Aerogel
Aerogel is a gel in which the liquid part has been replaced with a gas (usually air). It was invented in 1931 by Samuel Stephens Kistler. The most common type of aerogel is silica aerogel, which is made from the same molecule as glass. It is a solid material that is almost as light as air. It is the world's lightest material.[1] Its melting point is 1200 degrees Celsius, which is comparable to crocidolite asbestos. Aerogel is the best thermal insulator available and can be used in construction in place of fiberglass insulation. It allows better insulation with less material, although it is much more expensive than fiberglass. It is also brittle, making it more difficult to install than fiberglass. Most aerogel is not water-resistant, and even small amounts of water can destroy it. It is also safer than fiberglass or asbestos because it is not known to cause cancer if inhaled into the lungs.[2] Some aerogel insulation, however, contains fiberglass to increase its flexibility.[3]
Aerogel Media
- Aerogel hand.jpg
A block of silica aerogel in a hand.
- Aerogel fabrication strategies Polymers 2019.png
Comparison of aerogel fabrication strategies showing typical transitions into an aerogel: (a) the supercritical drying process where precursor materials undergo gelation prior to supercritical drying. (b) A standard freeze-drying technique where an aqueous solution is frozen.
- Phase diagram gel to aerogel transition Polymers 2019.png
A typical phase diagram for pure compounds. Two methods are shown for the gel to aerogel transition: The solid-gas transition (during freeze-drying) and the transition from a liquid to gas during supercritical drying.
- Brick of aerogel.jpg
A 2.5 kg brick is supported by a piece of aerogel with a mass of 2 g.
- Stardust Dust Collector with aerogel.jpg
The "Stardust" dust collector with aerogel blocks. (NASA)
- Stardust-particle-Tsou060207b.jpg
Cosmic dust caught in aerogel blocks from "Stardust". (NASA)
- Oil absorption by BN aerogel.jpg
Oil absorption by an aerogel. (Scientific Reports)
- BN aerogel on hair.jpg
An aerogel held up by hair. (Scientific Reports)
- Aerogel crayons.jpg
An aerogel holding crayons, with a flame lit underneath, demonstrating its excellent insulation from heat. (NASA)
References
- ↑ Quick, Darren (March 24, 2013). Graphene aerogel takes world’s lightest material crown Archived 2013-03-25 at the Wayback Machine. gizmag.com
- ↑ Cryogel 5201, 10201 Safety Data Sheet Archived 2010-12-23 at the Wayback Machine. Aspen Aerogels. 11/13/07
- ↑ "Aerogel-definition, characteristics and application". Archived from the original on 2021-08-20.
Other websites
Media related to Aerogel at Wikimedia Commons
