Biofoam II
First Claim
1. A method for forming a rigid, microcellular biofoam, comprising:
- (a) dissolving a naturally occurring organic material in a primary solvent to form a mixture;
(b) forming a gel from the mixture, where the pores in the gel are occupied by the primary solvent;
(c) replacing the primary solvent with a second solvent;
(d) freezing the gel; and
(e) drying the gel to form an organic biofoam.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
56 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for forming a rigid, microcellular biofoam, comprising:
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(a) dissolving a naturally occurring organic material in a primary solvent to form a mixture; (b) forming a gel from the mixture, where the pores in the gel are occupied by the primary solvent; (c) replacing the primary solvent with a second solvent; (d) freezing the gel; and (e) drying the gel to form an organic biofoam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification