WIRED Staff
Science

Slideshow: A Solid That's Light as Air

In the rarefied field of space research, aerogel is a workhorse. But is it up to heavyweight commercial applications? By Dylan Tweney.
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Aerogel-impregnated fabrics from Aspen Aerogels are flexible enough to be rolled up or incorporated into clothing.Photo: Courtesy of Aspen Aerogels

See related story: A Solid That's Light as Air

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Aerogel is three times heavier than air and has a translucent, bluish color.

Photo: Courtesy of Aspen Aerogels
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This piece of aerogel from the Stardust satellite shows the tracks of comet particles, which entered on the right side of the sample.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA/JPL
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Although it is brittle, a piece of aerogel can support many times its own weight.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA/JPL