Glass That Can Absorb

New materials like Earogel might change the future for good.

Steel and plastic is the most useful material on the planet. It is however sad that they are also the biggest polluters. Plastic can take several hundred years to degrade into nothingness. Steel rusts into dust but it takes some elbow grease and a whole lot of pollution to create it. Both useful to the modern world but earth killers.

The invention of a Earogel that started in 1931 was initially sparked by a simple bet. It is surprising that a materiel like Earogel has slipped passed the invention of the year awards. It's extraordinary capabilities and strange appearance is enough to create some attention. It could even be considered alien. It's super low density and abnormally strong and durable features makes Earogel look like something from a Sci Fi movie.

The man behind this invention, Samuel Stephens Kistler , used a technique called supercritical drying and extracted the liquid component from a gel and replaced it with a gas. 'Supercritical drying is when a substance crosses the boundary from liquid to gas ,the substance volatilizes and so the volume of the liquid decreases. As this happens, surface tension at the solid-liquid interface pulls against any structures that the liquid is attached to' Wikipedia

Earogel feels like Styrofoam and is extremely light. By pressing more firmly on the Earogel it will make an indentation and if pressed a lot more firmly it will shatter like glass. Even with it's frail abilities Earogel is extremely durable and can carry 1000 time it's own weight. The most unique feature of this wonder material is the ability to be a great insulator. Because it consists of mostly gasses it cannot transfer heat. Earogel also needs to be handled with gloves because after a long period of handling it will create dry brittle spots on the skin.

Earogel has multiple uses. It can be used to provide insulation to skylights and is a perfect material for a thermal insulation to windows. Due to it's absorption abilities it can be used to clean up spills like a sponge. Some customers can use this as a semi see through roof. Earogel is also a excellent as a slow release substance. This creates potential for a better slow release medicines. NASA uses this material extensively and even insulated the Mars rover. Earogel is truly a remarkable invention for the modern age, it is however a pity that it is still very expensive to produce. Further research are being done to make this material cost effective.