These materials are easily synthesized and show Type 1M behavior of the proper curvature, and have a capacity of about 20 percent by weight for the reversible sorption of water. Michigan Technological University has just started an investigation of porous glass materials. These materials are capable of reversible water sorption and have shown Type I isotherms and water uptakes up to about 20 percent. They can be easily synthesized and modified to achieve ideal desiccant properties. The Materials Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University has developed a new class of materials called nano-composites.
Constituents being studied are gels, zeolites, and clays.
Mixtures of these can be designed to achieve reversible water sorption. Type 1M behavior has been observed for several of these materials with water uptakes as large as 34 percent. For information on the La Rouche Chemicals and Eaton projects, Davor Novosel, GRI Project Manager, Gas Cooling.