Dow Corning Corporation

Timothy Rex Bunce

Bhukandas Parbhoo

Pierre Chevalier

Roland L Halm

Stephen Westall

Avril Surgenor

Claire Hartmann-Thompson

Richard G Johnson

Ajay K Dhaul

Kenneth E Evans

Patrick Barry Hook

Jonathan Paul Hannington

Ronald E Lund

The invention provides composite components, structures and method for producing composite components. A composite component has a negative effect Poisson's ratio and comprises a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component extend longitudinally relative to an axis, the first component being provided around the second component through one or more turns which are spaced longitudinally relative to the axis. A variation in the tensile load on the first component causes the radial position of the second component relative to the axis to vary.

Composite materials and structures

A method of forming a powder and/or discrete gel particles of a compound selected from the group of a metallic oxide, a metalloid oxide, a mixed oxide, an organometallic oxide, an organometalloid oxide, an organomixed oxide resin, and/or an organic resin from one or more respective organometallic precursor(s), organometalloid precursor(s) and/or organic precursors and mixtures thereof, comprising the steps of passing a gas into a means for forming excited and/or unstable gas species (), typically an atmospheric plasma generating means; treating said gas such that upon leaving said means the gas comprises excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electrical charges at a temperature of between 10&#xb0; C. and 500&#xb0; C. A gaseous and/or liquid precursor is then introduced () into said excited and unstable gas species in a downstream region external () to the means for forming excited and/or unstable gas. The interaction between the precursor and the excited and unstable gas species results in the formation of a powder and/or discrete gelled particles which are subsequently collected. The particles prepared by the method may be subsequently functionalised.

Manufacture of resins

This invention relates to a method of functionalizing a powdered substrate. The method comprises the following steps, which method comprises passing a gas into a means for forming excited and/or unstable gas species, typically an atmospheric pressure plasma or the like and treating the gas such that, upon leaving said means, the gas comprises excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge. The gas comprising the excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge is then used to treat a powdered substrate and a functionalizing precursor in a downstream region external to the means for forming excited and/or unstable gas, wherein neither the powdered substrate nor the functionalizing precursor have been subjected to steps (i) and (ii) and wherein said functionalizing precursor is introduced simultaneously with or subsequent to introduction of the powdered substrate. Preferably the method takes place in a fluidized bed.

Functionalisation of particles

A silane or siloxane containing at least one organic group is prepared by a hydrosilylation reaction between a silane or siloxane (A) containing at least one Si&#x2014;H group and an allyl compound (B) in the presence of a noble metal catalyst. The silane or siloxane (A) and the allyl compound (B) are fed continuously through a reaction zone which is maintained at a temperature in the range 115&#x2013;200&#xb0; C. and which is provided with heat exchanger means to dissipate the heat from the exothermic hydrosilylation reaction. The residence time of (A) and (B) in the reaction zone is less than 20 minutes.

Hydrosilylation process

The present invention is an improved process for preparing a portland cement composition where the process comprises heat calcining a mixture comprising a source of calcium and a source of silicon to form clinker. The improvement comprises providing to the process a silicon containing product resulting from the hydrolysis of chlorosilicon by-product as at least a portion of the source of silicon.

Growing community of inventors

Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom

Timothy Rex Bunce