Chapter 19 - Aerogel applications and future aspects

Abstract

Aerogels are highly porous (∼99.8% porosity), low thermal conductivity, extremely low density, low dielectric constant, as well as low refractive index man-made dense materials. These surprising features of aerogels are responsible for a wide range of technological applications. It acts as a good thermal and acoustic insulator due to its highly porous and lightweight structure. Due to its ultra-porous structure, it may be used as thermal insulation for space suits and vehicles. In 1920, a unique was material created on a bet between Samuel Kistler and his friend Charles Learned. In the earlier days, it was used as thickening agents, cigarette fillers, and insulation for freezers. Silica aerogel is the most common aerogel, the same material as glass. The first commercialization of silica aerogel was blanket for thermal insulation. After that several researchers around the world are searching applications of aerogel other than insulation. Aerogels can be organic, inorganic, and composites with other materials. Although aerogels are expensive, chemists are still carrying out tests to brand it tougher, inexpensive, and less harmful. This chapter describes the introduction of aerogels material and summary of their applications and their future aspects.