Aerogels are the lightest solids known. Up to 1000 times lighter than glass and with a density as low as only four times that of air, they show very high thermal, electrical and acoustic insulation values and hold many entries in Guinness World Records. Originally based on silica, R&D efforts have extended this class of materials to non-silicate inorganic oxides, natural and synthetic organic polymers, carbon, metal and ceramic materials, etc. Composite systems involving polymer-crosslinked aerogels and interpenetrating hybrid networks have been developed and exhibit remarkable mechanical strength and flexibility. Even more exotic aerogels based on clays, chalcogenides, phosphides, quantum dots, and biopolymers such as chitosan are opening new applications for the construction, transportation, energy, defense and healthcare industries. Applications in electronics, chemistry, mechanics, engineering, energy production and storage, sensors, medicine, nanotechnology, military and aerospace, oil and gas recovery, thermal insulation and household uses are being developed with an estimated annual market growth rate of around 70% until 2015. The Aerogels Handbook summarizes state-of-the-art developments and processing of inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels, including the most important methods of synthesis, characterization as well as their typical applications and their possible market impact. Readers will find an exhaustive overview of all aerogel materials known today, their fabrication, upscaling aspects, physical and chemical properties, and most recent advances towards applications and commercial products, some of which are commercially available today. Key Features: •Edited and written by recognized worldwide leaders in the field •Appeals to a broad audience of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers in academic research and industrial R&D •Covers inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels •Describes military, aerospace, building industry, household, environmental, energy, and biomedical applications among others

This indispensable handbook provides comprehensive coverage of the current state-of-the-art in inorganic, organic, and composite aerogels – from synthesis and characterization to cutting-edge applications and their potential market impact. Built upon Springer’s successful Aerogels Handbook published in 2011, this handbook features extensive revisions and timely updates, reflecting the changes in this fast-growing field. Aerogels are the lightest solids known to man. Up to 1000 times lighter than glass and with a density only four times that of air, they possess extraordinarily high thermal, electrical, and acoustic insulation properties, and boast numerous entries in Guinness World Records. Originally based on silica, R&D efforts have extended this class of materials to incorporate non-silicate inorganic oxides, natural and synthetic organic polymers, carbon, metal, and ceramic materials. Composite systems involving polymer-crosslinked aerogels and interpenetrating hybrid networks have been developed and exhibit remarkable mechanical strength and flexibility. Even more exotic aerogels based on clays, chalcogenides, phosphides, quantum dots, and biopolymers such as chitosan are opening new applications for the construction, transportation, energy, defense and healthcare industries. Applications in electronics, chemistry, mechanics, engineering, energy production and storage, sensors, medicine, nanotechnology, military and aerospace, oil and gas recovery, thermal insulation, and household uses are being developed. Readers of this fully updated and expanded edition will find an exhaustive source for all aerogel materials known today, their fabrication, upscaling aspects, physical and chemical properties, and the most recent advances towards applications and commercial use. This key reference is essential reading for a combined audience of graduate students, academic researchers, and industry professionals.

Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation presents both contextual information aboutaerogels and details about their application in environmental remediation. A wide variety of aerogels are discussed, rangingfrom common to advanced and from natural to synthetic. By exploring ongoing research and developments in the environmentalremediation technologies using aerogel and its composites, this book addresses common day-to-day environmental problemsand presents solutions to the use of aerogel materials. The chapters discuss fabrication of various aerogel composites, alongwith their design and applications toward different environmental remediation technologies. Additionally, the properties andadvantages of aerogels are compared and contrasted to those of traditional materials. Given the consistent increase in environmental pollution, there is an urgent need to explore new materials for advances in remediationtechnology. Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation brings researchers and practitionersin the fields of environmental remediation, environmental science, and engineering to the forefront of remediation technologieswith a thorough breakdown of the benefits of and techniques relevant to aerogel composites. - Covers basic properties, unique properties, and fabrication techniques of aerogels, from basic silica aerogels topresent-day conventional aerogels - Discusses most of the major environmental remediation techniques and the advantages of using aerogels for theseremediation techniques in comparison to using traditional methods - Presents future prospects for utilizing aerogels in modern day-to-day life and in the fabrication of tangible new products

Biobased Aerogels is the first book to cover aerogel research from a green perspective, using commentary and analysis from leading researchers working in the field.

Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation presents both contextual information about aerogels and details about their application in environmental remediation. A wide variety of aerogels are discussed, ranging from common to advanced and from natural to synthetic. By exploring ongoing research and developments in the environmental remediation technologies using aerogel and its composites, this book addresses common day-to-day environmental problems and presents solutions to the use of aerogel materials. The chapters discuss fabrication of various aerogel composites, along with their design and applications toward different environmental remediation technologies. Additionally, the properties and advantages of aerogels are compared and contrasted to those of traditional materials. Given the consistent increase in environmental pollution, there is an urgent need to explore new materials for advances in remediation technology. Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation brings researchers and practitioners in the fields of environmental remediation, environmental science, and engineering to the forefront of remediation technologies with a thorough breakdown of the benefits of and techniques relevant to aerogel composites. Covers basic properties, unique properties, and fabrication techniques of aerogels, from basic silica aerogels to present-day conventional aerogels Discusses most of the major environmental remediation techniques and the advantages of using aerogels for these remediation techniques in comparison to using traditional methods Presents future prospects for utilizing aerogels in modern day-to-day life and in the fabrication of tangible new products

This book explores the improvement in thermal insulation properties of protein-based silica aerogel composites fabricated by a novel, inexpensive and feasible method. The resulting material exhibits polymeric foam behavior including high compressibility, super-hydrophobic qualities and excellent strain recovery in addition to low thermal conductivity. The fabrication methodologies are explained in great detail and represented in flowcharts for easy reference and understanding. This monograph gives readers a new perspective on composite fabrication using methods other than the traditional ones and explores the endless ways of altering the composition to modify the properties of the silica aerogel composites. Applications for this novel composite are diverse and range from those in the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries to the oil and gas industries.

Concise Encyclopedia of Composite Materials draws its material from the award-winning Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, and includes updates and revisions not available in the original set. This customized collection of articles provides a handy reference for materials scientists and engineers with an interest in composite materials made from polymers, metals, ceramics, carbon, biocomposites, nanocomposites, wood, cement, fibers, etc. - Brings together articles from the Encyclopedia of Materials: Science & Technology that focus on the essentials of composite materials, including recent updates - Every article has been commissioned and written by an internationally recognized expert and provides a concise overview of a particular aspect of the field - Enables rapid reference; extensive bibliographies, cross-referencing and indexes guide the user to the most relevant reading in the primary literature - Covers areas of active research, such as biomaterials and porous materials