Frozen Smoke in 3-D
BERKELEY, Calif., August 1, 2008 – For the first time, scientists have discovered a way to perform high-resolution x-ray diffraction imaging of an aerogel. Sometimes referred to as “frozen smoke,” aerogels are solid nanoscale foams with a sponge-like structures that are riddled by nanoscale-sized pores.
An efficient insulator, aerogels are surprisingly strong given their low density. Many porous materials are extraordinary for their properties as insulators, filters, and catalysts; they are used to produce clean fuels, to...