Ann Marie Anderson

US Patent:

8080591, Dec 20, 2011

Filed:

Jan 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/021505

Inventors:

Ben M. Gauthier - Washington DC, US
Ann M. Anderson - Scotia NY, US
Smitesh Bakrania - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mary K. Mahony - Schenectady NY, US
Ronald B. Bucinell - Niskayuna NY, US

International Classification:

C08J 9/00
B01J 13/00

US Classification:

521 64, 521154, 264621

Abstract:

Method and devices for rapidly fabricating monolithic aerogels, including aerogels containing chemical sensing agents, are disclosed. The method involves providing a gel precursor solution or a pre-formed gel in a sealed vessel with the gel or gel precursor at least partially filling the internal volume of the vessel and the sealed vessel being positioned between opposed plates of a hot press; heating and applying a restraining force to the sealed vessel via the hot press plates (where the restraining force is sufficient to minimize substantial venting of the vessel); and then controllably releasing the applied restraining force under conditions effective to form the aerogel. A preferred device for practicing the method is in the form of a hot press having upper and lower press plates, and a mold positioned between the upper and lower plates. Doped aerogel monoliths and their use as chemical sensors are also described.

US Patent:

20050159497, Jul 21, 2005

Filed:

Aug 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/926901

Inventors:

Ben Gauthier - Washington DC, US
Ann Anderson - Scotia NY, US
Smitesh Bakrania - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mary Mahony - Schenectady NY, US
Ronald Bucinell - Niskayuna NY, US

International Classification:

C08J009/00

US Classification:

521050000

Abstract:

Method and devices for rapidly fabricating monolithic aerogels, including aerogels containing chemical sensing agents, are disclosed. The method involves providing a gel precursor solution or a preformed gel in a sealed vessel with the gel or gel precursor at least partially filling the internal volume of the vessel and the sealed vessel being positioned between opposed plates of a hot press; heating and applying a restraining force to the sealed vessel via the hot press plates (where the restraining force is sufficient to minimize substantial venting of the vessel); and then controllably releasing the applied restraining force under conditions effective to form the aerogel. A preferred device for practicing the method is in the form of a hot press having upper and lower press plates, and a mold positioned between the upper and lower plates. Doped aerogel monoliths and their use as chemical sensors are also described.