Aerogels——The Multidimensional Revolution of Future Materials-1746689760283304
aerogels——The Multidimensional Revolution of Future Materials
Perhaps you have heard of aerogel——the lightest solid in the world, but do you know about it?
Let's step into the sci-fi world of "solid smoke"!
I. What is Aerogel?
Aerogel is a nanoporous solid material composed of colloidal particles or polymer molecules. As the name suggests, it is a gel filled with gas. It was first prepared in 1931 by American chemist Samuel Kistler① using supercritical drying technology. Known as "solid smoke" or "frozen clouds", this material is celebrated for its extremely low density and ultrahigh porosity (up to 99.8%②).
Aerogels can be classified into inorganic aerogels (e.g., silica, alumina), organic aerogels, and carbon-based aerogels depending on their composition. Silica aerogels, the earliest commercialized type, are widely used for their exceptional thermal insulation properties.
II. Key Characteristics of Aerogels
The unique properties of aerogels stem from their nanoporous structure, which endows them with the following features:
These properties have earned aerogels multiple Guinness World Records titles, including "World's Lightest Solid" and "Best Insulating Material".
III. Broad Applications of a Revolutionary Material
With groundbreaking performance, aerogels have permeated high-tech and civilian sectors:
Recently, aerogels have shown immense potential in emerging fields such as thermal management forelectric-vehicle batteries and hydrogen energy storage/transport.
IV. Breakthrough Performance in Building Insulation
Compared to traditional insulation materials, aerogels offer transformative advantages:
1. Ultra-Thin Efficiency: Achieves equivalent insulation with 1/5 the thickness, saving space.
2. Lightweight Revolution: Reduces weight by over 80%, lowering transport and installation costs.
3. Fire Safety: Inorganic aerogels meet Class A1 fire ratings, eliminating fire risks.
4. Long-Term Stability: Inorganic composition resists aging, ensuring extended service life.
5. Eco-Friendly: Low production energy consumption and 30–50% energy savings during use.
Armacell's ArmaGel XGC aerogel insulation blanket, leveraging aerogel's potential, is designed for high-temperature applications up to 650°C. It is fire-resistant, hydrophobic, breathable, and reduces CUI (Corrosion Under Insulation) risks, keeping pipelines dry and extending equipment lifespan.
Compared to competitors, ArmaGel blankets now offer doubled maximum thickness (20mm vs. 10mm), reducing installation time. Enhanced flexibility ensures tight adhesion to pipes, minimizing air gaps and corrosion risks. Armacell has developed multiple ArmaGel variants to meet insulation needs in petrochemical and industrial sectors.
From a "scientific marvel" in labs to an industrial "material dark horse," aerogels are reshaping humanity’s understanding of materials with their cloud-like lightness, steel-like strength, and vacuum-like insulation. Driven by carbon neutrality goals, this century-old technology is accelerating into daily life, offering sustainable solutions for energy-efficient buildings, new energy development, and space exploration. As production costs decline and processes improve, aerogels may become the hallmark material of the green technology era.
References
1. Kistler, S. S. (1931). Nature, 127, 741.
2. Highest porosity record (99.98%) from NASA JPL
3. Typical thermal conductivity of silica aerogel at ambient pressure (NIST)
4. Materials Today, DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2019.08.003
5. Advanced Materials Review: DOI: 10.1002/adma.201904779
