Aerogel and You

Aerogel may very well be the next step in mankind's technological evolution. Ironically, it was first invented in 1931 by Steven Kistler as a result of a bet over who could replace the liquid inside of a jar with gas without causing it to shrink. However, initial versions of aerogel proved too brittle and too costly for practical application, and it wasn't until recently that NASA took an interest in it.

Also known as frozen smoke, aerogel is made by extracting water from a silica gel and replacing it with a gas such as carbon dioxide. While it is chemically similar to ordinary glass, it is composed of 99.8% air, and with a weight just three times that of air, it is the world's lightest solid. In spite of its low density, it is also the world's best insulator; a one-inch thick pane of aerogel provides the same insulation as 15 panes of glass.

Including best insulator and lowest density solid, it holds 15 records in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In 2002, NASA company Aspen Aerogel produced a stronger and more flexible version of aerogel which is being used to develop an insulated lining in spacesuits for the first manned-mission to Mars, scheduled for 2018. An 18mm thick layer of this frozen smoke will protect astronauts from temperatures as low as -202 degrees Fahrenheit.

Previously too expensive for commercial uses, recent advances in technology have lowered its price tag and brought this revolutionary material into the consumer market.

Earlier this year, a resident of Nottingham, Great Britain became the first to install aerogel in his home as insulation. The results? "Heating has improved significantly. I turned the thermostat down five degrees. It’s been a remarkable transformation."

Okay. So it's great for insulating spacesuits and houses, but what else is aerogel good for?

How about bomb-proof armor for military vehicles and our troops? During testing, a metal plate coated in 6mm of aerogel was left virtually unscathed by a dynamite blast.

Sports? Dunlop has developed a line of squash and tennis rackets strengthened by aerogel, which are said to deliver more power.

Outdoor enthusiasts benefit as well. Last year, a British mountaineer climbed Mount Everest using boots with aerogel insoles and sleeping bags padded with aerogel. When asked to comment on the effectiveness of aerogel in these sub-arctic conditions, she said, "My feet were too hot."

Aerogel also has the potential to have a profound impact on our environment. Because of its chemical properties, it acts like a super-sponge capable of cleaning pollutants from the air, ground, and water.

Aerogel's potential is limitless. We could spend forever dreaming up uses for it. Imagine not only the gas mileage, but the safety rating of a car made primarily of aerogel. Unbreakable aerogel dishes? Soda bottles? Aerogel coffee mugs that would keep your joe steaming hot for hours? Earmuffs ... cushions ... oven mitts ... packing peanuts ... snowboards, skis, and surfboards ... couches ... refrigerators ... tires ... we could go on for days. Can you imagine how easy it would be to move with furniture that weighed only three times more than air? We know our Soldiers in Iraq would love to trade in their 80 pounds of body armor and battle-rattle for an aerogel suit.

What uses can you think of for aerogel? Aerogel condoms, anyone? Yes? No? Tell us your ideas!