Posted: 10/3/2011 5:17:10 PM EDT
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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.):     |
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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. |
