insulators – TechConnect Briefs

Nanohybrid silica/polymer subcritical aerogels

Fidalgo A., Ilharco L.M., Farinha J.P.S., Martinho J.M.G., Centro de Química-Física Molecular, Instituto Superior Técnico, PT

Novel nanohybrid silica/polymer aerogels were produced by the soft sol-gel process, under subcritical conditions. They are hydrophobic, monolithic, and with improved mechanical properties. These materials may well be the answer to low cost-high performance insulators. [...]

Characterisation of Native-State Soft Matter using ‘Multi-Mode’ Electron Microscopy

Stokes D.J., Baken E., Lich B.H., Hubert D.H.W., FEI Company, NL

Soft condensed matter and complex fluids are of increasing technological significance. It is therefore crucial that we extend the capabilities of conventional solid state imaging and analytical techniques to include the observation of materials such [...]