Biofoam II

Patent · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:7180282

Morrison, R L

Biofoam is a rigid, microcellular organic foam made from organic materials derived from natural products and biological organisms. Starting materials include agar, agarose, gelatin, algin, alginates, gellan gum, and microcrystalline cellulose. The organic material is dissolved in a polar solvent, typically water, and the mixture is gelled. The water in the gel pores is replaced at least once with another solvent to reduce the pore size of the final biofoam. The solvent in the gel pores may be replaced several times. After the final replacement of solvent, the gel is frozen and freeze-dried to form a biofoam. Translucent biofoams are formed by selecting a final solvent that forms very small crystals. A variety of crystalline, fibrous, amorphous, or metallic additives may be incorporated into the foam structure to produce lightweight composite materials with enhanced strength and insulating properties. 1 fig.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5360828; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 8-215159
• OSTI ID: 7180282
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 21 Mar 1994
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
FABRICATION
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
FOAMS
THERMAL INSULATION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
360606* - Other Materials- Physical Properties- (1992-)
360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture
360603 - Materials- Properties