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AR15.COM
10/3/2011 5:17:10 PM EDT
Some folks think it it is used to transform radiation into pressure in multistage nuclear weapons...the "filler" in the second stage that when irradiated by the intense X-Rays flashes and compresses the secondary stage, crushing the Uranium "sparkplug"



It has the lowest bulk density of any known porous solid



It is used in insulation, both electrical and thermal. It stops virtually all convection, radiation, and conduction transfer.



It is an awesome dialectric and is used in high capacity capacitors



It can be made from several different elements.



It is man made.



It is incredibly light, yet incredibly strong.  A small biscuit of the stuff will hold almost a ton.



Its relative surface area is off the scale...but, stressed enough and it will shatter like glass.



It is almost invisible.



It loves to absorb IR but it is nearly translucent so it makes good building light ways.



It is used in space craft.



It "glows" in normal light.



So, my scientific friends...what is it?





Here are some pictures (Please don't cheat by checking the picture properties.):





















10/3/2011 5:18:44 PM EDT
[#1]
Diet Tofu?
10/3/2011 5:19:37 PM EDT
[#2]
aerogel
10/3/2011 5:19:51 PM EDT
[#3]
aerogel



Beaten:  That's what I get for typing with one hand

10/3/2011 5:20:17 PM EDT
[#4]
polystyrine
10/3/2011 5:20:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
aerogel


I would love to get a chunk of that.
10/3/2011 5:21:40 PM EDT
[#6]
There are a few source online where you can order discs or squares of it.  I've thought about getting some to play with.
10/3/2011 5:22:45 PM EDT
[#7]
Well done!



It is aerogel.  Cool stuff isn't it.  
10/3/2011 5:23:20 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
aerogel


I would love to get a chunk of that.


Ditto! NASA used it to collect dust from comet trails during the Stardust mission....I think


Quoted:
Well done!

It is aerogel.  Cool stuff isn't it.  

Very cool
10/3/2011 5:23:29 PM EDT
[#9]
10/3/2011 5:23:35 PM EDT
[#10]
So what round for aerogel?
10/3/2011 5:24:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Big $ when i wanted to buy a chunk to play with
10/3/2011 5:25:51 PM EDT
[#12]
You can buy it here well THERE
10/3/2011 5:25:55 PM EDT
[#13]
That woman has a very hairy arm.
10/3/2011 5:26:13 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
So what round for aerogel?


What if we had rounds made of aerogel?  
10/3/2011 5:27:24 PM EDT
[#15]
You want it all but you can't have it.
10/3/2011 5:27:38 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
aerogel


10/3/2011 5:28:04 PM EDT
[#17]


starting at $5.50
10/3/2011 5:28:57 PM EDT
[#18]
I wonder if you get a piece of that stuff to float if you heated it hotter than the surrounding air.
 



Edit: or is it not really that light
10/3/2011 5:29:10 PM EDT
[#19]



Quoted:


You want it all but you can't have it.


It's in your face but you can't grab it?

 






I dismember that song.
10/3/2011 5:31:51 PM EDT
[#20]
10/3/2011 5:36:43 PM EDT
[#21]



Quoted:


Well done!



It is aerogel.  Cool stuff isn't it.  


Another spin-off from the space program if this site's ( http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=89  ) statement is accurate.



                                                       



 
10/3/2011 5:40:40 PM EDT
[#22]
It's a ghost possum damn it.
10/3/2011 5:41:20 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
I wonder if you get a piece of that stuff to float if you heated it hotter than the surrounding air.  

Edit: or is it not really that light


The object has to weigh less than the air it displaces.

10/3/2011 5:57:20 PM EDT
[#24]
Weighs about 3x the same volume of air IIRC.
10/3/2011 6:35:38 PM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:

Quoted:
You want it all but you can't have it.

It's in your face but you can't grab it?  


I dismember that song.



I kinda remember it, but cannot remember who sung it or the title, and now I'm insanely curious

ETA:


From college days. FLASHBACK!
10/3/2011 6:37:44 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
aerogel

Beaten:  That's what I get for typing with one hand


Uhhhhhh...

And surfing GD?