Abstract: Cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels, as well as methods for making such cross-linked sol-gel like materials and cross-linked aerogels are described.

Abstract: Mesoscopically ordered, hydrothermally stable metal oxide-block copolymer composite or mesoporous materials are described herein that are formed by using amphiphilic block polymers which act as structure directing agents for the metal oxide in a self-assembling system.

Abstract: Structurally stable and mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels are provided. The aerogels are cross-linked via organic polymer chains that are attached to and extend from surface-bound functional groups provided or present over the internal surfaces of a mesoporous ceramic oxide particle network via appropriate chemical reactions. The functional groups can be hydroxyl groups, which are native to ceramic oxides, or they can be non-hydroxyl functional groups that can be decorated over the internal surfaces of the ceramic oxide network. Methods of preparing such mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels also are provided.

Abstract: A domestic appliance, particularly a cooking appliance, having a metallic surface, is provided with a coating based on silicon oxide. Such coating is deposited on the metallic surface by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The coating protects the metallic surface from scratching, staining and thermal yellowing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting body in which fine phosphor particles are dispersed in an oxide matrix, with the fine phosphor particles containing at least one selected from oxides and oxysulfides as a parent material. When this light-emitting body is dispersed in a resin, a resin composition having excellent transparency can be obtained. This light-emitting body can be produced by: preparing a gel through a sol-gel process in which a raw material solution containing a compound that supplies metal atoms composing the fine phosphor particles is used; and heating the gel at 400° C. or higher, for example. Preferably, the light-emitting body has a shape of a flake or fiber.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new class of high porosity materials with aerogel properties, based on metal oxides and their composites, possessing a high surface area and a high pore volume distributed within a specific pore diameter range. The pore distribution is monomodal and the porosity of the material is greater than 80%, conferring aerogel properties thereon while the absence of micropores (pores less than 2 nm in diameter) confers a high thermal stability to these materials. The characteristics of the product, including a low, if not zero, macroporosity, confer on the material a low dustiness compared to conventional aerogels, thus enabling them to be used effectively in production cycles.

Abstract: Sol-gel process comprising preparation of a solution of at least one compound having the formula Xm-M-(OR)n-m addition to the solution of the dopants, hydrolysis of the compound to form the sol, possible addition of an oxide, gelling the sol, recycling the liquid and adjusting the pH-value of the liquid in order to fix the dopants in the aquagel, gel drying and densifying to obtain the glass.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the DP-bioglass to use in dental fracture repair via the carbon dioxide laser, the method comprises the steps: mixing and co-dissolving silicon and phosphoric acid raw material into ethanol; sequentially adding nitric acid, calcium and sodium raw material and stirring; standing, drying, triturating and heating the composition to obtain a glass powder material consisting of Na2O—CaO—SiO2—P2O5 and drying the oxide material mixing with a phosphoric acid to react the DP-bioglass.

Abstract: A process for the production of a self-supporting glass film is described. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture containing a colloidal silica sol, at least one alkanolamine organic additive and an organic binder; coating the mixture onto a base material; drying the coated mixture to form a precursor film on the base material; releasing the precursor film from the base material; and firing the released precursor film to form a self-supporting glass film. Self-supporting glass films produced by the disclosed process are also described.

Abstract: A process is described for production of a self-supporting glass film that includes the steps of preparing a boron-containing aqueous solution containing boric acid and an alkanolamine; producing a mixture that includes the boron-containing aqueous solution, a colloidal silica sol and an organic binder; applying the mixture onto a base material to form a coating; drying the coating to form a precursor film on the base material; releasing the precursor film from the base material; and firing the released precursor film. A self-supporting glass film prepared using this process is also described.

Abstract: Aerogel composite materials having a lofty fibrous batting reinforcement preferably in combination with one or both of individual short randomly oriented microfibers and conductive layers exhibit improved performance in one or all of flexibility, drape, durability, resistance to sintering, x-y thermal conductivity, x-y electrical conductivity, RFI-EMI attenuation, and/or burn-through resistance.

