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Aerogels with Glass-like Transparency for Cherenkov Detectors--Aspen Systems, Inc., 184 Cedar Hill Street, , Marlborough, MA 01752-3017; 508-481-5058
Dr. Redouane Begag, Principal Investigator
Dr. Kang P. Lee, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82534
Amount: $750,000
The Cherenkov detector community has long been looking for a reliable source of aerogels with glass-like transparency and high monolithicity to enhance the sensitivity of high energy particle detectors. Aerogels are highly desirable materials due to their extremely low density, low index of refraction, and reasonably high light transmission. However, currently available aerogels are more typically translucent or opaque rather than transparent like glass. This project will develop a single-step manufacturing approach for high transparency aerogels. In Phase I, a single step gel technique was developed that used a new precursor to produce aerogels with glass-like transparency. The process was scaled up from a 3 liter reactor to a 40 liter reactor, resulting in the ability to produce highly transparent 25 x 14 x 2.1 cm3 crack-free panels, with the only limitation in size and thickness being reactor size and processing time. In Phase II, the aerogel chemistry and production process will be adjusted to match the requirements for Hermes Cherenkov detectors now being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. A faster and reactor-size independent drying method will be developed for the eventual production of 100x32.5x2.5cm3 aerogel panels in a 1000 liter plant in four hours. Detailed designs will be prepared, and a pilot plant capable of an annual production of 100,000 board feet of aerogel panels will be built.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Transparent aerogels will be very useful for Cherenkov radiation detection, extra-high R-value window glazing, light transmitting structural panels, and skylights.