As the demand for advanced thermal management and solar energy technologies intensifies, researchers from Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology and Nanjing Tech University have unveiled a breakthrough in multifunctional aerogel design. Led by Dr. Shanyu Zhao, Professor Wim J. Malfait, and Professor Xiaodong Shen, the team has developed 3D-printable super-black silica–carbon composite aerogels that combine ultra-low thermal conductivity, extreme light absorption, and high photothermal conversion efficiency, offering transformative potential for thermal insulation and solar-driven applications.
Why Super-Black Silica-Carbon Aerogels Matter
Innovative Design and Features
Applications and Future Outlook
This pioneering work demonstrates how 3D printing, nanostructured materials, and multiphysics design can converge to create next-generation aerogels with unmatched multifunctionality. Stay tuned for more innovations from the Zhao, Malfait, and Shen teams as they push the boundaries of aerogel technologies for energy, environment, and beyond!
Nano-Micro Letters
Experimental study
Three‑dimensional Patterning Super‑Black Silica‑Based Nanocomposite Aerogels
20-Aug-2025