Abstract: A synthetic fire opal having similar physical and chemical properties as natural fire opal. The synthetic fire opal is colored, hard, and transparent. The synthetic fire opal comprises SiO2 and water.

Abstract: Subjects for the invention are to obtain a quartz powder having a high purity and high quality and a process for producing the same and to obtain a glass molding formed by melting and molding the powder and extremely reduced in bubble inclusion. The invention provides a quartz powder, preferably a synthetic quartz powder obtained by the sol-gel method, which, upon heating from room temperature to 1,700° C., generates gases in which the amount of CO is 300 nl/g or smaller and the amount of CO2 is 30 nl/g or smaller.

Abstract: A new class of nanostructured RE-doped SiO2-base materials that display superior fluorescence properties is provided. In particular, high gain combined with a broad and flat spectral band width is observed in material composed of a high fraction of a nano-dispersed metastable silicate phase in a glassy SiO2 matrix, produced by partial devitrification (crystallization) of several glassy Al2O3/Er2O3- and Y2O3/Er2O3-doped SiO2 compositions. Also, a highly deconvoluted spectral emission, with several prominent peaks, is observed in completely devitrified material, consisting of a uniform nano-dispersion of an equilibrium silicate phase in a crystobalite SiO2 matrix. Such enhanced fluorescence properties were observed in heat treated nanopowders prepared by vapor-phase, solgel, rapid solidification, and spray-pyrolysis methods.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved quartz glass body, especially an improved quartz glass crucible for melting non-metals, non-ferrous metals, or silicon, and a method and casting mold for making it The quartz glass body is made by a method in which a quartz glass-water mixture is supplied to a casting mold comprising an outer part and an inner part, dried in the mold, and put under an overpressure during the drying. Later a resulting green glass body is removed from the mold. At least a portion of the shaping surfaces of the inner part of the mold are surfaces of a water-impermeable substance. The method provides a cast body with a reduced tendency to crack and with a smaller open porosity.

Abstract: Process for preparing nanocrystalline lithium titanate spinels by reacting lithium hydroxide and a titanium alkoxide at elevated temperature in a reaction mixture which forms water of reaction.

Abstract: A method for fabricating silica glass is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) hydrolyzing silicon alkoxide; (b) hydrolyzing heterometal alkoxide containing Bi and Ti components; (c) mixing a solution containing hydrolyzed products of the silicon alkoxide and a solution containing hydrolyzed products of the heterometal alkoxide, thus forming a mixed solution; (d) molding gel by pouring the mixed solution into a forming mold; (e) drying the molded gel; and (e) performing heat-treatment of the dried gel so as to vitrify the gel.

Abstract: An aerogel material with surfaces containing fluorine atoms which exhibits exceptional hydrophobicity, or the ability to repel liquid water. Hydrophobic aerogels are efficient absorbers of solvents from water. Solvents miscible with water are separated from it because the solvents are more volatile than water and they enter the porous aerogel as a vapor across the liquid water/solid interface. Solvents that are immisicble with water are separated from it by selectively wetting the aerogel. The hydrophobic property is achieved by formulating the aerogel using fluorine containing molecules either directly by addition in the sol-gel process, or by treating a standard dried aerogel using the vapor of fluorine containing molecules.

Abstract: Mesoscopically ordered, hydrothermally stable metal oxide-block copolymer composite or mesoporous materials are described herein that are formed by using amphiphilic block polymers which act as structure directing agents for the metal oxide in a self-assembling system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing optical glasses and colored glasses with the aid of a fluid phase sintering process from a basic material encompassing at least SiO.sub.2 powder as well as additives for reducing the temperature of the fluid phase sintering and/or melting process encompassing the following steps: the starting materials are dissolved in any sequence in a fluid medium to produce a solution as far as is possible and a suspension to the extent that they are not dispersed in solution; a greenbody is produced from the dissolved and dispersed starting materials; the greenbody is dried the dried greenbody is fluid-phase sintered at temperatures below 1200° C., in particular in the temperature range from 600° C. to 1200° C.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution for forming a doped gel monolith includes providing a first substance including a metal alkoxide. The method further includes providing a second substance including a catalyst. The method further includes providing a chemical including a dopant. The method further includes forming a solution including the dopant, said forming including mixing the first substance and the second substance together. The method further includes cooling the solution to a mixture temperature which is at or below zero degrees Celsius, wherein the solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature than at room temperature.

