Aerogel: More Than Meets the Eye

Aerogel is a material that was discovered in the 1930s.  It is composed of 99.8% air, but has unimaginable strength and mind blowing inherent characteristics.

Check it out.  A one pound block of aerogel can support the weight of 1,000 pounds.  It is an amazing material for insulation of heat, sound, and electricity.  A one inch thick piece has the same insulation as a glass window ten inches thick, and 40 times the insulation of fiberglass.  Some speculate that with its absorbing properties it could be the solution to oil spills in the future.

Due to the expense of aerogel, it is currently only being used by NASA and government uses, but could possibly be one of the most influential materials in the future.  People are trying to figure out how to manufacture the material in a more cost efficient way.

Think about it.  An entire house insulated with aerogel.  This house would be incredibly efficient.  I can only imagine how much one's electric bill would be greatly reduced.  The material is semi transparent, and can be used in windows to bring light into a space, only increasing the insulation of this perspective home.

I'm very curious to see what products will be produced out of this incredible material in the future.  The possibilities are endless.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2deYup/dornob.com/aerogel-see-through-strong-as-steel-ligher-than-air/

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/04/11/aerogel-insulation-advances/