Aerogel is a fascinating material that has been gaining popularity over the years. It is a highly porous substance that is made up of 99.8% air and has some remarkable properties. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of aerogel, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Aerogel is a synthetic material that is derived from a gel. It is created by removing the liquid component of the gel through a process called supercritical drying. This process leaves behind a solid material that is highly porous and has a low density.
Origin
Aerogel was first created in 1931 by Samuel Kistler, a chemist at the College of the Pacific in California. He discovered that by replacing the liquid component of a gel with gas, he could create a solid material that was incredibly light and had remarkable insulating properties.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, aerogel is defined as “a highly porous solid formed by replacement of the liquid in a gel with a gas, typically by supercritical drying.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines aerogel as “an extremely light and porous solid material, consisting of a network of interconnected particles, with a density of less than 0.1 g/cm³.”
Associations
Aerogel is often associated with its remarkable insulating properties, as well as its use in space exploration. It is also used in a variety of other applications, including in the construction industry, as a component in energy-efficient windows, and in the production of supercapacitors.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for aerogel include:
- Solid smoke.
- Frozen smoke.
- Blue smoke.
- Space foam.
- Superinsulator.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for aerogel, as it is a unique material with no direct opposite. However, some materials that are opposite in properties to aerogel include:
- Lead.
- Concrete.
- Steel.
- Glass.
The same root words
Aerogel is derived from the Greek words “aero” meaning air and “gel” meaning jelly. Other words that share the same root words as aerogel include:
- Aerodynamics.
- Aeroplane.
- Aerostat.
- Gelatin.
Example Sentences
- The insulation in my house is made from aerogel, which keeps my energy bills low.
- NASA used aerogel to collect dust particles from a comet during a space mission.
- The new energy-efficient windows are made with aerogel, which helps to keep the heat inside during the winter.
- The supercapacitor in my electric car is made with aerogel, which allows it to charge quickly and hold a lot of energy.
- The aerodynamics of the new airplane design were tested in a wind tunnel to ensure maximum efficiency.