An assembly for fixing an optical element in a manner that decouples the optical element from mechanical stresses and thermal strains while providing freedom to facilitate alignment of the optical element, and while also eliminating polymers that can cause contamination problems including a mount configured for attachment to an optical system; a plurality of flexible metal members, each flexible member having a first end affixed to or integrally extending from the mount, and a free end defining a bearing surface for supporting an optical element; and an inorganic adhesive joining a surface of the optical member to the bearing surface.

A method for producing a composite glue composed of an aerogel, an inorganic fiber, and an inorganic adhesive includes the following steps of: (1) mixing step, (2) hydrolysis step, (3) condensation step, (4) aging step, (5) high-temperature solvent replacement step, (6) evaporation and drying step, and (7) composition step. The obtained product thereof is a viscous composite glue composed of the aerogel, and the total content of the aerogel and an inorganic fiber is of 25-90 wt % after dried. Additionally, the obtained product can be used at a high temperature of more than 600° C., and has no phenomena of inorganic material decomposition and carcinogen production.

A method for producing a composite glue composed of an aerogel, an inorganic fiber, and an inorganic adhesive includes the following steps of: (1) mixing step, (2) hydrolysis step, (3) condensation step, (4) aging step, (5) high-temperature solvent replacement step, (6) evaporation and drying step, and (7) composition step. The obtained product thereof is a viscous composite glue composed of the aerogel, and the total content of the aerogel and an inorganic fiber is of 25-90 wt % after dried. Additionally, the obtained product can be used at a high temperature of more than 600° C., and has no phenomena of inorganic material decomposition and carcinogen production.

In at least one example, a composition for surface activation of an aerospace vehicle consists essentially of an organic solvent present in an amount from about 95 to about 99.5 volume percent, a transition metal alkoxide present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 5 volume percent, and a water content in an amount from about 0 to about 5 volume percent. In at least one example, a method of sealing a surface of an aerospace vehicle includes applying the composition to a surface of an aerospace vehicle. The composition applied to the surface is dried to form a transition metal oxide from the transition metal alkoxide. Excess of the transition metal oxide is removed from the surface. A sealant is applied over a remaining layer of the transition metal oxide on the surface.

In at least one example, a composition for surface activation of an aerospace vehicle consists essentially of an organic solvent present in an amount from about 95 to about 99.5 volume percent, a transition metal alkoxide present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 5 volume percent, and a water content in an amount from about 0 to about 5 volume percent. In at least one example, a method of sealing a surface of an aerospace vehicle includes applying the composition to a surface of an aerospace vehicle. The composition applied to the surface is dried to form a transition metal oxide from the transition metal alkoxide. Excess of the transition metal oxide is removed from the surface. A sealant is applied over a remaining layer of the transition metal oxide on the surface.

A method of forming an adhesively bonded structure may comprise applying a primer compound to a first substrate, wherein the primer compound comprises a functionalized nanomaterial dopant, drying the primer compound on the substrate to form a primer layer comprising the functionalized nanomaterial dopant, applying an adhesive compound over the primer layer to form an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive compound comprises the functionalized nanomaterial dopant, contacting the adhesive layer with a second substrate and curing the adhesive layer to form an adhesively bonded structure, wherein the first substrate is metallic and the second substrate is at least one of metallic or composite.

A method of forming an adhesively bonded structure may comprise applying a primer compound to a first substrate, wherein the primer compound comprises a functionalized nanomaterial dopant, drying the primer compound on the substrate to form a primer layer comprising the functionalized nanomaterial dopant, applying an adhesive compound over the primer layer to form an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive compound comprises the functionalized nanomaterial dopant, contacting the adhesive layer with a second substrate and curing the adhesive layer to form an adhesively bonded structure, wherein the first substrate is metallic and the second substrate is at least one of metallic or composite.

Adhesive compositions and methods for bonding materials with different thermal expansion coefficients is provided. The adhesive is formulated using a flux material, a low flux material, and a filler material, where the filler material comprises particulate from at least one of the two components being bonded together. A thickening agent can also be used as part of the adhesive composition to aid in applying the adhesive and establishing a desired bond thickness. The method of forming a high strength bond using the disclosed adhesive does not require the use of intermediary layer or the use of high cure temperatures that could damage one or both of the components being bonded together.

Adhesive compositions and methods for bonding materials with different thermal expansion coefficients is provided. The adhesive is formulated using a flux material, a low flux material, and a filler material, where the filler material comprises particulate from at least one of the two components being bonded together. A thickening agent can also be used as part of the adhesive composition to aid in applying the adhesive and establishing a desired bond thickness. The method of forming a high strength bond using the disclosed adhesive does not require the use of intermediary layer or the use of high cure temperatures that could damage one or both of the components being bonded together.

An adhesive with a refractive index of 2.0 and over is transparent at an infra-red band. A production method of the adhesive and a beam splitter prism set is provided. The beam splitter prism set separates middle and far infra-red beam paths for electro-optical monitoring systems according to wavelengths of the middle and far infra-red beam paths, wherein in the electro-optical monitoring systems the adhesive is used.