A polymer composite contains tubular particles, which contain at least one resin with fibres embedded. The tubular particles have an average length in the range of 0.5 mm to 60 mm and an average wall thickness in the range of 0.0005 mm to 30 mm, whereas the fibers have an average diameter in the range of 0.0005 mm to 5.0 mm. A process can be used to prepare the polymer composite containing tubular particles. The polymer composite can be used as a cushioning material, which can be formed into a cushioning article such as a shoe sole, a furniture cushion, a bed mattress, an automotive seat cushion, a flooring substrate, an outdoor/walking surface, a mat, a pad, and the like.

A polymer composite contains tubular particles, which contain at least one resin with fibres embedded. The tubular particles have an average length in the range of 0.5 mm to 60 mm and an average wall thickness in the range of 0.0005 mm to 30 mm, whereas the fibers have an average diameter in the range of 0.0005 mm to 5.0 mm. A process can be used to prepare the polymer composite containing tubular particles. The polymer composite can be used as a cushioning material, which can be formed into a cushioning article such as a shoe sole, a furniture cushion, a bed mattress, an automotive seat cushion, a flooring substrate, an outdoor/walking surface, a mat, a pad, and the like.

Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels, depending on the solvents in the gels.

Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels, depending on the solvents in the gels.

An aerogel hybrid and a method for preparing the aerogel hybrid. The aerogel hybrid includes a resin composition and a plurality of aerogel particles. The resin composition may fill the interstitial space between the plurality of aerogel particles. The aerogel hybrid may be produced by preparing the aerogel and preparing the resin composition, blending the aerogel and the resin composition together to form an aerogel hybrid and curing the aerogel hybrid for providing an aerogel hybrid containing resin mixture with the ability to fit large amounts of aerogel into the resin to enhance the aerogel's physical properties.

An aerogel hybrid and a method for preparing the aerogel hybrid. The aerogel hybrid includes a resin composition and a plurality of aerogel particles. The resin composition may fill the interstitial space between the plurality of aerogel particles. The aerogel hybrid may be produced by preparing the aerogel and preparing the resin composition, blending the aerogel and the resin composition together to form an aerogel hybrid and curing the aerogel hybrid for providing an aerogel hybrid containing resin mixture with the ability to fit large amounts of aerogel into the resin to enhance the aerogel's physical properties.

The present invention provides an air filter comprising a polymer foam and an adsorbent material wherein said polymer foam comprises metal particles.

A foamed, opacifying element useful as a light-blocking article is prepared with a dry opacifying layer on a substrate. The dry opacifying layer is densified, followed by application of a functional composition formulation to form a functional composition upon drying and curing at a coverage of 0.5-15 g/m.sup.2. The functional composition comprises at least: (i) glass particles such as hollow glass particles at a coverage of 0.1-2.2 g/cm.sup.2, and can also include any or combination of a (iv) water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric binder that may be crosslinked, thickeners, coating aids having an HLB of at least 5, (ii) lubricants, (iii) tinting materials, and (v) crosslinking agents. Among other properties, the presence of the glass particles provides additional heat absorption for the foamed, opacifying elements that can be formed into light-blocking materials.

A foamed, opacifying element useful as a light-blocking article is prepared with a dry opacifying layer on a substrate. The dry opacifying layer is densified, followed by application of a functional composition formulation to form a functional composition upon drying and curing at a coverage of 0.5-15 g/m.sup.2. The functional composition comprises at least: (i) glass particles such as hollow glass particles at a coverage of 0.1-2.2 g/cm.sup.2, and can also include any or combination of a (iv) water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric binder that may be crosslinked, thickeners, coating aids having an HLB of at least 5, (ii) lubricants, (iii) tinting materials, and (v) crosslinking agents. Among other properties, the presence of the glass particles provides additional heat absorption for the foamed, opacifying elements that can be formed into light-blocking materials.