CARDINAL CG COMPANY

The invention provides a method of making an article including steps of (1) providing a solvent on a major surface of a glass sheet, or on a face of an aerogel sheet, or on both, (2) providing a solvent on a major surface of a glass sheet, or on a face of an aerogel sheet, or on both, (3) positioning the face of the aerogel sheet onto the major surface of the glass sheet to create a glass-aerogel article, and (4) drying the glass-aerogel article to evaporate at least some of the solvent and to facilitate adhesion between the glass sheet and aerogel sheet.

The invention provides a method of making an article including steps of providing a solvent on a major surface of a glass sheet and positioning a face of an aerogel sheet onto the major surface of the glass sheet to create a glass-aerogel article, such that the solvent on the major surface of the glass sheet facilitates adhesion of the aerogel sheet to the glass sheet. In some cases, the glass sheet can also have a coated surface comprising a low-emissivity coating.

The invention provides a method of cutting a wet gel sheet. The method includes positioning a wet gel sheet on a cutting support surface, so that a bottom face of the wet gel sheet is supported by the cutting support surface. The wet gel sheet is a porous material comprising solvent in at least some pores. The wet gel sheet is cut by moving a blade along a cutting path. The invention also provides an aerogel sheet formed by a process that includes the cutting method, as well as certain articles that include the cut aerogel sheet.

The invention provides a method of cutting a wet gel sheet. The method includes positioning a wet gel sheet on a cutting support surface, so that a bottom face of the wet gel sheet is supported by the cutting support surface. The wet gel sheet is a porous material comprising solvent in at least some pores. The wet gel sheet is cut by moving a blade along a cutting path. The invention also provides an aerogel sheet formed by a process that includes the cutting method, as well as certain articles that include the cut aerogel sheet.

The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

The invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a mold with a mold base defined by a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film. The invention also provides an aerogel production method that involves filling such a mold with a wet gel precursor solution. In other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes a film and a film handling system. In still other embodiments, the invention provides an aerogel production assembly that includes an advantageous aging clamp mechanism. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide an aerogel production method that involves a wet gel sheet casted to a casting substrate, where the casting substrate includes a film, and the method includes both peeling the film off the wet gel sheet and conveying the wet gel sheet onto a drying substrate.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit having a between-pane space. An aerogel layer is located in the between-pane space. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide a method of manufacturing such a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit. Still further, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly comprising a frame and a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit that includes an aerogel layer and is mounted in the frame. Finally, some embodiments provide a method of handling an aerogel sheet.

The invention provides an optical device comprising a glass assembly unit. The glass assembly unit comprises two glass sheets and a plurality of aerogel sheets. The aerogel sheets are arranged in a tiled configuration between the two glass sheets so as to cover a majority of a unit area of the glass assembly unit. In some embodiments, the tiled configuration is characterized by each of the aerogel sheets being spaced from an adjacent one of the aerogel sheets by a gap distance of no greater than 5 mm. In other embodiments, the tiled configuration is characterized by each of the aerogel sheets being in edge-to-edge contact with at least one adjacent aerogel sheet.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit having a between-pane space. An aerogel layer is located in the between-pane space. Further, some embodiments of the invention provide a method of manufacturing such a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit. Still further, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly comprising a frame and a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit that includes an aerogel layer and is mounted in the frame. Finally, some embodiments provide a method of handling an aerogel sheet.