Even though it has incredibly low density, "Aerogel" is one of the most powerful man-made materials on the planet. It can support thousands times of its own weight, block intense heat, cold and sound – still it is about 1,000 times less dense than glass, looks nearly as transparent and is composed of %99.8 air. The lowest-density silica-based aerogels are even lighter than air. [No kiddin]
Despite its fragility in certain regards and its incredible lack of density, aerogel has amazing thermal, acoustical and electrical insulation properties as illustrated by the images here. A single one-pound block can also support half a ton of weight. NASA is continuously searching for new space-based applications to use this incredible material.
An aerogel window one inch thick has the effective insulative capacity of a ten-inch thick glass window system. While it is still expensive and has other limitations, this material – originally developed nearly a century ago but still undergoing experimentation – could prove to be one of the most influential materials of the 21st Century.
Aside from its other capabilities, aerogel also has amazing absorbing abilities. Some speculate it could be the future solution to oil spills. It is also being tested as a possible slow-release drug deliver system for potential human patients............Awesome isn't it???
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