The present invention relates to an aerogel composite powder superior in thermal insulation and flexibility, the aerogel composite powder comprising an aerogel component and a silica particle.

Provided is a method that can produce a resin porous material from a water-insoluble polymer in a small number of steps while suppressing the formation of skin layers. The production method of the resin porous material disclosed herein includes preparing a solution of a water-insoluble polymer in a mixed solvent including a good solvent of the water-insoluble polymer and a first poor solvent of the water-insoluble polymer, and vaporizing and removing the mixed solvent from the solution. The first poor solvent has a higher boiling point than the good solvent. In vaporizing and removing the mixed solvent, the mixed solvent is vaporized and removed under the presence of vapor of a second poor solvent of the water-insoluble polymer to form pores and obtain a porous material.

A form birefringent optical element includes a structured layer and a dielectric environment disposed over the structured layer. At least one of the structured layer and the dielectric environment includes a nanovoided polymer, the nanovoided polymer having a first refractive index in an unactuated state and a second refractive index different than the first refractive index in an actuated state. Actuation of the nanovoided polymer can be used to reversibly control the form birefringence of the optical element. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for producing particles with pore structures, by means of a hybrid process of atomization via drying-cooling, from a water-in-oil-type emulsion of a composition of a non-solubilized and in melt state matrix. The production method comprises: i) forming a water-in-oil-type emulsion consisting of a composition of a solvent that is aqueous or soluble in water (dispersed phase) and a composition of a non-solubilized and in melt state matrix (continuous phase); ii) forming discrete particles from the emulsion via atomization, using a flow of gas at high pressure and temperature; iii) immediately removing the solvent via evaporation; and iv) subsequently cooling the formed discrete particles, resulting in porous particles that are substantially free from solvents.

Formation of low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles via controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO.sub.2) impregnation of curcumin into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water solubility and bioaccessibility of the curcumin, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Further provided is a method of improving the hydrophobicity, the liquid water uptake, the heat of combustion, or the onset of thermal decomposition temperature of an aerogel composition.

A method for producing a porous copolymer monolith substrate for use in flow through liquid chromatography applications is disclosed. The method comprises forming a reaction composition comprising at least one monoethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, at least one polyethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, a RAFT agent, at least one liquid porogen, and a radical initiator. The reaction composition is introduced to a mold having a shape and dimensions suitable for forming a liquid chromatography substrate. The monoethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, the polyethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer and the RAFT agent are copolymerised in the mold under conditions to form a solid copolymer network that is phase-separated from the reaction composition and/or any liquid components.

A fiber-reinforced aerogel is disclosed. The aerogel can include a porous organic polymer matrix and fibers included in the porous organic polymer matrix. The aerogel can include a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 60 mWIm.Math.K at a temperature of 20° C., at least a bimodal pore size distribution with a first mode of pores having an average pore size of less than or equal to 50 nanometers (nm) and a second mode of pores having an average pore size of greater than 50 nm, and a planar shape having a thickness of 5 millimeters (mm) or less and is capable of being rolled up into a roll, wherein the fibers form a woven fiber matrix.