The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of making quantum dots (QDs) (passivated or unpassivated) using a continuous flow process, systems for making QDs using a continuous flow process, and the like. In one or more embodiments, the QDs produced using embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in solar photovoltaic cells, bio-imaging, IR emitters, or LEDs.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of making quantum dots (QDs) (passivated or unpassivated) using a continuous flow process, systems for making QDs using a continuous flow process, and the like. In one or more embodiments, the QDs produced using embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in solar photovoltaic cells, bio-imaging, IR emitters, or LEDs.

The present invention relates to an apparatus of manufacturing an aerogel sheet. The apparatus of manufacturing the aerogel sheet includes: a fixing vessel into which a blanket is inserted; and an impregnation device putting a silica sol precursor into the blanket inserted into the fixing vessel to impregnate and gelate the silica sol precursor, wherein the impregnation device includes a rotation roller moving from one end to the other end of a top surface of the blanket while rotating to put the stored silica sol precursor into the blanket and thereby to impregnate and gelate the silica sol precursor.

Aerogel-based components and systems for electric vehicle thermal management are provided. Exemplary embodiments include a heat control member. The heat control member can include reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance for use as heat control members and thermal barriers for batteries, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework reinforced with a fiber and including one or more opacifying additives.

Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and related apparatuses are described herein. In the disclosed methods, drops of a hydrocolloid gel suspension are dropped into a reactant bath. The drops of hydrocolloid gel are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, during which the drops form firm or semi-firm beads. The beads are then removed from the reactant bath. The resulting hydrocolloid beads are advantageously resistant to syneresis and can provide high nutritional and water content.

A process for gas-phase synthesis of titanium dioxide aerosol gels with controlled monomer size and crystalline phase using a diffusion flame aerosol reactor operated in a buoyancy-opposed configuration is disclosed. The process includes introducing a precursor stream into a diffusion flame aerosol reactor, introducing a fuel stream into the reactor, combusting the precursor stream and the fuel stream in a flame to form at least one nanoparticle, and operating the reactor in a down-fired buoyancy-opposed configuration to produce the aerosol gel.

The current disclosure provides reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance in aqueous environments, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable, reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework, reinforced with an open-cell macroporous framework, and includes one or more fire-class additives, where the silica-based aerogel framework comprises at least one hydrophobic-bound silicon and the composition or each of its components has desired properties.

Methods and materials are described for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid gel compositions where a sulfur-containing cross-linking agent covalently links the organic and inorganic components. The gel compositions are further dried to provide porous gel compositions and aerogels. The mechanical and thermal properties of the dried gel compositions are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides methods for forming sol-gels, sol-gel films and substrates, such as vehicle components, having a sol-gel film disposed thereon. At least one method of forming a sol-gel includes mixing a metal alkoxide, an acid stabilizer, and an organic solvent to form a first mixture having about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the first mixture. The method includes mixing an organosilane with the first mixture to form a second mixture having about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the second mixture.