Made in China, a material that's lighter than air

[nrj]

Chinese scientists have developed the world's lightest substance - it is so light that a mug-size of it wouldn't even bend a blade of grass.

Developed by scientists at Zhejiang University, carbon aerogel has a density of 0.16 mg/cubic centimetre - one-sixth of that of air.
Aerogel is a material produced with semi-solid gel dried and solvent removed. It appears in a solid state with many internal pores filled with air, and thus it's of minimal density.

The research team led by Professor Gao Chao freeze-dried solutions of carbon nanotubes and graphene to remove moisture and retain integrity.

Carbon aerogel is also a "super sponge" - one of the materials with biggest oil absorption capacity. The feather-light gel can absorb up to 900 times its weight.

"Carbon aerogel is expected to play an important role in pollution control, for oil spills, water and even air purification," Gao Chao said.

The study was published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Made in China, a material that's lighter than air - Hindustan Times

 

[arnabmit]

Good. China can if it wants to. Then why all the piracy?

Chinese scientists have developed the world's lightest substance - it is so light that a mug-size of it wouldn't even bend a blade of grass.

Developed by scientists at Zhejiang University, carbon aerogel has a density of 0.16 mg/cubic centimetre - one-sixth of that of air.
Aerogel is a material produced with semi-solid gel dried and solvent removed. It appears in a solid state with many internal pores filled with air, and thus it's of minimal density.

The research team led by Professor Gao Chao freeze-dried solutions of carbon nanotubes and graphene to remove moisture and retain integrity.

Carbon aerogel is also a "super sponge" - one of the materials with biggest oil absorption capacity. The feather-light gel can absorb up to 900 times its weight.

"Carbon aerogel is expected to play an important role in pollution control, for oil spills, water and even air purification," Gao Chao said.

The study was published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Made in China, a material that's lighter than air - Hindustan Times

 

[Armand2REP]

Believe it when we see it sucking up the worlds oil spills.

 

[drkrn]

how come china achieve this much in modern sciences while India is not at all focusing on research.what a pity on our govt policies

 

[Yusuf]

For a moment I thought it was the RMB!! They keep it so "light" to push exports!!

 

[CCTV]

For a moment I thought it was the RMB!! They keep it so "light" to push exports!!

Indian and other countries should do the same.

 

[Armand2REP]

Lets get a few things clear. Aerogel has been in existence since 1931. Carbon Aerogel since 1962 so there is nothing new here. China claims they reinvented something that is lighter than currently known... note that is "claimed." No one has verified it.

 

[Ray]

Really a fantastic discovery!

Good show, China!

 

[amoy]

Lets get a few things clear. Aerogel has been in existence since 1931. Carbon Aerogel since 1962 so there is nothing new here. China claims they reinvented something that is lighter than currently known... note that is "claimed." No one has verified it.

Not NEW then. Will this "reinvention" (also mastering the technology) facilitate replacement for import, or broader utilization of the material?