Aerogel: A Truly Space-Age Material

Aerogel Advertisers love to use the term “space-age” when describing their products, as if the materials by which they are made have been absconded from the laboratories of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.  But if ever there was a material that could truly be described as “space-age”, it is aerogel.Aerogel is one of those materials about which you may have heard or may even be able to describe, but likely don’t know the practical applications to which aerogel is presently being applied. Aerogel was invented in the 1930’s, first marketed in the 1940’s, and ultimately found practical uses in the 1980’s.  NASA was able to employ aerogels on Mars missions in the 1990’s that continue today.  Now, aerogel products are finally being developed for consumers to harness its amazing properties. This fascinatingly light, translucent solid is actually created from a gel.  Using a special process that replaces the alcohol within the gel with carbon dioxide, the liquid in the gel is removed, leaving a ...