Biofoam II
- Modesto, CA
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.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5360828
- OSTI ID:
- 869588
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ii
rigid
microcellular
organic
foam
materials
derived
natural
products
biological
organisms
starting
agar
agarose
gelatin
algin
alginates
gellan
gum
microcrystalline
cellulose
material
dissolved
polar
solvent
typically
water
mixture
gelled
pores
replaced
reduce
pore
size
final
times
replacement
frozen
freeze-dried
form
translucent
biofoams
formed
selecting
forms
crystals
variety
crystalline
fibrous
amorphous
metallic
additives
incorporated
structure
produce
lightweight
composite
enhanced
strength
insulating
properties
materials derived
crystalline cellulose
polar solvent
starting material
composite materials
organic materials
pore size
composite material
starting materials
organic material
organic foam
typically water
insulating properties
microcrystalline cellulose
microcellular organic
composite mat
natural products
enhanced strength
foam structure
gellan gum
omposite materials
produce light
biological organisms
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