The present invention provides new impact protection materials and the method of making the same. More specifically, the impact protection materials are polymer-based shear-thickening composite comprising a non-shear-thickening polymer matrix material and one or more shear-thickening materials. Preferably, the non-shear-thickening polymer matrix material is in an amount from approximately 5 weight percent to approximately 90 weight percent with the balance being one or more shear-thickening materials. The first type of the one or more shear-thickening materials is sol-gel based shear-thickening material in which small inorganic particles are connected in a gel network; the second type is polymer-based shear-thickening material in which polymer chains form network. Compared to the existing shear-thickening materials, the present shear-thickening materials have different molecular structure and formulation and possess properties of good impact protection and good stability.

The present invention provides new impact protection materials and the method of making the same. More specifically, the impact protection materials are polymer-based shear-thickening composite comprising a non-shear-thickening polymer matrix material and one or more shear-thickening materials. Preferably, the non-shear-thickening polymer matrix material is in an amount from approximately 5 weight percent to approximately 90 weight percent with the balance being one or more shear-thickening materials. The first type of the one or more shear-thickening materials is sol-gel based shear-thickening material in which small inorganic particles are connected in a gel network; the second type is polymer-based shear-thickening material in which polymer chains form network. Compared to the existing shear-thickening materials, the present shear-thickening materials have different molecular structure and formulation and possess properties of good impact protection and good stability.

A curable composition containing an alkoxysilylalkylaminopropyl-modified polysiloxane compound of the following general formula (1) and a hydrolyzable group-containing organosilicon compound:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1s each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represent an unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which may contain a sulfur atom, a silicon atom, an ester bond or a urea bond, p is an integer of 1 to 1000, q is 0 or 1, r is 0, 1 or 2, and X represents a group of the following general formula (2) or R.sup.1.sub.3Si:

##STR00002##

wherein R.sup.2 to R.sup.4, q and r represent the same meaning as described above.

A therapeutic or exercise putty includes a boronated silicone elastomer serving as the base ingredient and copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper oxide, zinc oxide or zinc pyrithione as a secondary ingredient mixed with the base putty or in combination with an antistatic ingredient. The inclusion of any one of the aforementioned secondary ingredients or the antistatic ingredient will reduce the risk of transmission of or infection from viruses, bacteria and microbial pathogens in or on the surface of the putty when the putty is used for hand rehabilitation or exercise by patients.

A therapeutic or exercise putty includes a boronated silicone elastomer serving as the base ingredient and copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper oxide, zinc oxide or zinc pyrithione as a secondary ingredient mixed with the base putty or in combination with an antistatic ingredient. The inclusion of any one of the aforementioned secondary ingredients or the antistatic ingredient will reduce the risk of transmission of or infection from viruses, bacteria and microbial pathogens in or on the surface of the putty when the putty is used for hand rehabilitation or exercise by patients.

Disclosed is a modified preceramic polymer having a polymer backbone consisting of silicon or a combination of silicon and carbon; and a pendant modifier bonded to the backbone wherein the modifier includes silicon, boron, aluminum, a transition metal, a refractory metal, or a combination thereof. The modified preceramic polymer can be used to form a ceramic matrix composite.

Disclosed is a modified preceramic polymer having a polymer backbone consisting of silicon or a combination of silicon and carbon; and a pendant modifier bonded to the backbone wherein the modifier includes silicon, boron, aluminum, a transition metal, a refractory metal, or a combination thereof. The modified preceramic polymer can be used to form a ceramic matrix composite.

A method for the production of a sol-gel based matrix resulting in a sol-gel based matrix with high stability and high porosity. The sol-gel based material may be used for the production of a composite or sensor suitable for monitoring analytes.

Disclosed is a modified preceramic polymer having a polymer backbone consisting of silicon or a combination of silicon and carbon; and a pendant modifier bonded to the backbone wherein the modifier includes silicon, boron, aluminum, a transition metal, a refractory metal, or a combination thereof. The modified preceramic polymer can be used to form a ceramic matrix composite.

Disclosed is a modified preceramic polymer having a polymer backbone consisting of silicon or a combination of silicon and carbon; and a pendant modifier bonded to the backbone wherein the modifier includes silicon, boron, aluminum, a transition metal, a refractory metal, or a combination thereof. The modified preceramic polymer can be used to form a ceramic matrix composite.