World's lightest material developed by ISRO scientists is: Silica Aerogel
Explanation:
Silica Aerogel is the name of the world's lightest material developed by ISRO scientists. Here is a detailed explanation about Silica Aerogel:
- What is Silica Aerogel?
- Silica Aerogel is a synthetic porous material derived from silicon dioxide (SiO2).
- It is also known as "frozen smoke" or "solid smoke" due to its translucent appearance.
- It is extremely lightweight and has a low density, making it one of the lightest materials known to date.
- Properties of Silica Aerogel:
- Ultra-Low Density: Silica Aerogel has a density ranging from 0.0011 to 0.03 g/cm³, which makes it lighter than air.
- Excellent Insulator: It has exceptional thermal insulation properties, with a thermal conductivity of around 0.03 W/mK.
- High Porosity: Silica Aerogel is composed of a highly porous structure, with up to 99.8% of its volume being empty space.
- Translucent Appearance: It appears translucent or semi-transparent, allowing light to pass through.
- Applications of Silica Aerogel:
- Insulation: Silica Aerogel is widely used as an insulating material in various industries, including aerospace, construction, and electronics.
- Energy Efficiency: It helps in reducing heat loss, making it valuable for energy-efficient applications.
- Thermal Protection: Silica Aerogel is used in thermal protection systems for spacecraft and spacesuits, providing insulation from extreme temperatures.
- Environmental Remediation: It can be used for oil spill cleanup, as it has a high absorption capacity for hydrocarbons.
- Soundproofing: Silica Aerogel can also be used as a soundproofing material due to its low density and high porosity.
In conclusion, Silica Aerogel developed by ISRO scientists is the world's lightest material known for its ultra-low density, excellent insulation properties, and various applications in different industries.