Methods for producing a hollow spheres, optionally with a vacuum inside, are disclosed. An example method includes providing a seed with a core and a coating. The seed is heated to a temperature sufficient to transform the coating into a continuous shell having an interior and an exterior. The shell isolates the core from the exterior of the shell. The temperature is also sufficient to cause a reaction with the materials of the core, and the reaction converts the core to a gas within said shell. Controlling the rate of heating and the pressure surrounding the shell allows the shell to expand responsive to gas pressure within the shell. Cooling the shell causes the gases within the shell to revert to a solid form, thereby creating a vacuum within the shell. Products incorporating the hollow spheres are also disclosed.

Methods for producing a hollow spheres, optionally with a vacuum inside, are disclosed. An example method includes providing a seed with a core and a coating. The seed is heated to a temperature sufficient to transform the coating into a continuous shell having an interior and an exterior. The shell isolates the core from the exterior of the shell. The temperature is also sufficient to cause a reaction with the materials of the core, and the reaction converts the core to a gas within said shell. Controlling the rate of heating and the pressure surrounding the shell allows the shell to expand responsive to gas pressure within the shell. Cooling the shell causes the gases within the shell to revert to a solid form, thereby creating a vacuum within the shell. Products incorporating the hollow spheres are also disclosed.

The invention discloses a bionic laminated thermal insulation material, which imitates a multi-thin laminated and thin-layer micro-pore structure of Sequoia sempervirens bark with fire resistance, corrosion resistance and excellent thermal insulation performance. A low thermal conductivity microporous powder is used as main raw material, while reinforcing agent, plasticizer and porosity agent are added to form microporous thin-layer units, and each thin-layer unit is bonded and laminated to make a laminated thermal insulation material. The thermal conductivity of the finished products is as low as 0.02˜0.05 W/m.Math.k, with good thermal insulation and mechanical properties, which can be used in a temperature range below 1000° C., with better thermal insulation and energy-saving effect and toughness than ordinary thermal insulation materials, significantly reducing the thickness of the insulation layer, and can be widely used in industrial furnaces, thermal engineering devices, insulation pipes and other fields.

The invention discloses a bionic laminated thermal insulation material, which imitates a multi-thin laminated and thin-layer micro-pore structure of Sequoia sempervirens bark with fire resistance, corrosion resistance and excellent thermal insulation performance. A low thermal conductivity microporous powder is used as main raw material, while reinforcing agent, plasticizer and porosity agent are added to form microporous thin-layer units, and each thin-layer unit is bonded and laminated to make a laminated thermal insulation material. The thermal conductivity of the finished products is as low as 0.02˜0.05 W/m.Math.k, with good thermal insulation and mechanical properties, which can be used in a temperature range below 1000° C., with better thermal insulation and energy-saving effect and toughness than ordinary thermal insulation materials, significantly reducing the thickness of the insulation layer, and can be widely used in industrial furnaces, thermal engineering devices, insulation pipes and other fields.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel may further include silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel may further include silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

The invention provides a bright white refractory roofing granule, comprising a ceramic material formed from a substantially homogenous mixture of a ceramic-forming clay, sintering material, and optionally comprising silica particles, and other potential additives, said bright white refractory roofing granule having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.80 and a Hunter Color Lvalue of at least 85.0, together with processes for making and using the same.

The invention provides a bright white refractory roofing granule, comprising a ceramic material formed from a substantially homogenous mixture of a ceramic-forming clay, sintering material, and optionally comprising silica particles, and other potential additives, said bright white refractory roofing granule having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.80 and a Hunter Color Lvalue of at least 85.0, together with processes for making and using the same.