*** 9661236 Treadwell This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop low-cost, processable precursors to numerous aluminosilicates. Certain modified silatranes and aluminum carboxylates form water stable solutions suggesting the potential for water processable aluminosilicate precursors. The phase I objectives are: (1) develop an understanding of the dissolution processes that control the rates of formation of mullite, spinel and cordierite precursors; (2) examine simple methods of modifying aluminum alkoxides to determine water solubility and stability and scale up; and (3) characterize the processability and physical properties of these polymer types. If this approach is successful it could lead to significantly less expensive ceramic coatings and composites. ***
