The term Aerogel comes from two words – Air and Gel. And there is history to that name!
- Aerogel is an ultralight material made from gel and gas. It's been nicknamed "frozen smoke" or "solid cloud" because of its ethereal appearance.
- Scientists have created more than a dozen recipes for different types of aerogel, but they all share a similar process: mix chemicals together, let them settle into a wet gel, and then suck all of the liquid out. The result is a substance of extremely low density that is actually 99 percent air.
- Because it's made primarily of air and air is such a terrible heat conductor, placing a layer of Aerogel between a flower and a flame will protect the flower from getting destroyed.