Simple and Affordable Method for Making Aerogel

Aerogel is a highly desirable material that possesses ultra-low density, good thermal insulation, and a strong structure. But the two common methodologies of manufacturing aerogels both have limitations. The supercritical drying method requires a drying container that can withstand more than 8 megapascals. This necessarily means that this method is both relatively expensive and difficult to scale. On the other hand, the freeze-drying method can cause cracking in the finished product.

In contrast, the methodology outlined in this invention only requires a drying container that can withstand 1 atmosphere. Moreover, the proposed methodology involves both simpler and smaller equipment, leading to additional benefits in terms of cost and scaling. Finally, the aerogel that this methodology produces is fully dried at the conclusion of the process, while the current approach leads to the final product still containing some traces of solvent.

The more efficient production of aerogel has implications for industries involved in thermal insulation, chemical absorption, thickening agents, and scientific research in fields such as particle physics.

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