AEROGEL COMPOSITIONS AND MANUFACTURING THEREOF
The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.
1 - 29 . (canceled)
30 . An aerogel laminate panel, comprising:
an aerogel layer having two major surfaces; and
a facesheet adjacent to at least one of the two major surfaces, wherein the facesheet comprises graphite.
31 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein the aerogel layer is a fiber-reinforced aerogel composite.
32 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein the facesheet is adjacent to one of the two major surfaces, and wherein the facesheet is a graphite cyanate ester facesheet.
33 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein respective facesheets are adjacent to each of the two major surfaces, and wherein each facesheet is a graphite cyanate ester facesheet.
34 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 33 , further comprising an adhesive between the respective facesheets and each of the two major surfaces.
35 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein the aerogel layer is a polyimide aerogel carbon fiber composite.
36 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein the aerogel layer further includes an opacifier selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, carbon black, graphite phosphates, borates, metal silicates, metallocenes, molybdates, stannates, hydroxides, carbonates, zinc oxides, aluminum oxides, antimony oxides, magnesium-zinc blends, magnesium-zinc-antimony blends, and a combination thereof.
37 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , further comprising a reflective layer adjacent to the facesheet.
38 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 30 , wherein respective facesheets are adjacent to each of the two major surfaces, and the aerogel laminate panel further comprises an edge seal.
39 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 38 , wherein the edge seal further comprises vent that allows gas to flow into and out of the aerogel laminate panel.
40 . The aerogel laminate panel as defined in claim 38 , further comprising a particulate filter positioned over the vent.