aerogels
Ultralight porous solids
Aerogels are ultralight solid materials made by replacing the liquid in a gel with gas, leaving behind a porous structure that is mostly air.
Despite being among the lightest solids known, aerogels can support thousands of times their own weight.
They're prized as insulators in aerospace and industrial applications: Silica aerogel lined the spacecraft's thermal protection system.
Their ghostly, translucent appearance has earned them the nickname "frozen smoke."
Allowing passage of fluids
- microporousHaving microscopic holes
- cellularComposed of small units
- reticulatedArranged in netlike pattern
- honeycombedPerforated with cavities
lattice · spongy · network · framework · monolithic · voids · interstice · precursor
Silicon dioxide compound
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- aluminaOxide of a light metal
biopolymer · cellulose · organic · inorganic · composite · nanomaterial · pectin · agar
Permitting diffused light passage
- transparentAllowing light through
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
- see-throughAllowing vision through
- glassySmooth and shiny
luminous · opalescent · clear · refractive
Minimal recreational aircraft
- low-densityLacking concentration or mass
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
- buoyantAble to float
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
airy · ethereal · wispy · delicate · floaty · tenuous · insubstantial
Federal space exploration bureau
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- drug-deliveryAdministering medicine to body
sensors · supercapacitors · soundproofing · windows · wetsuits
Preventing heat or electricity passage
- superinsulationExtreme thermal barrier technology
- r-valueTemporary, movable expression
- refractoryResistant to heat/control
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
energy-efficient · barrier · fireproof · insulative · weatherization
porous
Allowing passage of fluids
- microporousHaving microscopic holes
- cellularComposed of small units
- reticulatedArranged in netlike pattern
honeycombed · lattice · spongy · network · framework · monolithic · voids · interstice · precursor · alcogel
silica
Silicon dioxide compound
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
alumina · biopolymer · cellulose · organic · inorganic · composite · nanomaterial · pectin · agar · synthetic
translucent
Permitting diffused light passage
- transparentAllowing light through
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
- see-throughAllowing vision through
glassy · luminous · opalescent · clear · refractive
ultralight
Minimal recreational aircraft
- low-densityLacking concentration or mass
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
- buoyantAble to float
gossamer · airy · ethereal · wispy · delicate · floaty · tenuous · insubstantial
NASA
Federal space exploration bureau
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
drug-delivery · sensors · supercapacitors · soundproofing · windows · wetsuits
insulating
Preventing heat or electricity passage
- superinsulationExtreme thermal barrier technology
- r-valueTemporary, movable expression
- refractoryResistant to heat/control
cryogenic · energy-efficient · barrier · fireproof · insulative · weatherization
- heat protectionheat shield, heat shields, tiles, ceramic tiles, heat sink
- lightweight materialslightweight, balsa, ultralight, featherweight, carbon fiber
- adsorbentsactivated carbon, zeolite, bentonite, biochar, charcoal
- polymerspolymer, elastomers, monomer, polyurethane foam, silicone rubber
- porous materialsactivated carbon, nanopores, diatomaceous earth, pumice, perlite
- soft mattercolloids, emulsions, gels, foams, polymers