A method for producing a form-stable phase-change material includes freezing a slurry of solid and solvent to provide a frozen slurry, exposing the frozen slurry to conditions causing sublimation of the frozen solvent to remove solvent and provide a body having vacancies therein, sintering the body to provide a scaffold, and adding a molten phase-change material to the scaffold to provide the form-stable phase-change material. The same scaffold when ground acts as a phase-change nucleating aid.

A composite member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance, and an organic infrared absorbing material present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The composite member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A heat generation device includes the composite member, and an infrared light source for irradiating the composite member with infrared rays. A building member and a light emitting device each include the composite member, or the heat generation device.

A composite member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance, and an organic infrared absorbing material present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The composite member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A heat generation device includes the composite member, and an infrared light source for irradiating the composite member with infrared rays. A building member and a light emitting device each include the composite member, or the heat generation device.

A composite member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance, and an organic dye present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The composite member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A construction member and a decoration member each include the composite member.

A composite member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance, and an organic dye present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The composite member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A construction member and a decoration member each include the composite member.

A water-repellent member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance including at least one of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, and a water-repellent resin present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The water-repellent member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A building member and a wet room member each include the water-repellent member.

A water-repellent member includes a matrix part including an inorganic substance including at least one of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, and a water-repellent resin present in a dispersed state inside the matrix part. The water-repellent member has a porosity of 20% or less in a section of the matrix part. A building member and a wet room member each include the water-repellent member.

A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.

A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.

Provided herein are methods for making a freeze-cast material having a internal structure, the methods comprising steps of: determining the internal structure of the material, the internal structure having a plurality of pores, wherein: each of the plurality of pores has directionality; and the step of determining comprises: selecting a temperature gradient and a freezing front velocity to obtain the determined internal structure based on the selected temperature gradient and the selected freezing front velocity; directionally freezing a liquid formulation to form a frozen solid, the step of directionally freezing comprising: controlling the temperature gradient and the freezing front velocity to match the selected temperature gradient and the selected freezing front velocity during directionally freezing; wherein the liquid formulation comprises at least one solvent and at least one dispersed species; and subliming the at least one solvent out of the frozen solid to form the material.