Kitchen experiments with Aerogel: Introduction & Basics

Ideas, thoughts, and resources from the permanently curious.

Living

World

Politics

Aerogel Aerogel

NASA's recent use of Aerogel in the Stardust spacecraft and Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity has brought the substance to the minds of many. Pages on the internet describe its bizarre properties (world's lightest solid, best thermal insulator, and it's a fantastic desiccant) but very little in the way of practical knowledge regarding it. The aim of this project is to discover and present such knowledge.

I got one large sample of Aerogel (approximately the size of two golf balls), a small sample (one golf ball). and 950cc of granular Aerogel from United Nuclear. Experiments were split into 6 groups: Introduction & Basics, Strength and composition, Optics, Moisture, Temperature, and Electrical. There's also a section on applications for aerogel and where to buy it.

Basics

Weight and strength wise Aerogel is most like the hard pink foam insulation used in insulating homes. It is extremely brittle. Press on it lightly and it will break. If you haven't used it before buy twice as much as you think you want. You'll need it. I also recommend finding some of that pink insulation and practicing with that first. It's foolish but worth it given the cost of Aerogel.

Please proceed on to one of the sections below.