Abstract: The use of large dense vitreous spherical (LDVS) silica powders for making sol-gel silica bodies has been found to have important advantages. Among these are higher gel strength, higher silica loading, more rapid aging and drying of the gel, a reduction in the amount of organic additives leading to reduced process time required for organic burn-off, and easier removal of contaminant particles due to their larger size. It was also discovered that combining LDVS particles with conventional non-spherical, lower density, aggregate particle mixtures, further improves the process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to produce ceramic materials utilizing the sol-gel process. The methods enable the preparation of intimate homogeneous dispersions of materials while offering the ability to control the size of one component within another. The method also enables the preparation of materials that will densify at reduced temperature.

Abstract: Aerogel composite materials having a lofty fibrous batting reinforcement preferably in combination with one or both of individual short randomly oriented microfibers and conductive layers exhibit improved performance in one or all of flexibility, drape, durability, resistance to sintering, x-y thermal conductivity, x-y electrical conductivity, RFI-EMI attenuation, and/or burn-through resistance.

Abstract: A method of forming a gel monolith includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming the gel monolith.

Abstract: A thermochemically stable oxidic thermal insulating material presenting phase stability, which can be used advantageously as a thermal insulating layer on parts subjected to high thermal stress, such as turbine blades or such like. The thermal insulating material can be processed by plasma spraying and consists preferably of a magnetoplumbite phase whose preferred composition is MMeAl11O19, where M is La or Nd and where Me is chosen from among zinc, the alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and rare earths, preferably from magnesium, zinc, cobalt, manganese, iron, nickel and chromium.

Abstract: A low reflection film comprising silica fine particles and a binder in a weight ratio proportion of 60:40 to 95:5 is obtained by mixing starting fine particles comprising at least non-aggregated silica fine particles with a mean particle size of 40-1000 nm and/or linear (chain-like) aggregated silica fine particles with a mean primary particle size of 10-100 nm, a hydrolyzable metal compound, water, and a solvent, hydrolyzing the hydrolyzable metal compound in the presence of the starting fine particles, and then coating the prepared coating solution onto a glass base substrate and subjecting it to heat treatment. The obtained low reflection film is a single-layer low reflection film with low reflectivity, excellent abrasion resistance, high film strength and excellent contamination removal property, and coating of the low reflection film onto glass base substrates can give low reflection glass articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a colloidal aqueous silicate dispersion containing silica and alumina, the molar ratio between silica and alumina being 2-12, as well as to a method for its preparation. Said method is characterized by dissolving a particulate mineral material, such as a mineral wool or fiber product containing silica and alumina in a molar ratio of 2-12 in an aqueous solution, nucleating and stabilizing the so obtained solution, and optionally adjusting the dry matter content of the dispersion so obtained. The said dispersion can also be made to gel. The invention is also directed to the use of the dispersion as a binder.

Abstract: An infrared absorption filter consisting of 70 to 98 mol % of SiO2, 1 to 12 mol % of CuO and 1 to 18 mol % of a network modifier oxide than CuO or CdO is provided. A process of fabricating an infrared absorption filter is also provided. The process comprises introducing a divalent copper compound and a compound of a metal species acting as a network modifier oxide in the form of metal ions into a wet gel. The wet gel can be dipped in a dipping solution to precipitate the divalent copper compound and the compound of a metal species acting as the network modifier oxide in the wet gel. The wet gel can be dried and heated, thereby obtaining an infrared absorption glass. The infrared absorption glass can be cut and polished, thereby fabricating a filter.

