High-temperature polymer aerogel composites, associated materials, associated methods of manufacture, and applications of polymer aerogel composites including engine covers comprising aerogel materials are generally described.

Aerogel compositions, methods for preparing the aerogel compositions, articles of manufacture that include or are made from the aerogel compositions are described and uses thereof. The aerogels include a branched polyimide matrix with little to no crosslinked polymers.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing device for manufacturing a large amount of micro-scaffolds for a long period of time such that stable and uniform particles can be fabricated. The manufacturing device comprises: a first solution storage portion for storing a polymer support structure solution; a second solution storage portion for storing an emulsifier solution; a gas storage portion connected to each of the first solution storage portion and the second solution storage portion; a pressure control portion for controlling the pressure of the transporting gas flowing into the first solution storage portion and the second solution storage portion from the pressurization portion, respectively; a scaffold injector portion for receiving the polymer support structure solution and the emulsifier solution provided by the transporting gas, respectively; and a scaffold generating portion for receiving the scaffold dispersion discharged through the scaffold injection portion.

Organic polymer aerogels, articles of manufacture, and uses thereof are described. The aerogels include an organic polymer matrix and microstructures dispersed within the aerogels, which provides for superior thermal conductivity and mechanical properties.

The present application relates to copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels as well as methods for the preparation thereof. The methods comprise hydrolyzing a silica precursor in an organic solvent to obtain a partially polymerized silica wet gel, reacting the partially polymerized silica wet gel with a copolymer of Formula (II) to obtain a copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel, reacting the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel with a surface passivation agent and removing solvent from the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel to obtain the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogel. The mechanical properties of the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels can be further improved by blending cellulose nanofibrils into the hybrid aerogels. (II)

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Formation of low-crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles via cooling-controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SC—CO.sub.2) impregnation of phytosterols into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water dissolution and bioaccessibility of the phytosterols, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

A molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has a density in the range from 60 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity in the range from 12 to 17.8 mW/m*K. The molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has more than 30 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 150 nm, and more than 20 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 27 nm, based on the total pore volume. A process can be used to prepare the molding by compression.

The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming polyimide gels. The methods generally include forming a polyamic acid and dehydrating the polyamic acid with a dehydrating agent in the presence of water. The resulting polyimide gels may be converted to polyimide or carbon xerogels or aerogels. The methods are advantageous in providing rapid or even instantaneous gelation, which may be particularly useful in formation of beads comprising the polyimide gels. Polyimide or carbon gel materials prepared according to the disclosed method are suitable for use in environments containing electrochemical reactions, for example as an electrode material within a lithium-ion battery.

A liquid composition set is provided. The liquid composition set comprises: a liquid composition X comprising a polymerizable compound X and a solvent X; and a liquid composition Y comprising a solvent Y. The liquid composition X is to form a porous resin, and has a smaller surface tension than the liquid composition Y.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polyurethane foam, in particular an aerogel, from at least one polyisocyanate and at least one optionally recycled polyol, and to the use thereof.