Aerogel – The Building Material Of The Future



Aerogel_hand

UPDATED (19/11/2011): There is a lighter material than aerogel! It is named “ultralight metallic microlattice”, currently flaunted as the lightest material on Earth! View the full news article here: Click! 

About Aerogel

Aerogel represents a class of materials that could be central to the future of construction and insulation. This synthetic porous material, derived from a gel where the liquid part has been replaced with a gas, embodies a set of properties making it uniquely suitable for a range of innovative applications. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the properties, types, manufacturing processes, applications, challenges, and future prospects of aerogel, underscoring its potential to revolutionize the building industry.

Introduction

Aerogel, often dubbed ‘frozen smoke’ for its ethereal appearance, is a solid with an extremely low density and thermal conductivity. Its structure is almost entirely composed of gas, making it one of the lightest solid materials known. This material, first created in 1931, has evolved from a laboratory curiosity into a material with significant potential in various industries, especially in building and construction.

Properties of Aerogel

  • Extremely Low Densities: Aerogels can be lighter than air if the air is evacuated from their structure, making them the lightest solids available.
  • Excellent Heat Insulation Properties: With thermal conductivities lower than that of the still air, aerogels are superior insulators.
  • Prone to Shattering: Despite their impressive insulating properties, aerogels are brittle and can easily break into a powdery substance.
  • Hydrophilic Nature: Generally, aerogels have a tendency to absorb water from the air, although hydrophobic versions are also manufactured.

Types of Aerogel

There are various types of aerogels, each with unique properties tailored for specific applications:

  • Silica Aerogels: The most common type, known for their excellent insulation properties.
  • Carbon Aerogels: Valued in electronics and energy storage for their high surface area.
  • Metal Oxide Aerogels: Such as alumina, used in catalysis and sensors.
  • Polymer Aerogels: Known for their mechanical strength and flexibility, suitable for various applications.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of aerogel involves several steps:

  1. Gel Formation: A solution containing a precursor (e.g., silica) is mixed with a solvent and a catalyst to form a gel.
  2. Aging: The gel is left to strengthen.
  3. Solvent Exchange: The liquid within the gel is replaced with a solvent that can be easily removed.
  4. Drying: The crucial step where the liquid is removed without causing the gel structure to collapse. Supercritical drying, where the liquid is transformed into a supercritical fluid, is commonly used.

Applications in Building and Construction

Aerogel’s unique properties make it an ideal material for various applications in the construction industry:

  • Insulation: Aerogel’s exceptional thermal insulation properties make it ideal for insulating buildings, significantly reducing energy consumption.
  • Glazing: Aerogel-filled windows can significantly improve thermal performance without compromising transparency.
  • Sound Insulation: The porous nature of aerogels also makes them effective sound insulators.
  • Lightweight Construction Materials: Aerogels can be incorporated into structural elements to reduce weight without sacrificing strength.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of aerogel in the building industry faces several challenges:

  • Cost: High production costs have limited its application to high-value markets. Ongoing research focuses on cost-effective manufacturing processes.
  • Fragility: The brittle nature of aerogels can be a drawback. However, developing composites has improved their mechanical properties.
  • Water Sensitivity: Hydrophilic aerogels can degrade in moisture-rich environments. Hydrophobic modifications have been developed to address this issue.

Future Prospects

The future of aerogel in the building sector looks promising, with ongoing research aimed at overcoming existing challenges and expanding its applications. Innovations in manufacturing processes are expected to reduce costs, making aerogel-based solutions more accessible. Furthermore, the development of new aerogel types and composites is likely to enhance its applicability and performance in construction.

Conclusion

Aerogel stands on the brink of transforming the building and construction industry. Its unparalleled insulation properties, combined with ongoing advancements in technology, are paving the way for its broader adoption. As research continues to address its limitations and find new applications, aerogel is poised to become a cornerstone material in the pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability in construction.

By tackling the current challenges head-on and leveraging its unique properties, aerogel can indeed become the building material of the future, offering solutions to some of the most pressing issues faced by the construction industry today.

Pictures from aerogel.org

aerogel 1
A tile of silica aerogel supporting a brick over 2000x its weight
aerogel 2
Silica aerogel tile insulating matches from the heat of a blow torch
aerogel 3

You can learn how to make Aerogel here + its a great site for information on Aerogel: http://www.aerogel.org/

You can buy Aerogel here to play with or just be fascinated by it: http://www.buyaerogel.com/

I found a video on the production of aerogel at home:


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