aerogel
Quick Summary
Aerogel is a synthetic material known for its extreme lightness and high porosity, often described as "solid smoke". It is formed by replacing the liquid in a gel with a gas, resulting in a solid structure that retains the gel's size but has a significantly lower density.1
Key characteristics of aerogel include:
* High Porosity: Up to 98 percent porous.1
* Low Weight: Extremely light due to its porous structure.1
* Insulating Properties: Excellent thermal, electrical, and sound insulation.1
Silica aerogel, a specific type, is a fine, lightweight powder made from silica gel. It is particularly effective as thermal insulation, especially at low temperatures. Despite its desirable properties, the high cost of production currently limits its widespread use in consumer products.21
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cometSpacecraft exploration of comets…made of silica (sand) called aerogel that had a very low density, approaching that of air. The idea was that the aerogel would slow the dust particles without destroying them, much as a detective might shoot a bullet into a box full of cotton in order to collect the undamaged…
Read More…made of silica (sand) called aerogel that had a very low density, approaching that of air. The idea was that the aerogel would slow the dust particles without destroying them, much as a detective might shoot a bullet into a box full of cotton in order to collect the undamaged…
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Stardust/NExT…Collection Apparatus, two arrays of aerogel mounted on opposite sides of a common plate. Aerogel is an inert silica-based substance that has an extremely low density (2 mg per cubic cm [0.001 ounce per cubic inch]). It is designed to capture particles by gently slowing and then stopping them in…
Read More…Collection Apparatus, two arrays of aerogel mounted on opposite sides of a common plate. Aerogel is an inert silica-based substance that has an extremely low density (2 mg per cubic cm [0.001 ounce per cubic inch]). It is designed to capture particles by gently slowing and then stopping them in…
Read More