Articles tagged with Aerogel
A novel biomass-based aerogel combines two natural salt-management strategies to maintain high performance in highly concentrated brine, outperforming conventional evaporators. The material, inspired by marine fish gills, regulates ions and water transport efficiently, enabling continuous desalination even in extreme conditions.
Researchers from NUS have developed a method to turn waste from aircraft composite materials into aerogels that can be used for thermal insulation, sound absorption, and oil spill clean-up. The aerogels were found to be lightweight, non-toxic, and effective in absorbing sound and oil.
A novel dual-scale encapsulation strategy for thermal energy storage using bio-derived palmitic acid and nanocellulose is reported. The composite achieved excellent shape stability and leakage resistance with a cumulative leakage rate of only 0.03% after heating.
Researchers developed a novel approach to convert technical lignin into functional coatings using low-energy suspension plasma spraying (LE-SPS). The new technique eliminates the need for solvents, crosslinkers, or catalysts, and produces continuous and dense coatings with improved UV attenuation and anti-fogging behavior.
Researchers developed a cellulose-based aerogel inspired by white beetles' optical structure, achieving high solar reflectance and infrared emissivity through hierarchical photonic scattering networks. The material achieved daytime subambient cooling of up to 7.1 °C and reduced building energy consumption by 43.5% on average.
Researchers developed a cellulose/MXene sediment aerogel that combines EMI shielding, infrared stealth, and Joule heating within a single porous structure. The aerogel retained high porosity and specific surface area, enabling strong electromagnetic wave attenuation and thermal insulation.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive electronic 'skin' using tiny devices that can measure force applied over an area. This technology has the potential to improve prosthetic limbs and robotic manipulation, allowing robots to accurately track hand movements and grasp delicate objects.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new class of tunable biomaterials, known as granular aerogel scaffolds, to support tissue regeneration and vascularization in wound healing. The material offers improved cell infiltration and may help rapidly form new blood vessels and regenerate damaged tissue.
Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.
Researchers have designed a novel ceramic aerogel structure featuring a nanofibrous core framework and nanoporous sheath, resulting in enhanced mechanical flexibility with up to 80% compressive strain. The aerogel also demonstrates superior thermal superinsulation performance with a thermal conductivity of less than 24 mW·m−1·K−1.
Researchers have developed a novel silica aerogel that captures CO2 efficiently while providing excellent thermal insulation. The bifunctionalized hybrid silica aerogel can adsorb CO2 at low concentrations under humid conditions, making it suitable for various applications in carbon-neutral technology.
A novel approach uses a biomass-based carbon aerogel to efficiently treat oily water and sludge, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The material's photothermal conversion characteristics enable effective dehydration of oily pollutants.
Researchers have developed a multifunctional aerogel for efficient crude oil cleanup, exhibiting high compressive strength, hydrophobicity, and photothermal conversion. The aerogel's unique structure enables rapid absorption of viscous crude oil, addressing environmental concerns related to increasing oil spills.
Researchers developed a novel approach to enhance chitosan aerogels' mechanical properties by incorporating silk microfibers with different aspect ratios. The study showed significant improvements in compressive strength, deformation mechanisms, and liquid transportation capabilities.
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new environmentally-friendly mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel, which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste. The new mortar mix reduced heat loss by up to 55% while maintaining the required strength for masonry construction.
A team of scientists has developed an aerogel made from chitosan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose that addresses the dual challenge of tannery wastewater treatment and resource utilization. The aerogel demonstrates exceptional adsorption capacities for Cr(III), Al(III), and Zr(IV) ions, commonly found in tannery effluents.
The NUS team has developed aerogels that can provide cooling to buildings through radiative cooling, reducing energy consumption in tropical climates. The researchers also created aerogels that absorb electromagnetic waves, shielding humans and sensitive equipment from adverse effects.
Scientists developed a printable, bio-based aerogel using cellulose that is biocompatible, has high porosity, and excellent heat-insulating properties. Its anisotropy allows for controlled thermal conductivity and precise applications in medicine and microelectronics.
Researchers developed sensors using aerogels to detect formaldehyde, a common indoor air pollutant, with real-time detection capabilities. The sensors require minimal power and can distinguish between different gases.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed an aerogel material that can tune the transmission of terahertz signals between 13% and 91%, enabling various applications. The material's absorption property can be adjusted through a redox reaction, making it suitable for long-range signals from space or radar systems.
