What is the lightest solid aerogel on Earth?

1. The Birth of Aerogel: A Scientific Breakthrough Solving the "Gel Dehydration Dilemma"

In 1931, American scientist Samuel Kistler successfully produced aerogel using "supercritical drying" technology. By replacing the internal liquid with gas without damaging the porous structure of the gel, he created a magical material with nanoscale pores and a stable form.

2. The "Raw Material Family" of Aerogels: Silica is the Most Common, with Various Materials Adapting to Different Needs

Silica aerogel is the most widely used type. Due to its near-transparency and thermal conductivity lower than that of air, it has excellent thermal insulation performance. In addition, carbon aerogels have both thermal insulation and conductive properties; metal oxide aerogels are resistant to high temperatures; biopolymer aerogels are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, making them suitable for different application scenarios.

3. Core Characteristics of Aerogels: Lightweight, Porous, Strong Insulation, and Stable and Durable

Aerogels have a porosity of over 90%. The nanoscale pores restrict air convection, making their thermal conductivity lower than that of air; their density is only 1/20 that of foam plastic; they have a large surface area and high adsorption potential; and they have stable chemical properties, able to adapt to harsh environments.

4. Why is Aerogel a "Super Strong Thermal Insulation Material"? Looking at Its Insulation Ability from the Structural Principle

Taking silica aerogel as an example, in its three-dimensional "cluster network" structure, the nanoscale pores trap air, blocking thermal convection and gas-phase conduction. Moreover, the poor thermal conductivity of the solid allows it to maintain excellent thermal insulation performance even at extreme temperatures.

5. The Present and Future of Aerogels: From Industry to Daily Life, Gradually Becoming Our "Safety Guardian"

Aerogels have been applied in industrial thermal insulation and new energy battery thermal insulation. In the future, they will play a role in home insulation, fire-fighting clothing, outdoor equipment, and children's products. For example, they can insulate and save energy for external walls of houses, enhance the protection ability of firefighters, and optimize the warmth retention of outdoor clothing, providing safety guarantees for daily life.

Conclusion

Aerogel has moved from the laboratory to daily life, bringing convenience and safety to humans with its unique properties. With the development of technology, it will integrate into more daily scenarios as an "invisible guardian".