Compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture relating to a transparent/translucent insulating material formed by a hybrid silica gel composition made of porous silica particles joined with each other by silane crosslinking through a three dimensional silica network. In one embodiment, the hybrid silica gel includes small porous silica particles, and is made by a process that avoids energy intensive techniques.

This specification generally relates to aqueous compositions for preparing UV stable fire-resistant interlayers. It also relates to UV stable fire-resistant glazing laminates comprising such interlayers, the use of such glazing laminates in construction, and constructions comprising such glazings. An example aqueous composition comprises a mixed alkali metal silicate of general formula SiO.sub.2.M.sub.2O, where M is K or Na, and other organic and inorganic additives. Glazings with interlayers made with such aqueous compositions are simple to prepare and demonstrate good UV stability and fire-protection properties.

Fire resistant glazing units, processes for the manufacture of such fire resistant glazing units, the use of fire resistant glazing units in construction, and constructions comprising such glazing units. A fire resistant glazing unit may include two panes of glass which are arranged together with a seal to enclose a fire-resistant interlayer. The seal is adapted to breach in the event of a fire causing increased pressure between the panes, releasing pressure before it can build up and cause a pane to break in an unfavourable manner.

Provided is a fireproof glue solution matrix and a preparation method thereof and a fireproof glue solution and a preparation method thereof. The fireproof glue solution matrix comprises silicon dioxide and also comprises a lubricating substance, wherein the lubricating substance is a copolymer of aromatic olefin and/or acrylic ester. The fireproof glue solution comprises the fireproof glue solution matrix. The fireproof glue solution prepared by the present invention has a viscosity of only 50-1000 cp, and is suitable for preparing laminated fireproof glass with a fireproof layer of thickness of less than 1 mm. In addition, the fireproof layer made of the fireproof glue solution has advantages of good fireproof and heat-insulating properties, high in hardness, high transmittance and good ultraviolet resistance performance.

A single and multi-layer flat glass-sensor structure and method of making the flat glass-sensor structure. The flat glass sensor structure comprises at least one flat glass layer, a sensor and a heater. The flat glass layer has a plurality of cutouts that are configured to suspend the sensor on top of or in plane with the flat glass layer. The sensor is an electrochemical wafer with at least one sensory element and flat glass connectors. Each flat glass connector is in minimal contact with at least one sensory sub-area. The heater is a resistive heating element that is on top of or in plane with the flat glass layer configured to heat the sensor. The flat glass connectors are configured to provide support for electrical leads to the heater and membrane. The flat glass connectors are also configured to provide temperature insulation of the suspended sensor.

Fire resistant glazing units, processes for the manufacture of such fire resistant glazing units, the use of fire resistant glazing units in construction, and constructions comprising such glazing units. A fire resistant glazing unit may include two panes of glass which are arranged together with a seal to enclose a fire-resistant interlayer. The seal is adapted to breach in the event of a fire causing increased pressure between the panes, releasing pressure before it can build up and cause a pane to break in an unfavourable manner.

A self-supporting aerogel structure is provided. The structure comprises a plurality of aerogel particles adhered together with an adhesive to produce a material exhibiting low heat transfer and high transmission of visible light. The aerogel particles can be coated with a polymer or pre-polymer and remain free flowing until they are activated to complete polymerization.

The invention relates to a fire and blast resistant window assembly, comprising a frame adapted to be built into a window aperture, a glazing system and a front insulating glass unit. The assembly is characterized in that the front insulating glass unit is mounted on the frame such that a thermal break is formed therebetween, the frame contains a metal framework, which delimits a mounting aperture for the glazing system, wherein separator plates are welded to the framework, along the perimeter thereof, with spaces between the separator plates, and the glazing system comprises a first and a second glazing unit. Each of the glazing units comprises a support profile and a glazing sheet, which is inserted in the support profile and clamped thereto from the inside by glazing beads, wherein a thermal break is formed therebetween.

Fire resistant glazing units, processes for the manufacture of such fire resistant glazing units, the use of fire resistant glazing units in construction, and constructions comprising such glazing units. A fire resistant glazing unit may include two panes of glass which are arranged together with a seal to enclose a fire-resistant interlayer. The seal is adapted to breach in the event of a fire causing increased pressure between the panes, releasing pressure before it can build up and cause a pane to break in an unfavourable manner.

A transparent safety panel for producing resistant, surface flush butt joint glazing, including two plates and a receiving profile. The two plates are spaced apart from each other and are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The safety panel has an abutting end side and a mounting end side extending at a right angle from the abutting end side. The mounting end side can be mounted in the frame and permit fixing of the safety panel in the frame. The receiving profile is arranged between the spaced apart plates in a border region in the vicinity of the abutting end side. The receiving profile forms an open groove towards the abutting end side. A further safety panel can be connected to the safety panel in a surface flush manner without an additional frame via the abutting end side of the safety panel with the groove.