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

2. 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

3. Properties
 Extremely low
density
 Very good thermal
insulator
 High specific
surface area
 Lowest dielectric
constant
http://www.aerogel.org/?p=891&px=%2FClassic+Aerogel+Photos%2Ftheflower-lbl.jpg

4. 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

5. What are its properties?
 High specific
surface area (100-
500m2
/g)
 Electrically
conductive!
 Enhanced
catalytic activity
 Surprisingly
capable thermal
insulator
http://www.aerogel.org/wp-content/uploads/cache/d07f9ffdc3be0bf80ec6052422ce9771.jpg

6. How is metal
aerogel
made?
• Combustion
synthesis
• Dealloying
• Nanosmelting
http://www.aerogel.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fenanofoamproduction-lanl1.jpg

7. Applications
• Hydrogen
storage
• Antimicrobial
scaffolds
• Magnetic
media
• X-Ray optics
http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/honda-fcx-clarity.jpg

8. References
 “Metal Aerogels.” 02 Nov 2010 <http://
www.aerogel.org/?p=932>
 “What is Aerogel?” 11 Nov 2010 <http://
www.aerogel.org/?p=3