Aerogel Applications

Aerogel materials possess a wide variety of exceptional properties, hence a striking number of applications have developed for them. Many of the commercial applications of aerogels such as catalysts, thermal insulation, windows, and particle detectors are under development and new applications have been publicized since the ISA4 Conference in 1994: e.g., supercapacitors, insulation for heat storage in automobiles, electrodes for capacitive deionization, etc. More applications are evolving as the scientific and engineering community becomes familiar with the unusual and exceptional physical properties of aerogels. In addition to growing commercial applications of aerogels, there are also scientific and technical applications, as well. This paper discusses a variety of technical applications of aerogels. It reports current technical applications under development for which several types of aerogels are formed in custom sizes and shapes.