Introduction
Innovators at Michigan State University (MSU) have developed a novel porous silica-based aerogel material and the process for its fabrication. In contrast to the supercritically dried aerogel, a related material, the MSU approach uses gel and liquid extraction. Evaporation of the precursor solvent is performed at room temperature and pressure, producing the novel ambiently dried aerogel insulation. This ambient drying of the precursor solvent eliminates the need for expensive and complex super-critical drying and/or solvent exchange processes, making the material more accessible for commercial applications. The aerogel maintains its shape during drying without relying on "spring back" or surface treatments to maintain the original shape. The resulting solid material has numerous beneficial properties, most notably its effectiveness as a thermal insulator.
Description of Technology
The aerogel produced by this relatively simple process has excellent high temperature stability, and, with the proper additives, the final product has good thermal conductivity and excellent machinability. The near-zero shrinkage and absence of spring-back effect during the drying phase makes this material ideal for casting in place around rigid parts with complex geometries. Potential applications for this aerogel material and microporous insulation are numerous over diverse industries, particularly those requiring good insulating properties in a limited space.
Key Benefits
The MSU ambiently dried aerogel offers a variety of benefits when compared to other types of insulation, including existing aerogels.
Applications
This material has the potential to be used in a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and construction. A few example applications include:
Patent Status
US Patent 9,808,964
Inventors
Jeff Sakamoto, Ryan Maloney, Travis Thompson
Tech ID
TEC2011-0048