Aerogel is a synthetic porous ultralight material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component for the gel has been replaced with a gas. The result is a solid with extremely low density and low thermal conductivity. Nicknames include frozen smoke, solid smoke, solid air, solid cloud, blue smoke owing to its translucent nature and the way light scatters in the material. It feels like fragile expanded polystyrene to the touch. Aerogels can be made from a variety of chemical compounds.
Aerogel was first created by Samuel Stephens Kistler in 1931, as a result of a bet with Charles Learned over who could replace the liquid in "jellies" with gas without causing shrinkage.
A 2.5 kg brick is supported by a piece of aerogel with a mass of 2 g.
Fireproof
A flower is on a piece of aerogel which is suspended over a flame from a Bunsen burner. Aerogel has excellent insulating properties, and the flower is protected from the flame.
- In 2004 about US$25 million of aerogel insulation products were sold, which had risen to about US$500 million by 2013. This represents the most substantial economic impact of these materials today. The potential to replace conventional insulation with aerogel solutions in the building and construction sector as well as in industrial insulation is quite significant.
- In granular form to add insulation to skylights. Georgia Institute of Technology's 2007 Solar Decathlon House project used an aerogel as an insulator in the semi-transparent roof.
- NASA also used aerogel for thermal insulation of the Mars Rover.
- CamelBak uses aerogel as insulation in a thermal sport bottle
Waterproof
- The US Navy is evaluating aerogel undergarments as passive thermal protection for divers.
- In water purification, chalcogens have shown promise in absorbing the heavy metal pollutants mercury, lead, and cadmium from water.
Other Uses
- The Stardust dust collector with aerogel blocks. (NASA)
- Commercial manufacture of aerogel 'blankets' began around the year 2000, combining silica aerogel and fibrous reinforcement that turns the brittle aerogel into a durable, flexible material. The mechanical and thermal properties of the product may be varied based upon the choice of reinforcing fibers, the aerogel matrix and opacification additives included in the composite.
- Thermal insulation transmission tunnel of the Chevrolet Corvette (C7).
- 45 North uses aerogel as palm insulation in its Sturmfist 5 cycling gloves.
- PrimaLoft uses aerogel for performance to wear insulation.
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