Hierarchical systems can address the matrix-dominated failures of structural fiber polymer composites. Here, a new synergistic hierarchical structure combines conventional glass fibers with bi-continuous silica-based aerogel matrix; both pure-silica and organically-modified silicate aerogels are demonstrated. When infused an epoxy matrix, this type architecture showed marked improvement in mech...

Introduction: Stardust returned to Earth samples from comet Wild 2. Until now most of the studies have been performed on terminal particles located at the end of the deceleration tracks. However, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence studies showed that a significant fraction of the cometary material is unevenly distributed along the tracks [1-2]. Here we present results of a transmission electron mic...

Cobalt talc doped with iron (Fe/Co~0.1) and dispersed in SiO2 aerogel was prepared from silica alcogel impregnated with metal nitrates by supercritical drying. Catalytic honeycombs were prepared following the same procedure, with the alcogel synthesized directly over cordierite honeycomb pieces. The composite aerogel catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy,...