Aerogels are ultralight, highly porous materials with incredible insulation properties. Learn how they are revolutionizing multiple industries.

Aerogels were first created in 1931 by Samuel Stephens Kistler. Discover the accidental discovery that led to this breakthrough material.

Aerogels are 90-99.8% air, making them one of the lightest solid materials. They provide superior insulation but can be fragile.

Aerogels are created by removing liquid from gels using a supercritical drying process that preserves their structure.

NASA has used aerogels for spacecraft insulation, rocket fuel pipelines, and even in comet dust collection.

Aerogels are costly, with some sheets priced at thousands of dollars. Can new production methods make them more affordable?

The European Space Agency and NASA have used aerogels to protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures and capture cosmic dust.

Aerogels are being used for ultra-efficient building insulation, reducing energy costs while maintaining indoor temperature stability.

Scientists are developing aerogels for medical applications, such as drug delivery, water purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Researchers are enhancing aerogels with properties like flexibility, fire resistance, and electrical conductivity for new applications.

Companies like Cabot Corporation, Aspen Aerogels, and Aerogel Technologies are pushing aerogels into mainstream use.

As production costs drop and new applications emerge, aerogels could transform industries from construction to space travel.