way and their use as insulating material, for thermal insulation, vacuum insulation panels, in refrigeration units or in buildings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a solid catalytic composition based on a functionalized porous organic material, wherein: (A) organogelator compounds are self-assembled, within a medium comprising organic monomers, in the form of fibrillar structures having a diameter ranging from 10 nm to 100 nm; and then (B) the monomers are then polymerized; and then (C) the organogelator compounds are extracted from the polymer material, thereby obtaining a porous polymer material (M0), wherein the monomers bear reactive R functions, for which the presence is sought on the material; or said reactive R functions in protected form; or functions able to allow grafting of said reactive R functions on the polymer materials; and wherein, following step (C), (D) all or part of the functions present at the walls of the mesopores of the polymer material (M0) are converted where appropriate into reactive R functions and a composition is recovered comprising a porous polymer material (M) bearing the reactive R fu

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing xerogel composites, which comprises: (a) provision of a composition comprising an organic gel precursor (A) comprising a monomer component (A1) composed of at least one polyfunctional isocyanate and a monomer component (A2) composed of at least one compound selected from among polyfunctional amines and polyfunctional hydroxy compounds; (b) reaction of the gel precursor (A) in the presence of an open-celled macroporous foam (B) and a solvent (C) to form a xerogel composite; (c) drying of the xerogel composite by conversion of the solvent (C) into the gaseous state at a temperature and a pressure below the critical temperature and the critical pressure of the solvent (C). The invention further relates to the xerogel composites which can be obtained in this way and their use as insulating material, for thermal insulation, vacuum insulation panels, in refrigeration units or in buildings.

Abstract: An adjustable attenuation system 10 for a space re-entry vehicle seat having a frame 12 that supports at least one seat 14 mounted to and supported on the frame 12 at the seat back. A plurality of struts 16 is attached to the frame 12 in predetermined locations 18. The struts 16 are also attached, by way of mounting brackets 20 to predetermined locations on the spacecraft (not shown). The struts 16 are interconnected by a tubing system 22, which sets the tension of the struts 16 by way of a controller 24.

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) that is fully adjustable between a maximum seat configuration a minimum seat configuration and a stretcher configuration. The seat assembly (10) has a frame (11) that supports multiple panel elements (12) that are slidably adjustable with respect to each adjoining panel in order to adjust the size and position of various elements of the seat. The seat has an upper back panel (14) and a lower back panel (16) slidably engaged to each other to define the seat back, a rear seat panel (20) and a front seat panel (22) slidably engaged with each other to define a seat bottom and a lower leg panel (26) and a footrest (24) that are slidably engaged with each other. The seat bottom (20), the lower leg panel (26) and the footrest (24) are hinged to fully extend the seat into a stretcher configuration.

Abstract: A two-part seat (10) providing full body support that is specific for each crew member (30) on an individual basis. The two-part construction for the seat (10) can accommodate many sizes and shapes for crewmembers (30) because it is reconfigurable and therefore reusable for subsequent flights. The first component of the two-part seat construction is a composite shell (12) that surrounds the crewmember's entire body and is generically fitted to their general size in height and weight. The second component of the two-part seat (10) is a cushion (20) that conforms exactly to the specific crewmember's entire body and gives total body support in more complex environment.