Filling a gap in the literature, this is the first book to focus on the fabrication of functional porous materials by using ice templating and freeze drying. Comprehensive in its scope, the volume covers such techniques as the fabrication of porous polymers, porous ceramics, biomimic strong composites, carbon nanostructured materials, nanomedicine, porous nanostructures by freeze drying of colloidal or nanoparticle suspensions, and porous materials by combining ice templating and other techniques. In addition, applications for each type of material are also discussed. Of great benefit to those working in the freeze-drying field and researchers in porous materials, materials chemistry, engineering, and the use of such materials for various applications, both in academia and industry.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the freezing of colloidal suspensions and explores cutting-edge research in the field. It is the first book to deal with this phenomenon from a multidisciplinary perspective, and examines the various occurrences, their technological uses, the fundamental phenomena, and the different modeling approaches. Its chapters integrate input from fields as diverse as materials science, physics, biology, mathematics, geophysics, and food science, and therefore provide an excellent point of departure for anyone interested in the topic. The main content is supplemented by a wealth of figures and illustrations to elucidate the concepts presented, and includes a final chapter providing advice for those starting out in the field. As such, the book provides an invaluable resource for materials scientists, physicists, biologists, and mathematicians, and will also benefit food engineers, civil engineers, and materials processing professionals.

This first book devoted to this hot field of science covers materials with bimodal, trimodal and multimodal pore size, with an emphasis on the successful design, synthesis and characterization of all kinds of hierarchically porous materials using different synthesis strategies. It details formation mechanisms related to different synthesis strategies while also introducing natural phenomena of hierarchy and perspectives of hierarchical science in polymers, physics, engineering, biology and life science. Examples are given to illustrate how to design an optimal hierarchically porous material for specific applications ranging from catalysis and separation to biomedicine, photonics, and energy conversion and storage. With individual chapters written by leading experts, this is the authoritative treatment, serving as an essential reference for researchers and beginners alike.

A Brief History of Polymeric Cryogels Vladmir I. Lozinsky Basic Principles of Cryotropic Gelation Vladimir I. Lozinsky, Oguz Okay Synthesis, Structure-Property Relationships of Cryogels Oguz Okay, Vladimir I. Lozinsky Kinetic Analysis of Cryotropic Gelation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/water Solutions by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Claudio De Rosa, Finizia Auriemma, Rocco Di Girolamo Cryogels via UV Irradiation Technique Petar D. Petrov, Christo B. Tsvetanov Inorganic Cryogels Oleg A. Shlyakhtin Cryogels for Biotechnological Applications Bo Mattiasson Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications Wankei Wan, A. Dawn Bannerman, Lifang Yang, Helium Mak.

This indispensable handbook provides comprehensive coverage of the current state-of-the-art in inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels – from synthesis and characterization to cutting-edge applications and their potential market impact. Built upon Springer’s successful Aerogels Handbook published in 2011, this handbook features extensive revisions and timely updates, reflecting the changes in this fast-growing field. Aerogels are the lightest solids known to man. Up to 1000 times lighter than glass and with a density only four times that of air, they possess extraordinarily high thermal, electrical, and acoustic insulation properties, and boast numerous entries in Guinness World Records. Originally based on silica, R&D efforts have extended this class of materials to incorporate non-silicate inorganic oxides, natural and synthetic organic polymers, carbon, metal, and ceramic materials. Composite systems involving polymer-crosslinked aerogels and interpenetrating hybrid networks have been developed and exhibit remarkable mechanical strength and flexibility. Even more exotic aerogels based on clays, chalcogenides, phosphides, quantum dots, and biopolymers such as chitosan are opening new applications for the construction, transportation, energy, defense and healthcare industries. Applications in electronics, chemistry, mechanics, engineering, energy production and storage, sensors, medicine, nanotechnology, military and aerospace, oil and gas recovery, thermal insulation, and household uses are being developed. Readers of this fully updated and expanded edition will find an exhaustive source for all aerogel materials known today, their fabrication, upscaling aspects, physical and chemical properties, and the most recent advances towards applications and commercial use. This key reference is essential reading for a combined audience of graduate students, academic researchers, and industry professionals.