United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Case Western Reserve University

The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator

Mary Ann Meador

Felix Antonio Miranda

Stuart J Rowan

Haiquan Guo

Baochau N Nguyen

Charles L Bennett

Elvis Cudjoe

Frederick W Van Keuls

Tobias Marriage

Thomas M Essinger-Hileman

The present invention relates to broadband and tunable infrared (IR)-blocking optical filters for millimeter and sub-millimeter astronomy composed of small diffusely scattered particles embedded in an aerogel substrate. The size of the scattering particles included in the aerogel filters can be tuned to give variable cutoff frequencies. In one embodiment, the aerogel scattering optical filters of the present invention have ultra-low density and index of refraction (typically n&#x3c;1.15), removing the need for anti-reflection coatings that limit bandwidth and increase filter complexity, and allowing for high transmission across an ultra-broad band from zero frequency to above 1 THz, and as much as 10 THz.

Optical filter having polyimide aerogel substrate and infrared radiation scattering particles

Composite materials including cellulose nanocrystals incorporated into a polymer aerogel scaffold, wherein the cellulose nanocrystals serve as a reinforcement agent to result in the formation of less dense aerogels, improve the tensile mechanical properties of aerogel films, and reduce aerogel shrinkage upon thermal exposure. After gelation, the gel is dried via a suitable method such as supercritical COextraction, freeze drying or other method, to produce the CNC/polymer composite aerogel. Properties of the composite aerogel can be tailored via surface modification of the cellulose nanocrystals as well as through the backbone structure of the polymer.

Polymer cellulose nanocrystal composite aerogels

Systems and methods for lightweight, customizable antenna with improved performance and mechanical properties are disclosed. In some aspects, aerogels can be used, for example, as a substrate for antenna fabrication. The reduced weight and expense, as well as the increased ability to adapt antenna designs, permits a systems to mitigate a variety of burdens associated with antennas while providing added benefits.

Aerogel-based antennas for aerospace and terrestrial applications

A processable, high temperature polymer derived from 1,4,5,8-tetrahydro-1,4;5,8-diepoxyanthracene and a bis-diene, particularly an anthracene end-capped polyimide oligomer and a method for the preparation thereof. Also provided is a fabricated, electrically conducting, void-free composite comprising said polymer.

Novel ladder polymers for use as high temperature stable resins or

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Strongsville, OH, United States of America

Mary Ann Meador