Methods and systems for conducting demand-based trading are described. The method may include the following steps in certain example embodiments: forming a mullite sol by mixing glycycloxypropyltrimethoxysilane with an aluminum chloride, and one or more of a solvent and water; casting the mixture by spin coating to form a layer on a substrate ; and curing andor heat treating the layer. The elastomeric pad can be bonded to the overlap sections or joined with rubber buttons inserted through holes formed in the overlap sections.