A porous glass composite material comprising at least one alkoxodisilane (precursor) having the general formula (or.sup.1).sub.3Si-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 he glass composite materials are also described. Examples include chromatographic and other separation media, drug delivery vehicles, and electric and mechanical actuators.