Metal Aerogels

James Anderson Philip Domondon Nick Catelani Fall 2010 Engineering 45 SRJC December 1, 2010

What is Aerogel?

Is essentially the solid framework of a gel A class of porous, solid materials that exhibit extreme material properties

http://winarco.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/aerogel-grass.jpg

Properties
Extremely

density Very good thermal insulator High specific surface area Lowest dielectric constant

low

http://www.aerogel.org/?p=891&px=%2FClassic+Aerogel+Photos%2Ftheflower-lbl.jpg

Introducing Metal Aerogels!

Inorganic cousins of the more common Silica Aerogel Until very recently, Metal Aerogels did not exist!

http://www.aerogel.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fenanofoam-lanl.jpg

What are its properties?

High

specific surface area (100500m2/g) Electrically conductive! Enhanced catalytic activity Surprisingly capable thermal insulator
http://www.aerogel.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/d07f9ffdc3be0bf80ec6052422ce9771.jpg

How is metal aerogel made?

Combustion synthesis Dealloying Nanosmelting

http://www.aerogel.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fenanofoamproduction-lanl1.jpg

Applications

Hydrogen storage Antimicrobial scaffolds Magnetic media X-Ray optics

http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/honda-fcx-clarity.jpg

References
Metal

Aerogels. 02 Nov 2010 <http:// www.aerogel.org/?p=932>

What

is Aerogel? 11 Nov 2010 <http:// www.aerogel.org/?p=3