Provided is a hydrophobic silica aerogel precursor, and a hydrophobic silica aerogel produced using the same. In the methods, a linear silane crosslinking agent containing a PEG-derived unit is introduced when preparing a hydrophobic aerogel precursor, resulting in the production of a hydrophobic silica aerogel having improved high-temperature thermal stability and improved physical properties.

An insulation material includes a matrix comprising a reaction product formed from a silicon carbide precursor resin and a silicon dioxide precursor resin. At least one filler, such as hollow glass microspheres and/or carbon fiber is dispersed within the matrix. A rocket motor includes a case, the insulation material within and bonded to the case, and a solid propellant within the case. An insulation precursor includes a silicon carbide precursor resin, a silicon dioxide precursor resin, and the at least one filler. Related methods are also disclosed.

An insulation material includes a matrix comprising a reaction product formed from a silicon carbide precursor resin and a silicon dioxide precursor resin. At least one filler, such as hollow glass microspheres and/or carbon fiber is dispersed within the matrix. A rocket motor includes a case, the insulation material within and bonded to the case, and a solid propellant within the case. An insulation precursor includes a silicon carbide precursor resin, a silicon dioxide precursor resin, and the at least one filler. Related methods are also disclosed.

A material or biomaterial comprising silicic acid condensates having a low degree of cross-linking, and methods for its production are subject-matter of the invention. A method for the production of silicic acid structures having a low degree of cross-linking is disclosed, wherein a sol is produced, wherein further condensation is prevented when specific cross-linking of the silicic acid is reached, wherein, preferably, structures having a size of 0.5-1000 nm are produced, e.g. polyhedral structures or aggregates of the same. Further condensation can be prevented by means of mixing with a polymer. In one embodiment, this comprises nano-structured, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) having a low degree of cross-linking that is embedded in a polymer matrix. The material can be used in medicine for therapeutic purposes, and can enter into direct contact with biological tissue of the body in this connection. This material herein enters into chemical, physical, and biological interactions with the corresponding biological systems. It can herein be decomposed, and can act as a supplier for the silicic acid required for metabolism. Furthermore, it can have a supportive or shielding effect. It can be present as a granulate, microparticles, fiber, and as a woven or nonwoven fabric produced therefrom, or as a layer on implants or wound dressings. The material can be used as a medical device or as a nutritional supplement.

A material or biomaterial comprising silicic acid condensates having a low degree of cross-linking, and methods for its production are subject-matter of the invention. A method for the production of silicic acid structures having a low degree of cross-linking is disclosed, wherein a sol is produced, wherein further condensation is prevented when specific cross-linking of the silicic acid is reached, wherein, preferably, structures having a size of 0.5-1000 nm are produced, e.g. polyhedral structures or aggregates of the same. Further condensation can be prevented by means of mixing with a polymer. In one embodiment, this comprises nano-structured, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) having a low degree of cross-linking that is embedded in a polymer matrix. The material can be used in medicine for therapeutic purposes, and can enter into direct contact with biological tissue of the body in this connection. This material herein enters into chemical, physical, and biological interactions with the corresponding biological systems. It can herein be decomposed, and can act as a supplier for the silicic acid required for metabolism. Furthermore, it can have a supportive or shielding effect. It can be present as a granulate, microparticles, fiber, and as a woven or nonwoven fabric produced therefrom, or as a layer on implants or wound dressings. The material can be used as a medical device or as a nutritional supplement.

Macromolecular imprinted silica particles (MIP) in the presence of polymer grafted carbon black are disclosed. The disclosed molecular imprinted beads can detect disease in body fluids. For the silica gel matrix, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the backbone monomer and 3-aminopropy/triethoxysilane (APS) as a functional monomer. Carbon black was added to the sol-gel process, yielding black silica particles. Furthermore, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as a structure-directing agent to increase network diffusion of the template. A total of 16 MIPs were synthetized in parallel with variables that evaluate the role of key reactants in the synthesis procedure. Agglomeration tests were performed with all 16 MIPs in the presence of their template, alongside their respective controls using only phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Each of the MIPs was evaluated using a novel device capable of simultaneously measuring up to four samples for near infrared transmission.

A quantum dot including a semiconductor crystal particle having a particle diameter of 20 nm or less, and a ligand having two or more functional groups for interaction with the semiconductor crystal particle coordinates to two or more sites on a surface of the semiconductor crystal particle. A quantum dot with enhanced stability through surface modification on the semiconductor crystal particle by using a ligand which has two or more functional groups for interaction with the semiconductor crystal particle, and which coordinates to two or more sites on the semiconductor particle surface.

A quantum dot including a semiconductor crystal particle having a particle diameter of 20 nm or less, and a ligand having two or more functional groups for interaction with the semiconductor crystal particle coordinates to two or more sites on a surface of the semiconductor crystal particle. A quantum dot with enhanced stability through surface modification on the semiconductor crystal particle by using a ligand which has two or more functional groups for interaction with the semiconductor crystal particle, and which coordinates to two or more sites on the semiconductor particle surface.

A light-absorbing composition according to the present invention contains a light absorber formed by a particular phosphonic acid and copper ion and an alkoxysilane monomer for dispersing the light absorber, and does not contain a phosphoric acid ester having a polyoxyalkyl group. The light-absorbing composition contains the alkoxysilane monomer in such a manner that a normalized transmittance spectrum has a wavelength band in which the spectral transmittance is 70% or more in a wavelength range from 300 nm to 700 nm and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the wavelength in the wavelength band is 100 nm or more.

A light-absorbing composition according to the present invention contains a light absorber formed by a particular phosphonic acid and copper ion and an alkoxysilane monomer for dispersing the light absorber, and does not contain a phosphoric acid ester having a polyoxyalkyl group. The light-absorbing composition contains the alkoxysilane monomer in such a manner that a normalized transmittance spectrum has a wavelength band in which the spectral transmittance is 70% or more in a wavelength range from 300 nm to 700 nm and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the wavelength in the wavelength band is 100 nm or more.