DESCRIPTION

An inexpensive, energy-efficient process for creating nanocomposite materials with a wide variety of compositions. The new composites are based on aerogels, which are lightweight, solid insulators, fabricated by supercritical drying of sol-gels. Aerogels are typically composed of 5% solid (2-4 nanometers in size) and 95% fine pores, and have very low density (0.1 g/cc) with an "internal" surface area of about 900 square meters/g.
In this new process, a second or third phase of material, with a characteristic size of 10 nanometers or less, is introduced  into the aerogel structure. The small size of these nanoparticles can induce profound changes in the optical, magnetic, and chemical properties from those exhibited by the bulk material. The process is conveniently controlled. Various combinations of different aerogel materials and nanoparticles offer a wide variety of new nanocomposite materials.

STATUS: Patent Pending

CONTACT

Technology Transfer Department
E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
MS 90-1070
Berkeley, CA 94720
Tel.: (510) 486-6467 
Fax : (510) 486-6457
Email :TTD@lbl.gov  
Reference Number: IB-929

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