An organic polymer aerogel that includes an organic polymer gel matrix and microstructures dispersed or embedded within the aerogel is disclosed. The aerogel can have an at least bimodal pore size distribution comprising a first peak of less than or equal to 65 nm and a second peak greater than or equal to 100 nm.

The invention relates to a filter (1) for cleaning fluids, having a main part (2) consisting of polyethylene particles (3) that have been bonded to each other by means of a generative manufacturing process such as to obtain a predefined macro- and microstructure, the main part (2) having regions in which the porosity is deliberately adjusted to varying values. The invention also relates to a method for producing a filter (1), the filter being generatively manufactured by selective laser sintering of polyethylene particles (3). The invention finally relates to a method for ensuring fluid flow.

The present invention discloses novel porous polymeric compositions comprising random copolymers of amides, imides, ureas, and carbamic-anhydrides, useful for the synthesis of monolithic bimodal microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels. It also discloses methods for producing said microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels by the reaction of a polyisocyanate compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound, followed by pyrolytic carbonization, and by reactive etching with CO.sub.2 at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for using the microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels in the selective capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.

A method for producing a foam component includes providing a particulate starting material in a mold, softening the starting material, inducing a pressure change within the mold to cause foaming in at least a portion of the softened starting material without the use of a blowing agent, and solidifying the foamed starting material.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

A moisture barrier layer-foamed polymeric composite sheet underlayment article comprising a foamed polymeric sheet and a moisture barrier layer adhered thereto is disclosed. In one aspect, cork particles are present in the composite.

Fiber-reinforced organic polymer aerogels, articles of manufacture and uses thereof are described. The reinforced aerogels include a fiber-reinforced organic polymer matrix having an at least 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 thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 30 mW/m.Math.K at a temperature of 20° C.

The invention relates to an acoustic phase mask, the phase mask having a variation in the acoustic index n, characterized in that the phase mask comprises a body comprising: at least one matrix formed from a deformable solid material, having a shear modulus of less than 10 MPa, and pores formed in the matrix, the pores being mostly filled with gas, the deformable solid material extending between the pores, the body having a porosity φ less than or equal to 50%, and a controlled porosity φ gradient resulting in a variation of the acoustic index n spatially in the body.

An ester-based elastomer expanded molded article comprising a fusion of expanded particles that contain an ester-based elastomer as a base resin.

Microparticles that have a multimodal pore size distribution are provided, Notably, the pore structure of the present invention can be formed without the need for complex techniques and solvent chemistries traditionally employed to form porous microparticles. Instead, the microparticles contain a polymeric material that is formed from a thermoplastic composition, which is simply strained to a certain degree to achieve the desired porous network structure.