An object of the present invention is to develop techniques to create novel engineered protein ligands that maximize the binding capacity and binding efficiency to a target molecule of affinity separation matrices on which the protein ligands are immobilized. The present invention provides protein ligands (variants) that can be immobilized on carriers in a manner shown in schematic FIG. 1(4)-(15), as well as antibody affinity separation matrices obtained by immobilizing such a protein ligand on a water-insoluble carrier. The affinity separation matrices are characterized by their excellent binding capacity and binding efficiency to a target molecule.

The present invention relates to the field of water treatment/fluoride removal and to materials/devices useful in such processes. Specifically, the invention provides for hybrid materials comprising amyloid fibrils and ZrO2; and to composite materials further comprising a support material. The invention further provides for the treatment of water using such hybrid or composite materials.

A porous material is prepared mixing at least one bio-based polymer and at least one polyionic biopolymer and water, in an aqueous solution of a polyvalent metal ion to prepare a gel, exposing the gel to a water-miscible solvent to obtain a gel, and drying of the gel. The porous material obtained in the method finds application as thermal insulation material, as carrier material for load and release of actives, for electrode materials in batteries, fuels cells or electrolysis, for catalysis, for capacitors, for consumer electronics, for building and construction applications, for home and commercial appliance applications, for temperature-controlled logistics applications, for vacuum insulation applications, for battery applications, for apparel applications, for food applications, for cosmetic applications, for biomedical applications, for agricultural applications, for consumer applications, for packaging applications or for pharmaceutical application or as carrier materials or adsorbents.

A novel method for forming unique carbon aerogels may be provided. The method may include drying a precursor composition including an organic molecule. The method may include generating a porous aerogel by graphitizing the organic molecule (such as a self-assembling protein, a sugar, etc.). The organic molecule may be a phase transition material, where the heating leads to formation of a viscous melt pool, and further heating of which releases gases such as CO.sub.2, NH.sub.3, H.sub.2S, SO.sub.2, etc. Due to the use of such a phase transition material, generating the porous aerogel may be accomplished without a separate gas generant. The graphitizing may include heating the precursor composition to a first temperature of 300-1200 C. at a first heating rate. The graphitizing may include holding the precursor composition at the first temperature for a holding time no more than 48 hours.