View Full Version : Interesting insulating material
Casey & Gina
11-06-2015, 15:25
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel - it appears to have a rather insane amount of insulating ability.
A company is putting it into a jacket:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1338531979/lukla-endeavour-outerwear-for-the-21st-century-adv/description
How about using it to make a sleeping mat?
Too good to be true?
dzierzak
11-06-2015, 15:31
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/57443-aerogel-products-anyone-used-it
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/61206-Aerogel-Applications
https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/36616-Food-for-thought-Aerogel-Quilts!
Just for starters. It's been around a while...
colorado_rob
11-06-2015, 15:41
Couple thoughts, having looked into this last time it was discussed.
There have been some discussions on durability in a dynamic environment, like in use as a garment, sleeping bag, etc. Down is extremely resilent, not so sure about Aerogel. Aerogel is a wonder material for a static situation, like building insulation, spacecraft, whatever.
Take a jacket like the Mont Bell down sweater... the total weight of the down is something like 2 ounces. It's the fabric that weighs the most in these jackets. If you used Aerogel and saved half the weight of the insulation, you'd save maybe an ounce. Given that down lasts virtually forever, are you sure you'd want an Aerogel insulated jacket to save an ounce or two?
We'll see. Maybe like you say there might be an application for a sleeping pad.
Feral Bill
11-06-2015, 16:43
I have winter boots with this stuff. The -40 rating is grossly exaggerated. They are light, but be wary of all "miracle" claims.
In the first link posted by dzierzak you will find that AeroGel has been the next best thing since 1931 .
You will also find I link I posted to some clothing "coming out" in 2010.
Where are those clothing ?
Note that Pacific Outdoor, maker of some mats with Aerogel in them has gone out of business and the brand that took over their line up has apparently disappeared too.
No one else has used Aero Gel for mats , that I know of.
Just Bill
11-06-2015, 17:12
:welcometo the Aerogel dead end...:mad:
One more material to cross of the list.
I see that there is a new and very different type of AeroGel now, discovered by NASA (!)
http://www.gizmag.com/polymer-aerogel-stronger-flexible-nasa/23955/
this new type is made from polymers and not silica like the previous versions.
Apparently very expensive now but who knows it could be affordable in 5 or 10 years time.