Abstract: An inorganic composition comprises an inorganic matrix, wherein an inorganic layered compound is contained in the inorganic matrix. The inorganic matrix is preferably a metal oxide glass produced by a sol-gel method, and the inorganic layered compound is preferably swelling synthetic mica. A method of producing a film includes the steps of: hydrolyzing, dehydrating, and condensing an organic metal compound to obtain a reaction product; adding and dispersing the inorganic layered compound in the reaction product; coating the reaction product containing the inorganic layered compound on a substrate surface; and heating the substrate surface coated with the reaction product at a temperature of not more than 200° C. to vitrify the reaction product.

Abstract: A method for forming a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method includes the step of preparing a microemulsion. The method of the present embodiment then recites applying the microemulsion to a surface above which it is desired to form a region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material. Next, the present method recites subjecting the microemulsion, which has been applied to the surface, to a thermal process such that the region of low dielectric constant nanoporous material is formed above the surface.

Abstract: Sintered, translucent ceramic microbeads, preferably alumina, titania, zirconia, yttria, zirconium phosphate, or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) are doped with one or more optically active species. The beads may be added to substances such as explosives in order to create a distinctive optical signature that identifies a manufacturer, lot number, etc. in the event of the need for forensic analysis. Because the beads have a generally spherical surface, the radius of curvature provides an additional distinguishing characteristic by which a particular sample may be identified. The beads could also be formulated into paints if needed to create distinctive optical signatures for camouflage, decoys, or other countermeasures and could also be applied as a dust to track the movement of personnel, vehicles, etc.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a xerogel monolith having a pore diameter distribution includes preparing a first solution comprising metal alkoxide and preparing a second solution comprising a catalyst. A third solution is prepared by mixing the first solution and the second solution together. At least one of the first, second, and third solutions is cooled to achieve a mixture temperature for the third solution which is substantially below room temperature, wherein the third solution has a significantly longer gelation time at the mixture temperature as compared to a room temperature gelation time for the third solution. The method further includes allowing the third solution to gel, thereby forming a wet gel monolith. The method further includes forming the xerogel monolith by drying the wet gel monolith.

Abstract: Macroporous ceramics were produced using the droplets of an emulsion as the templates around which the ceramic is deposited through a sol-gel process. Subsequent aging, drying and calcination yields a ceramic with pores in the range of 0.1 to several micrometers which have been left behind by the droplets. The unique deformability of the droplets prevents cracking and pulverization during processing and allows one to obtain porosities in excess of 74%. By starting with a monodisperse emulsion (produced through a repeated fractionation procedure) pores with a uniform and controllable size have been obtained. Self-assembly of these droplets into a colloidal crystal leads to ceramics which contain ordered arrays of pores. A wide range of porosities is obtainable with the advantages of low-temperature sol-gel processing, with a high degree of control and low cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing particles having a particle size of less than 100 nm and surface areas of at least 20 m2/g where the particles are free from agglomeration. The method involves synthesizing the particles within an emulsion having a 1-40% water content to form reverse micelles. In particular, the particles formed are metal oxide particles. The particles can be used to oxidize hydrocarbons, particularly methane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic coating material which includes stirring a material including a complex oxide in the presence of a catalyst containing platinum group elements. The material is a sol-gel material which includes at least one of a hydrolysate and a polycondensate of the complex oxide.

Abstract: The amount of residual carbon and hydroxyl groups in a synthetic quartz powder made by a wet process is reduced by baking the synthetic quartz powder in a low pressure atmosphere. Quartz glass crucibles made using the synthetic quartz powder have low bubble contents, and are particularly suited for growing single crystals.

