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Sunday 22 April 2012

Sunday; sleuth;



Aerogel


It is also known as frozen smoke, Aerogel is the world's lowest density solid, at 96% air. It's a gel made from silicon. The liquid has been taken out and replaced with gas. Holding a small piece in your hand, it's nearly impossible to either see or feel it,  if you poke it, it feels like styrofoam.


Aerogel is useful. It supports up to 4,000 times its own weight and could  withstand a direct blast from two pounds of dynamite. It is  the best insulator in existence. It is not used  as insulator in jackets,  because it works so well that people were complaining about overheating on Mt. Everest.



4 comments:

  1. Hello Titania! I have not come across this gel before. Thanks for sharing this useful material. Have a great Sunday!!

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  2. Stephanie, hi, thanks, is science not absolutely amazing?

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  3. One thing I like about blogging, is the number of surprising facts that crop up along the way. This one is no exception.

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  4. Martin, thanks for your comment. I agree with you!

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