A porous glass composite material is prepared comprising a gel containing
water and a polymeric network containing at least one alkoxosilane
derivative having a group of alterable charge, a hydrophobic group and a
hydrophilic group. The alkoxosilane derivative is preferably a derivative
of an alkoxosilane having the general formula (OR.sup.1).sub.3
Si-spacer-Si(OR.sup.2).sub.3, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or
different and may be hydrogen; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and
unbranched C.sub.1-20 -alkyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and
unbranched C.sub.1-20 -alkenyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched
and unbranched C.sub.1-20 -alkynyls; substituted, unsubstituted, and
multiple ring aryl groups; or combinations thereof; and water. Devices
including the glass composite include chromatographic and other separation
media, drug delivery vehicles, and electric and mechanical actuators.