A new type of floatable photocatalytic platform composed of hydrogel nanocomposites efficiently proceeds hydrogen evolution reaction. The platform exhibits clear advantages over conventional systems, including efficient solar energy conversion and easy gas diffusion.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have developed natural-waste pads that absorb moisture and delay meat oxidation, favoring a more sustainable packaging option. The pads, made from chitosan, nanocellulose, and bay leaf essential oil, show promise in preserving fresh meat for up to 10 days.
Researchers from TIBI have developed an advanced electronic skin patch that provides simultaneous, continuous monitoring of multiple bodily parameters. The new E-skin patch offers enhanced flexibility, thermal cooling abilities, and fluid absorption over conventional substrates while demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and biodegr...
Researchers developed a nanofiber aerogel that promotes faster and more effective healing of diabetic wounds. The aerogel facilitates cell migration, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the wound bed, while incorporating an anti-microbial peptide prevents bacterial growth and promotes healing.
HKU researchers create ultra-strong aerogels by combining aramid nanofibers with polyvinyl alcohol, outperforming traditional aerogels in load-bearing structures. The new material has vast applicational values for diverse functional devices.
A new passive cooling system developed at MIT combines radiative, evaporative, and thermal insulation to provide up to 19 degrees Fahrenheit of cooling from ambient temperature. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and extend food storage in off-grid locations.
Researchers developed a wood-based insulating material that offers superior thermal performance to existing plastic-based materials. The new aerogel-integrated wood material is created without adding additional substances and has the potential to replace fossil-based aerogels for energy efficiency and sustainable development.
Researchers have designed a lightweight wood-based foam that reflects sunlight, emits absorbed heat, and is thermally insulating. The material could reduce buildings' cooling energy needs by an average of 35.4% depending on weather conditions, making it a promising solution for hot climates.
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.
A team of researchers at the University of Bath has developed a lightweight, meringue-like material made from graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol that can significantly reduce aircraft engine noise. This innovative aerogel could be used as insulation within aircraft engines to improve passenger comfort and fuel efficiency.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a simple chemical process to create light and highly absorbent aerogels that can take a beating. The aerogels, which are customizable in shape and size, showed superior remediation properties compared to traditional COF powders.
Researchers developed an aerogel for therapeutic use using a kitchen freezer and plant cellulose, demonstrating its potential for controlled release of medication and wound dressing. The material's density can be as low as 2kg per cubic meter, making it lightweight yet durable.
Researchers have discovered a new aerogel electrocatalyst formed from inexpensive metal alloys, enabling highly efficient electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide. The process achieves an efficiency of 93% with minimal byproducts.
Researchers have developed porous carbon aerogels for electrodes in ultralow-temperature supercapacitors, reducing heating needs for future space and polar missions. The new technology could enable NASA's Mars rovers to operate without heaters, improving efficiency and extending their lifespan.
Researchers at NUS have created a substance that extracts water from air without external power, producing up to 17 litres of water per day. The 'smart' aerogel autonomously gathers and condenses water molecules, meeting World Health Organization standards for drinking water.
A team of researchers at MIT and IIT developed a solar-powered system to generate pressurized steam for autoclaving medical tools. The system uses optically transparent aerogel to trap heat and can maintain safe sterilization conditions without electricity or fuel.
Researchers developed a portable solar-powered device that generates steam hot enough to sterilize medical instruments without relying on well-built infrastructure or electricity. The device's transparent aerogel insulates the system, reducing heat loss and increasing energy efficiency.
Researchers at MIT developed a two-layered material that provides extended cooling using evaporation, inspired by camel fur. The system can keep perishable goods fresh for up to eight days and has potential applications in food packaging and pharmaceutical storage.
Scientists have developed a bilayer passive cooling technology inspired by camel fur, which can keep objects cool for an extended period of time without electricity. The technology demonstrates that the design keeps products cool five times longer than conventional single-layer approaches.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully produced stable, well-shaped microstructures from silica aerogel using a 3D printer. The printed structures exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties, making them ideal for thermally insulating small electronic components and shie...
Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology create a composite of cellulose nanofibers and silver nanowires, achieving impressive shielding effectiveness. The resulting aerogel is incredibly light, flexible, and durable, with high shielding capabilities against electromagnetic radiation.
Researchers have developed a novel freeze-thaw method to create noble metal aerogels with high surface areas and self-healing properties. These aerogels exhibit impressive light-driven photoelectrocatalytic performance, outperforming commercial palladium-on-carbon catalysts.
Researchers at Linköping University have created a cheap and efficient steam generator that uses sunlight to desalinate and purify water. The system utilizes a cellulose-based aerogel structure that absorbs energy from sunlight, resulting in high-quality drinking water production.
Researchers from TU Dresden have developed novel noble metal aerogels that exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic properties, outperforming commercial platinum catalysts in a range of applications. These advanced materials show promise for efficient electrochemical hydrogen production, including green hydrogen and fuel cells.
Researchers created surface-clean noble metal aerogels with controlled ligand chemistry, revealing a new dimension for enhancing electrocatalysis performance. The intrinsic electrocatalytic properties of these clean gels were unveiled and found to be positively correlated with the oxidation state of metals.
Researchers from University of Sydney have developed a method to store electricity efficiently using durian and jackfruit waste. The fruits' biomass is converted into super-capacitors that can quickly charge electronic devices, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
A new system designed by MIT and Chilean researchers uses radiative cooling with an aerogel insulation layer to cool objects by up to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for electricity. The device blocks incoming sunlight while allowing infrared heat to radiate away into space, achieving significant cooling powers.
Silica aerogel could warm the Martian surface, increasing atmospheric pressure and temperatures similar to Earth's greenhouse effect. This regional approach to making Mars habitable offers a more achievable solution than global atmospheric modification.
A newly developed aerogel material can passively capture solar heat, reaching temperatures of up to 220°C in tests. This could enable lower-cost and simpler solar heat collection systems for various industrial and domestic uses.
Researchers created a synthetic insulator mimicking polar bear hair's structure, which traps heat and is lightweight and water-resistant. The new material has exceptional stretchiness, making it suitable for aerospace applications.
Researchers developed a simple method to fabricate superelastic hard carbon aerogels with nanofibrous network structure, exhibiting robust mechanical performances including super-elasticity, high strength, and low energy loss coefficient. The aerogel maintains super-elasticity in harsh conditions, such as liquid nitrogen.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a graphene sponge that acts as a free-standing electrode in lithium sulphur batteries, improving their energy density and cycle life. The new design achieves an 85% capacity retention after 350 cycles, reducing instability issues.
Plant cellulose-based aerogel implants have shown 33% more bone growth in rats at three weeks and 50% more at 12 weeks compared to controls. The innovation has the potential to fill a $2-billion market with economical raw materials and applications in dental and joint replacement surgeries.
Researchers have fabricated a film using DuPont Kevlar fibers and polyethylene glycol that absorbs heat and releases it slowly, making objects invisible to thermal cameras. The composite film performs comparably to other stealth films but is simpler and cheaper to make.
A UCLA-led team has developed a highly durable aerogel that can withstand intense heat and severe temperature changes, making it an ideal material for insulating spacecraft. The new ceramic aerogel is ultra-lightweight, flexible, and resistant to fire and corrosion.
Researchers developed a near-weightless material with exceptional structural stability and superinsulation, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. The unique ceramic aerogel features unusual double-negative-index properties, demonstrating robustness against high-temperature exposure and rapid temperature swings.
Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology developed a method to remove antibiotic residues from wastewater using metal-doped organic aerogels. The most effective material was found to be nickel-doped aerogel, which showed excellent adsorbent properties and photocatalytic degradation capabilities.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new class of highly elastic aerogels with adjustable network density, allowing for tailored porosity. These materials exhibit excellent thermal insulation, surpassing conventional materials like polyurethane foam, and can be bent, rolled, twisted, and cut into desired shapes.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce highly conductive electrode materials for supercapacitors sustainably using nanocellulose derived from wood pulp. The new method yields mechanically stable and porous three-dimensional networks with high electrical conductivity.
A team of international scientists has created a new form of highly-efficient, low-cost insulation based on the wings of a dragonfly. The material is ultralight and porous, with a piece weighing less than a kilogram, and can be replicated at an affordable cost.