aerogel
Solid-state foam
Aerogel is an extremely lightweight solid material made by replacing the liquid in a gel with gas.
Sometimes called frozen smoke or solid air, it consists mostly of air trapped in a silica framework, making it one of the least dense solids known.
Aerogels are prized for their remarkable insulating properties: NASA uses aerogel to insulate spacecraft.
They feel almost weightless and slightly spongy to the touch.
Beyond a critical threshold
- dryingMoisture removal process
- monolithHuge solitary standing stone
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
precursor · alcogel · synthesis · fractal · amorphous · brittle · fragile
Boxing class under 126
- buoyantAble to float
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- ultralightMinimal recreational aircraft
low-density · floaty · delicate · gossamer · ethereal · tenuous · frothy · diaphanous
Pertaining to warmth
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
- superinsulationExtreme thermal barrier technology
- blanketSoft bed covering
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
NASA · spacesuit · refrigeration · fireproof · heat-resistant · soundproofing · acoustic · barrier
Composed of small units
- spongySoft and absorbent
- meshInterlocking open weave
- reticulatedArranged in netlike pattern
- openworkDecorative pierced craftsmanship
foamy · voids · interstices · breathable · permeable · filtration · capillary · diffuse
Allowing light through
- see-throughAllowing vision through
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- glassySmooth and shiny
- vitreousGlass-like in appearance
crystalline · luminous · pellucid · limpid · hazy · opalescent · bluish · sheer
supercritical
Beyond a critical threshold
- dryingMoisture removal process
- monolithHuge solitary standing stone
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
hydrophobic · precursor · alcogel · synthesis · fractal · amorphous · brittle · fragile
featherweight
Boxing class under 126
ultralight · low-density · floaty · delicate · gossamer · ethereal · tenuous · frothy · diaphanous · nimble
thermal
Pertaining to warmth
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
- superinsulationExtreme thermal barrier technology
- blanketSoft bed covering
spacecraft · NASA · spacesuit · refrigeration · fireproof · heat-resistant · soundproofing · acoustic · barrier · insulative
cellular
Composed of small units
- spongySoft and absorbent
- meshInterlocking open weave
- reticulatedArranged in netlike pattern
openwork · foamy · voids · interstices · breathable · permeable · filtration · capillary · diffuse · percolate
transparent
Allowing light through
- see-throughAllowing vision through
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- glassySmooth and shiny
vitreous · crystalline · luminous · pellucid · limpid · hazy · opalescent · bluish · sheer · filmy
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- gelsJell-O, agar, jelly
- insulationfiberglass, mineral wool, foam, cellulose, rock wool
- insulatorsrubber, insulator, glass, dielectric, electrical tape
- fillersfiller, gap filler, filler material, caulk, grout
- lightweight materialslightweight, balsa, ultralight, featherweight, carbon fiber
aerogelliquid
Free-flowing substance
solid block · water · fluid · molten metal
aerogellead weight
Dense metal counterbalance
anvil · cannonball · ballast · deadweight · ingot