Composite materials comprising supported porous gels

A process for preparing a composite material that comprises a support member that has a plurality of pores extending through the support member and, located in the pores of the support member and filling the pores of the support member, a macroporous cross-linked gel, the process comprising:

• a) introducing into the pores of the support member a solution or suspension of
• i) one or more monomers and one or more cross-linking agents that can combine to form a macroporous gel, or
• ii) one or more cross-linkable polymers and one or more cross-linking agents that can combine to form a macroporous gel,
• b) reacting the monomers and the cross-linking agent or the polymer and the cross-linking agent to form a macroporous cross-linked gel that fills the pores of the support member.