Aerogel

Aerogel

Aerogels are a class of synthetic porous ultralight material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component for the gel has been replaced with a gas, without significant collapse of the gel structure.[1] The result is a solid with extremely low density[2] and extremely low thermal conductivity. Aerogels can be made from a variety of chemical compounds.[3] Silica aerogels feel like fragile styrofoam to the touch, while some polymer-based aerogels feel like rigid foams.

The first documented example of an aerogel was created by Samuel Stephens Kistler in 1931,[4] as a result of a bet[5] with Charles Learned over who could replace the liquid in “jellies” with gas without causing shrinkage.[6][7]

Wikipedia

 

See also…

 


Aerogels and UFOs / UAPs

 

“Is the famous “Tic Tac” a home-grown technology? In this deep-dive, Martin Willis sits down with mathematician and technologist Joshua Bertrand to explore the cutting edge—and century-long history—of America’s lighter-than-air programs, vacuum-based aerogels, and the black-budget pathways that may intersect with the Nimitz Incident. Bertrand (B.Math, University of Waterloo; Computer Science honors; former EA/industry engineer) has spent nearly a decade cross-referencing open sources, defense programs, and material-science breakthroughs.”

 


Videos

 

Flying with Vacuum (sans aerogel)

 

 

Professor Simon videos