Reference Number: 04-12
Inventors: Chris Sorensen, Amitabha Chakrabarti, et. al.
Description:
A novel method for producing porous materials with high specific surface area and extremely low density has been discovered. The process involves the gelation of nanoparticles in the aerosol phase to create a material that has been given the name “aerosol gel.” So far, aerosol gels of carbon have been produced. The initial aerosol is composed of nanometer sized carbon particles produced rapidly by exploding in a chamber any one of a number of hydrocarbons with oxygen. The nanometer particles produced, quickly aggregate and then gel to form the aerosol gel. The materials produced have densities as low as 2.5 mg/cc, roughly twice the density of air and lower than any other material. The aerosol gel is significantly different than ordinary soot and carbon black. It is a new material that has not been described before.
Superior thermal and acoustical insulation performance. Industries:
The current state of the art for manufacture of low density, porous materials is the sol-gel/supercritical-drying production of well-known aerogel and xerogel materials. The aerosol gelation method is a significant advancement over this state of the art because:
The potential impact of Aerosol Gels is: the aerosol gelation method could replace the sol-gel/supercritical-drying method for production of ultra-low density, porous materials with high specific surface area, and a wider variety of materials will be available as ultra-low density aerosol gels than currently available as aerogels.
Patent Status
Kansas State University Research Foundation seeks to have discussions with companies that are interested in licensing and/or research collaborations.
Interested parties should contact:
National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and
Commercialization (NISTAC)
2005 Research Park Circle Manhattan, KS 66502
Tel: 785-532-3900 Fax: 785-532-3909
E-Mail: nistac@ksu.edu