Aerogels

Aerogels are a class of highly porous materials with low thermal conductivity, high surface area, and low density. They are created by removing the liquid component of a gel through supercritical drying, leaving behind a solid matrix with pores that are nanometers in size. Aerogels have unique properties that make them useful in space and astronautical engineering applications. They are excellent thermal insulators, able to withstand extreme temperatures and protect spacecraft from heat during re-entry. They are also used as lightweight structural materials, as their high surface area and porosity make them strong and stiff. Additionally, aerogels have been used as filters for air and water purification systems in spacecraft and as catalysts for chemical reactions in space.

Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
  • Doppler Effect (aka Doppler Shift): The Doppler Effect, also known as Doppler Shift, is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source. In space and astronautical engineering, the Doppler Effect is used to ... Read More >>
  • Geomagnetic Activity: Geomagnetic activity refers to the variations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by the interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles that flows from the Sun and interact ... Read More >>
  • Habitat Manufacturing: Habitat Manufacturing is the process of designing, constructing, and assembling habitable structures for use in space. This includes the development of materials and technologies that can withstand the harsh conditions of space, such as ext ... Read More >>
Top News

Bestselling author explains the science of happiness: "You can do the work"...

Bestselling author and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks opens up about how enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning in life can increase a person's wellbeing....

News Source: CBS News on 2024-11-18

November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. H...

November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. Here's when it peaks and why it's called the Beaver Moon....

News Source: CBS News on 2024-11-15

You can't put a price on the sense of awe particle physics inspires...

Astronomy and particle physics are no longer seen as vital by the US establishment, so funding has fallen. But our work creates a sense of wonder, and wonder matters, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein...

News Source: New Scientist on 2024-11-13

If you want to stretch your gift game into days this holiday, check out these ad...

The advent calendar phenomenon is growing every year, with so many exciting, fun, beautiful, and delicious options available...

News Source: ABC News on 2024-11-04

November brings a bonanza of meteor showers...

November brings a skywatching bonanza, with three meteor showers — the Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids and Orionids — offering chances to see shooting stars....

News Source: NBC News on 2024-11-02