Potential apphcations

A detailed discussion of the properties of aerogels can be found ia several recent review articles (51—55) and the references thereia. This section provides a physical basis for these properties by focusiag on the microstmcture of an aerogel. The latent is to provide a bridge between the two previous sections, which discuss the preparative and dryiag parameters that affect microstmcture, and the next one, which oudines the potential appHcations made possible by unique stmctural features. The emphasis is on siUca aerogels because they have been the most extensively characteri2ed. 

One of the foremost potential appHcations of LB films is in the generation of second harmonic radiation at optical frequencies. 

Thermally stable POD films containing pyridine rings have potential appHcation as reverse osmosis membranes (58). 

Polyquinoxalines (PQ) have proven to be one of the better heat-resistant polymers with regard to both stabiUty and potential appHcation. The aromatic backbones are derived from the condensation of a tetramine with a bis-glyoxal, reactions first done in 1964 (61,62). In 1967, a soluble, phenylated version of this polymer was produced (63). The chemistry and technology of polyquinoxalines has been reviewed (64). 

Applications. Polymers with small alkyl substituents, particularly (13), are ideal candidates for elastomer formulation because of quite low temperature flexibiUty, hydrolytic and chemical stabiUty, and high temperature stabiUty. The abiUty to readily incorporate other substituents (ia addition to methyl), particularly vinyl groups, should provide for conventional cure sites. In light of the biocompatibiUty of polysdoxanes and P—O- and P—N-substituted polyphosphazenes, poly(alkyl/arylphosphazenes) are also likely to be biocompatible polymers. Therefore, biomedical appHcations can also be envisaged for (3). A third potential appHcation is ia the area of soHd-state batteries. The first steps toward ionic conductivity have been observed with polymers (13) and (15) using lithium and silver salts (78). 

To prevent radioactive iodides from lodging in the thyroid gland during exposure to excessive radiation, a potential appHcation of iodine acting as a thyroid-blocker has arisen. Eor this purpose potassium iodide was recommended (66). 

Applications. These materials are stiU in developmental infancy. Current production is limited to one commercial process in Europe and a demonstration-scale process in North America. The lignins produced in these processes have potential appHcation in wood adhesives, as flame retardants (qv), as slow-release agents for agricultural and pharmaceutical products, as surfactants (qv), as antioxidants (qv), as asphalt extenders, and as a raw material source for lignin-derived chemicals. 

Other developing or potential appHcations for lime are neutralization of tail gas from sulfuric acid plants, neutralization of waste hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids and of nitrogen oxide (NO ) gases, scmbbing of stack gases from incinerators (qv), and of course, from small industrial coal-fired boilers. 

Metal injection mol ding (MIM) holds great promise for producing complex shapes in large quantities. Spray forming, a single-step gas atomization and deposition process, produces near-net shape products. In this process droplets of molten metal are coUected and soHdifted onto a substrate. Potential appHcations include tool steel end mills, superalloy tubes, and aerospace turbine disks (6,7). 

Duplex stainless steels (ca 4% nickel, 23% chrome) have been identified as having potential appHcation to nitric acid service (75). Because they have a lower nickel and higher chromium content than typical austenitic steels, they provide the ductabdity of austenitic SS and the stress—corrosion cracking resistance of ferritic SS. The higher strength and corrosion resistance of duplex steel offer potential cost advantages as a material of constmction for absorption columns (see CORROSION AND CORROSION CONTROL). 

In the 1990s, carbon microbeads have been produced by a proprietary process using phenoHc resin. Potential appHcations are lubricants, adhesives, and conductive fillers for plastics, mbbers, and coatings (97). 

Another important potential appHcation for fuel cells is in transportation (qv). Buses and cars powered by fuel cells or fuel cell—battery hybrids are being developed in North America and in Europe to meet 2ero-emission legislation introduced in California. The most promising type of fuel cell for this appHcation is the SPEC, which uses platinum-on-carbon electrodes attached to a soHd polymeric electrolyte. 

Specific apphcations for polyesterether elastomers are too numerous to mention in detail, but a Hst of appHcations with references where appropriate is as follows. This is by no means a complete Hst, but is merely representative of the vast range of potential apphcations. 

The greatest potential appHcation for single-electron devices Hes in digital circuits. However, a number of other appHcations exist, including current standards and ultrasensitive electrometers (70,71). SETs are not unique to compound semiconductors, and in fact a great deal of work has been carried out in other material systems, including Al—AlO —A1 tunnel junctions. A review of single-electron phenomena is available (72). 

Optical Fibers. Pure and doped fused siHca fibers have replaced copper lines in the telecommunication area. Eused siHca fibers are used in laser surgery, optical sensor appHcation, and laser welding (see Sensors). Optical-fiber-tethered weapons such as fiber-optics-guided (EOG) missiles are another potential appHcation for fused siHca (249,250) (see Eiberoptics). 

Etherification and esterification of hydroxyl groups produce derivatives, some of which are produced commercially. Derivatives may also be obtained by graft polymerization wherein free radicals, initiated on the starch backbone by ceric ion or irradiation, react with monomers such as vinyl or acrylyl derivatives. A number of such copolymers have been prepared and evaluated in extmsion processing (49). A starch—acrylonitrile graft copolymer has been patented (50) which rapidly absorbs many hundred times its weight in water and has potential appHcations in disposable diapers and medical suppHes. 

Other. Alkali chiorochromate compounds, including cesium chiorochromate, CsCrCl, are ferromagnetic substances being studied for potential apphcation in optically-read computer memory devices. Cesium has also been used in vapor glow lamps (44), vapor rectifiers, and high energy lasers (qv)... 

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