SCI FACTS'25 - Frozen Smoke

Aerogels are among the world's lightest solid materials. They are created by removing the liquid component from a gel through a process called supercritical drying, leaving behind a solid structure that is up to 99.8% air. Despite their ghostly appearance, they are surprisingly strong.

Aerogels are world-record holders in thermal insulation. Because they are mostly air and have a highly porous structure, it is almost impossible for heat to pass through them. You can place a flower on a piece of aerogel and blast the bottom with a blowtorch; the flower will remain perfectly unharmed and cool.

Because of these properties, NASA uses aerogels to insulate Mars rovers and to "catch" stardust from passing comets. The material is strong enough to stop a high-speed particle without damaging it, yet light enough to be launched into deep space without adding significant weight to the spacecraft.

In the future, aerogels may be used in sustainable architecture to create ultra-efficient home insulation. As we look for ways to reduce energy consumption, these "frozen smoke" structures offer a high-tech solution to keeping our buildings warm or cool with minimal environmental impact.