Systems and methods for producing aerogel materials are generally described. In certain cases, the methods do not require supercritical drying as part of the manufacturing process. In some cases, certain combinations of materials, solvents, and/or processing steps may be synergistically employed so as to enable manufacture of large (e.g., meter-scale), substantially crack free, and/or mechanically strong aerogel materials.

Functionalized isocyanate based organic aerogel/xerogel/cryogel comprising: a cross-linked porous network structure made of polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate and/or polyurea, comprising on their pore surface before functionalization reactive groups (B) and functionalization molecules having a solubility in water <10 g/L at 20 C. chemically attached to the pore surface of the cross-linked porous network structure wherein said molecules have at least one reactive group (A) being capable of binding to said pore surface (by reaction with groups (B)) and at least one functional group (C) providing the pore surface with the desired functionalization.

The present invention relates to polymers having dynamic urea bonds and more specifically to polymers having hindered urea bonds (HUBs) with fast hydrolytic kinetics. These urea bonds are aryl-substituted, i.e. aromatic-substituted hindered urea bonds, that demonstrate pH independent hydrolytic kinetics, such that they consistently and rapidly hydrolyze in water from pH 2 to 11. The urea bond dissociation for these materials is generally such that k.sub.1>h.sup.1, which is two orders of magnitudes faster than for aliphatic hindered ureas. The present invention also relates to hydrolytically reversible or degradable linear, branched or network polymers incorporating these HUBs and to precursors for incorporation of these HUBs into these polymers. The technology can be applied to and integrated into a variety of polymers, such as polyureas, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyamines, and polysaccharides to make linear, branched, and cross-linked polymers. Polymers incorporating these HUBs can be used in a wide variety of applications including for example, environmentally compatible packaging materials and biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. In other embodiments, the HUBs can be used in self-healing polymers.

Methods and materials to fabricate electrochromic including electrochemical devices are disclosed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the composition, fabrication and incorporation of electrolytic sheets in these devices. Composition, fabrication and incorporation of redox layers and sealants suitable for these devices are also disclosed. Incorporation of EC devices in insulated glass system (IGU) windows is also disclosed.

Polishing media in the form of bristles made from a porous polymer-based material, apparatus and systems including the media, and methods of forming and using the media, apparatus, and systems are disclosed. A method of manufacturing bristles for use in polishing a workpiece which includes a non-planar surface includes the steps of combining a liquid polymer material and a foaming agent to form a foamed polymeric material, and separating the foamed polymeric material into a plurality of bristles. The foaming agent is configured to impart a porosity to the polymeric material, where the porosity is characterized by a density in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 g/cm.sup.3.

The present invention relates to a molding made of reactive foam, wherein at least one fiber (F) is arranged partially inside the molding, i.e. is surrounded by the reactive foam. The two ends of the respective fiber (F) not surrounded by the reactive foam thus each project from one side of the corresponding molding. The reactive foam is produced by a mold foaming process. The present invention further provides a panel comprising at least one such molding and at least one further layer (S1). The present invention further provides processes for producing the moldings according to the invention from reactive foam/the panels according to the invention and also provides for the use thereof as a rotor blade in wind turbines for example.

This invention provides a scrollable and foldable transparent polysiloxane film and its preparation and self-healing method. 2-Hydroxyethyl disulfide, diisocyanate and alkane chloride were mixed and reacted to get disulfide-containing diisocyanate. ,-Aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, diisocyanate and alkane chloride were mixed and reacted get linear chain-extended polydimethylsiloxane. Linear chain-extended polydimethylsiloxane, multi-amino terminated hyperbranched polysiloxane, disulfide-containing diisocyanate and alkane chloride were mixed and poured into a mould. After drying, the scrollable and foldable transparent polysiloxane film was obtained. The polysiloxane film described in this invention are constructed by dynamic physical crosslinking induced by hydrogen bond and permanent chemical crosslinking generated by hyperbranched polysiloxane. Hence, the polysiloxane film achieves both high stiffness and toughness. The good self-healing behavior of the polysiloxane films is originated from the temperature controlled dissociation of hydrogen bonds and exchange reaction rate of disulfide bonds.

Provided is a latent curing agent, including: porous particles formed of a polyurea resin and supporting an aluminum chelate and an aryl silanol compound; and a coating film over the surface of the porous particles, the coating film being formed of a cured product of an alicyclic epoxy resin.

A (super)hydrophobic isocyanate based organic aerogel/xerogel/cryogel having a water contact angle of at least 90 comprising: a cross-linked porous network structure made of polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate and/or polyurea, and hydrophobic compounds having before the gelling step at least one isocyanate-reactive group and no isocyanate groups
Characterized in that said hydrophobic compounds are covalently bonded within the porous network of the aerogel/xerogel/cryogel and wherein said bondings are created during the gelling step of the formation of the isocyanate based organic aerogel/xerogel/cryogel cross-linked porous network structure.

Methods and materials to fabricate electrochromic including electrochemical devices are disclosed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the composition, fabrication and incorporation of electrolytic sheets in these devices. Composition, fabrication and incorporation of redox layers and sealants suitable for these devices are also disclosed. Incorporation of EC devices in insulated glass system (IGU) windows is also disclosed.