What will aerogel be used for?

Aerogels provide very effective insulation, because they are extremely porous and the pores are in the nanometer range. Traditional silica-based aerogels have been successfully used in many applications, such as providing insulation on a Mars Rover. They have also been used in many commercial products.

How does NASA use aerogel?

While NASA uses Aspen Aerogels’ product for cryogenic applications such as launch vehicles, space shuttle applications, life support equipment, and rocket engine test stands, there is an array of commercial industrial applications including pipe insulation, building and construction, appliances and refrigeration …

What is frozen smoke?

Aerogel is the lightest solid material known. Some call it “frozen smoke”…others see it as “pet cloud.” Despite its density—three times that of air—the material has tremendous insulating capability. NASA scientists have found aerogel critical for several space missions.

Is aerogel environmentally friendly?

“Aerogels, which are among the lightest solid materials known to man, are one of the finest insulation materials available. Traditional aerogels are mainly made of silica, which is not environmentally-friendly. In contrast, cellulose is low cost and makes up 75 to 85 per cent of recycled paper.

How is aerogel used in transportation?

It has an extremely thin profile, which increases the internal volume within tight spaces. Aerogel insulation is hydrophobic, which means it has outstanding resistance to moisture. Aerogel insulation products also have excellent resistance to flame spread and smoke emission.

Why is aerogel not used?

1. Manufacturing process: Aerogels are manufactured using a sol-gel process followed by removal of the solvent without collapsing the pores. Material durability: Despite certain outstanding properties of silica aerogels, it is their brittleness that is the key limitation.