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.

Provided is a soundproof structure that is small and light and can reduce a noise with a high specific frequency of a sound source at a plurality of frequencies at the same time. The soundproof structure has a membrane-like member, a plate-like member that is disposed to face the membrane-like member and in which at least one through-hole is formed, and a support that is formed of a rigid body and supports the plate-like member and the membrane-like member, in which the membrane-like member is supported by the support so as to perform membrane vibration, in which a rear surface space is provided between the membrane-like member and the plate-like member, in which a first space is provided on a side opposite to the rear surface space with the plate-like member sandwiched therebetween, in which the membrane-like member, the support, the plate-like member, and the rear surface space form a first sound absorbing portion that absorbs a sound by membrane vibration, in which the plate-like member, the support, and the first space form a second sound absorbing portion that absorbs a sound by Helmholtz resonance, and in which assuming that a fundamental frequency of membrane vibration of the membrane-like member in a case where the plate-like member is regarded as a rigid body in which the through-hole is not formed in the first sound absorbing portion is f.sub.m1 and a fundamental frequency of Helmholtz resonance of the second sound absorbing portion is f.sub.h1, f.sub.m1<f.sub.h1 is satisfied.

A method of forming an insulated door panel includes folding side flanges of a metallic sheet to define side edges of a structural outer panel that extend from a front panel. A gap is defined between each set of adjacent side edges. Interior blocks are secured to an interior of the structural outer panel proximate each gap to define adhesive cavities. Exterior blocks are positioned at an exterior surface of the structural outer panel at each gap to further define the adhesive cavities. An adhesive is disposed within each adhesive cavity and is contained therein by the interior and exterior blocks. The adhesive is cured to a solid sealing member that adheres the interior blocks to the interior surface of the structural outer panel to form a sealed structural panel. The exterior blocks are removed and each solid sealing member defines a hermetic seal at each gap.

An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.

An insulating structure for an appliance includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein an insulating cavity is defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow nano-spheres are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each of the hollow nano-spheres includes a diameter in the range of from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 1000 nanometers and has a wall that defines the internal space, and wherein the wall of each hollow nano-sphere has a thickness that is in a range of from approximately 0.5 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers. A fill material is disposed in the insulating cavity and wherein the fill material is disposed in the space defined between the plurality of hollow nano-spheres, and wherein the fill material includes at least one of powdered silica, granulated silica, other silica material, aerogel and insulating gas.

A household appliance liner includes a first polymeric capping layer and a polymeric base layer. The first polymeric capping layer includes a first pigment additive. The polymeric base layer is coupled to the first polymeric capping layer. The polymeric base layer includes one or more polymers, a second pigment additive, and a natural fiber. The natural fiber can be present at a concentration of at least 50% by weight of the polymeric base layer. Methods of producing the household appliance liner are also disclosed.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and layers on opposing surfaces thereof. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position.

A vacuum insulation assembly for an appliance includes a plurality of panels that define a cavity. Each of the plurality of panels includes an inner surface. A port opening is defined by one of the plurality of panels and is defined in communication with the cavity. A vacuum insulation material is positioned within the cavity. A stiffening material is coupled to the inner surface of one or more of the plurality of panels. The stiffening material includes a polymer layer configured to adhere to the inner surface when the stiffening material is heated. A mesh layer is positioned over the polymer layer.

A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.

An insulating structure for an appliance includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein an insulating cavity is defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow nano-spheres are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each of the hollow nano-spheres includes a diameter in the range of from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 1000 nanometers and has a wall that defines the internal space, and wherein the wall of each hollow nano-sphere has a thickness that is in a range of from approximately 0.5 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers. A fill material is disposed in the insulating cavity and wherein the fill material is disposed in the space defined between the plurality of hollow nano-spheres, and wherein the fill material includes at least one of powdered silica, granulated silica, other silica material, aerogel and insulating gas.