aerogel

noun

aero·​gel ˈer-ō-ˌjel How to pronounce aerogel (audio)
plural aerogels
: a light, highly porous solid formed by replacement of liquid in a gel (see gel entry 1 sense 1) with a gas so that the resulting solid is the same size as the original
By extracting the fluid from a wet gel under pressure and at a high temperature he was able to produce extremely light materials with porosities as high as 98 percent. Kistler called the solids aerogels.Jochen Fricke
Silica aerogel is so light that engineers sometimes call it "solid smoke." This low weight combined with excellent sound, thermal and electrical insulating properties would make aerogel ideal for a host of consumer products, were it not so expensive to produce.Popular Mechanics

Examples of aerogel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Putting aerogel into a foam overcomes some of the production challenges of the material. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2024 One recent study proposed that Mars colonists could spread aerogel, an ultralight solid material, on the ground. Sven Bilén, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2024 In 1971, Carl Sagan suggested vaporizing the northern polar ice caps, while Harvard researchers argued in 2017 that large amounts of silica aerogel could trap enough heat to regionally instigate greenhouse warming conditions. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Aug. 2024 This could be done all over Mars, including the polar ice caps, where the aerogel could melt the existing ice to make liquid water. Sven Bilén, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2024 In addition to its featherlight nature, aerogel also exhibits antistatic properties and demonstrates excellent moisture management capabilities. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 July 2024 As a result, the temperature inside the aerogel increases, and the salty solution starts releasing water vapor, re-forming the original salt. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023 In addition, our aerogel could serve as an electrode that has a more regular density of current, eliminating hotspots. Debbie G. Senesky, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 Because of carbon’s ability to quickly absorb sunlight and turn it into heat energy, the aerogel is able to release water quickly. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerogel was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near aerogel

Cite this Entry

“Aerogel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerogel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

aerogel

noun
aero·​gel
ˈer-ō-ˌjel
: a light highly porous solid formed by replacement of liquid in a gel with a gas so that the resulting solid is the same size as the original

Medical Definition

aerogel

noun
: a highly porous solid formed by replacement of liquid in a gel with a gas so that there is little shrinkage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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