Abstract: Inorganic powder as a plasma display panel material comprises a powdery material containing glass powder. The powdery material has a moisture content adjusted to fall within a range between 0.1 and 2 mass %. The powdery material may include the glass powder alone or may further comprise ceramics powder in addition to the glass powder. The inorganic powder may be used as a paste or a green sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositional buffers for electronic ceramics containing volatile elements, and a method for manufacturing the same, as well as a method for manufacturing electronic ceramics using the compositional buffer.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: Porous ceramics are described, which are produced by a) mixing an aqueous solution of a suitable ionotropically orientable polyanion, either with oxides, hydroxides or hydrated oxides, which are present in the form of a sol, of the metals Al, Zr, Ti and Nb, or with finely crystalline oxides, hydroxides or hydrated oxides, which are present in suspension, of these metals, or with finely crystalline tricalcium phosphate or apatite which are present in suspension, b) bringing the mixed sol obtained as in a) or the suspension obtained as in a) into contact with a solution of a salt of a di- or trivalent metal cation in order to produce an ionotropic gel body, c) compacting the gel body by introducing it into electrolyte solutions which further enhance the syneresis of the polyelectrolyte which was originally formed, d) washing the gel body with water and subsequently impregnating it with a readily volatile, water-miscible solvent, e) freeing the anhydrous gel body or gel bodies obtained as in d) from the

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating high-purity silica glass using a sol-gel processing that includes the steps of: (a) mixing a deionized water with a fluorine compound and a dispersion agent to prepare an aqueous premix solution; (b) mixing the aqueous premix solution with a fumed silica; (c) mixing the resulting mixture to form a dispersed sol; (d) aging the sol at the ambient temperature to stabilize silica particles; and, (e) removing air voids from the sol and adding a gelation agent.

Abstract: An improved flatting agent comprising an inorganic hydrogel having a pore volume of at least 1.0 ml/g, an average particle size in the range 1 to 10 microns, and a particle size distribution such that when the flatting agent is dispersed in a coating, the fineness of grind is at least 4.75 on the Hegman scale. The inorganic hydrogel flatting agents of this invention are prepared by milling an inorganic hydrogel under controlled temperature conditions wherein a volatiles content of at least 40 weight percent is maintained, to produce inorganic hydrogel particles characterized by a pore volume of at least 1.0 ml/g, an average particle size in the range of 1 to 10 microns, and a particle size distribution such that when the flatting agent is dispersed in a coating, the fineness of grind is at least 4.75 on the Hegman scale.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite is provided having a mesoporous architecture that improves the accessibility of a nanoscopic catalyst, supported on conductive carbon, to a mass-transported reactant, or substrate, thereby leading to enhanced catalytic activity. In particular, the composite is useful for a new class of fuel-cell electrode architectures based on a composite aerogel that improves the accessibility of a carbon-supported Pt electrocatalyst to methanol (MeOH), leading to higher MeOH oxidation activities than observed at the native carbon supported Pt electrocatalyst. The composite comprises a nanoscopic Pt electrocatalyst, a carbon black electron-conducting support, and a silica aerogel.

Abstract: A process for making a functional film by adding a magnesium alkoxide and a diethanolamine, which can dissolve or disperse the magnesium alkoxide, in an organic solvent followed by allowing hydrolysis of the magnesium alkoxide to proceed in a rate-controlling manner wherein the magnesium alkoxide is dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent. Water is added in no more than a stoichiometric amount to the solution or dispersion partially to hydrolyze the magnesium alkoxide. The partial hydrolyzate solution is matured to grow magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide particles, resulting in a stable sol solution.

Abstract: Methods of more rapidly producing aerogel products by means of a rapid solvent exchange of solvent inside wet gels with supercritical CO2 by injecting supercritical, rather than liquid, CO2 into an extractor that has been pre-heated and pre-pressurized to substantially supercritical conditions or above. Preferably, pressure waves are applied to the supercritical CO2 to enhance the solvent exchange. The rapid solvent exchange process is followed by depressurization, optionally with a gas exchange. Preferably, pressure waves are used to speed up the depressurization. The process greatly reduces the time for forming aerogel products.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic particles having a glass surface which are substantially spherical. This invention also relates to methods for making them, as well as to suspensions thereof and their uses for the purification of DNA or RNA in particular in automated processes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to produce ceramic materials utilizing the sol-gel process. The methods enable the preparation of intimate homogeneous dispersions of materials while offering the ability to control the size of one component within another. The method also enables the preparation of materials that will densify at reduced temperature.