University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Pacific Sierra Research

Pamela M Norris

Haydn N G Wadley

Hossein Haj-Hariri

Charles E Daitch

Bouvard Hosticka

L Roger Mason, Jr

Jack S Brenizer

Jong Ho Sonn

Frank Zok

Disclosed herein are methods for the preparation of porous metal oxide materials, including metal oxide xerogels and metal oxide aerogels. Methods for preparing porous metal oxide materials can comprise (i) reacting a metal alkoxide with water in the presence of a catalyst system to form a partially hydrolyzed sol, (ii) contacting the partially hydrolyzed sol with a base catalyst and a non-aqueous solvent to form a precursor gel; and (iii) drying the precursor gel to form the porous metal oxide material. The catalyst system employed in step (i) comprises a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid.

Silica materials and methods of making thereof

A system and related method that provides, but is not limited thereto, a thin structure with unique combination of thermal management and stress supporting properties. An advantage associated with the system and method includes, but is not limited thereto, the concept providing a multifunctional design that it is able to spread, store, and dissipate intense thermal fluxes while also being able to carry very high structural loads. An aspect associated with an approach may include, but is not limited thereto, a large area system for isothermalizing a localized heating source that has many applications. For example it can be used to mitigate the thermal buckling of ship deck plates, landing pad structures, or any other structures subjected to localized heating and compressive forces. It can also be used as a thermal regulation system in numerous applications, including but not limited to under-floor heating for residential or commercial buildings or for the de-icing of roads, runways, tunnels, sidewalks, and bridge surfaces.

Multifunctional thermal management system and related method

Atmospheric Samplers are disclosed using aerogel filter material. The samplers include one or more cascaded impact sample stations with discs of aerogel as the targets. Ambient air carrying particulate matter is introduced into the sampler and the particles are captured by the aerogel in its pore structure. In certain embodiments, the aerogel filter is next transported to a position where it is fragmented by a spray of water. The fragmented aerogel and the captured particles are transported in the fragmenting water from the sampler for analysis. In one embodiment, the sampler is segmented with alternate nozzle and filter segments for easy assembly, sampling and disassembly for analysis of the captured particles in aerogel filters positions below the nozzles.

Multi-stage sampler concentrator

Growing community of inventors

Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Pamela M Norris