Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Shaoting Lin

Xuanhe Zhao

Lee A Weinstein

Evelyn N Wang

Sungwoo Yang

Thomas Alan Cooper

Bikramjit S Bhatia

Lin Zhao

Elise M Strobach

Gang Paul Chen

Hyunwoo Yuk

Gang Chen

Yoichiro Tsurimaki

Teng Zhang

German A P Hernandez

Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of <5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of <0.5 BTU/sf/hr/° F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of ≤1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance>94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.

Energy efficient soundproofing window retrofits

The present disclosure generally relates to a stretchable anti-fogging tape (SAT) that can be applied to diverse transparent materials with varied curvatures for persistent fogging prevention. The SAT comprises three synergistically-combined transparent layers: i) a stretchable middle layer with high elastic recovery to keep transparent materials tightly bound; ii) an anti-fogging top layer to impart hydrophilicity to transparent materials; and iii) an adhesive bottom layer to form robust yet reversible adhesion between transparent materials and SATs. The SAT can be configured to have water condensate form a predominantly continuous film thereon in response to a high humidity environment At least two applications are demonstrated, including the SAT-adhered eyeglasses and goggles for clear fog-free vision, and the SAT-adhered condensation cover for efficient solar-powered freshwater production.

Transparent, anti-fog tape or film and related devices and methods

Described herein are window retrofits including a monolithic silica aerogel slab having (i) an average haze value of &#x3c;5% as calculated in accordance with ASTM standard D1003-13 and (ii) a U-factor of &#x3c;0.5 BTU/sf/hr/&#xb0; F., and a transparent polymer envelope sealed at an internal pressure of &#x2264;1 atmosphere, wherein the monolithic silica aerogel slab is encapsulated in the transparent polymer envelope. The monolithic aerogel slab can have a transmittance &#x3e;94% at 8 mm thickness. The window retrofit can be bonded to a glass sheet.

A robust hydrogel-solid hybrid formed of a substrate material having a nonporous and non-topographically patterned surface and a tough hydrogel bonded to the surface, the tough hydrogel having over 90 wt % water, and the hydrogel being bonded to provide interfacial toughness over 300 Jm, and even over 1000 Jm. The hydrogel is formed of polyacrylamide or polyethylene glycol diacrylate, which provide long-chain polymer networks, and chitosan, hyaluronan, or alginate, which provide mechanically dissipative components. An anchor, which can be a silane, a sulfide, or an amine, is disposed between the surface and the hydrogel to provide chemical bonding between the surface and the long-chain networks of the hydrogel.

Multifunctional bonding of hydrogels

Method for making a tough and compliant hydrogel. A precursor hydrogel is made of a first polymer selected to maintain high elasticity and a second polymer selected to dissipate mechanical energy. The precursor hydrogel is stretched to a multiple of its original length to form a pre-stretched hydrogel. The pre-stretched hydrogel is allowed to relax and is soaked in a biocompatible solvent to reach equilibrium swelling of the pre-stretched hydrogel whereby shear modulus of the hydrogel is reduced.

Compliant yet tough hydrogel systems as ultrasound transmission agents

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Shaoting Lin