Aerogel.org » Podcasts

How to Make Silica Aerogel: Part 2 (#8)

Stephen Steiner — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:43:06 +0000

The second in our two-part series focused on the actual process, that is, the art, of making silica aerogels. This episode covers how to prepare gels for supercritical drying, how to perform solvent exchanges with organic solvents and liquid carbon dioxide, and, last but not least, supercritical drying. The conversation is geared towards using a supercritical dryer like the one presented under the Make section here on Aerogel.org, however applies to any suitable supercritical dryer. If you’re already making aerogels and having trouble with cloudiness or cracking, we think you’ll find this episode particularly helpful.

Podcast #8 - How to Make Silica Aerogel: Part 2

[Duration 65:33, 30.0 MB, Recorded March 5, 2010]

Ultrastrong Aerogels That Don’t Break and Metal Aerogels: Prof. Nicholas Leventis (#7)

Stephen Steiner — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:36:44 +0000

Prof. Nicholas Leventis, Curators’ Professor of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, rocked the aerogel world in 2002 with the announcement that he had achieved one of the holy grails of aerogel science–a method for making aerogels that aren’t brittle. In fact, aerogels produced through this technique are so sturdy they are flexible and exhibit the same strength-to-weight ratio as aerospace-grade carbon fiber composites.

Then again, in 2008, Leventis took the aerogel world by surprise by announcing the discovery of iron aerogel, the first metal aerogel ever synthesized through sol-gel chemistry.

In this fourth installment of our continuing series “The People Who Reinvented Aerogel”, Prof. Leventis tells us about the discovery of what are now called x-aerogels, how they’re made, and why they are so strong. Prof. Leventis also gives a preview of the new metal aerogel materials under development in his laboratory.

Prof. Leventis on where he gets his ideas from:

“Curiosity.”

Podcast #7 - Ultrastrong Aerogels That Don’t Break and Metal Aerogels: Nicholas Leventis

[Duration 16:04, 11.0 MB, Recorded October 17, 2008]

Quantum Dot Aerogels and Working Outside of the Box: Prof. Stephanie Brock (#6)

Stephen Steiner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:26:51 +0000

In this third installment of our continuing series “The People Who Reinvented Aerogel”, Prof. Stephanie Brock discusses the exciting world of aerogels made from quantum dots, how these strange new materials could revolutionize solar cells, catalysts, and production of hydrogen from water and sunlight, the value of coming to science from a different perspective, and the importance of working outside “the box”.

Prof. Brock on energy and the potential of aerogels:

“…I think [energy] is really the defining issue of our time, and I think it’s something that we should all really be thinking about. The bottom line is that we have all the capabilities. We can do all of this. We already know how to do all of this. We’ve known how to split water for a long time. What we don’t know how to do is do it economically. We don’t know how to do it efficiently. And we’re not going to figure out how to do that unless we do research on it.”

On the value of doing fundamental research:

“We have the ingenuity and the know-how to answer fundamental questions that I believe will lead to really good products.”

On why many chemists have traditionally disliked disordered materials like aerogels:

“You have to give up some of what you’re willing to know about in order to access the possibilities.”

On newcomers to aerogels:

“I say go for it… When I was young I was always afraid of making mistakes and doing the wrong thing, and now what I say is, [making mistakes] is great–try it, don’t be afraid–give things a chance. If you think these aerogels are interesting, don’t be afraid to follow what’s on the webpage. Don’t be afraid to call up some of the people who are interviewed and ask them questions… they’re not going to hang up on you.”

Podcast #6 - Quantum Dot Aerogels and Working Outside of the Box: Prof. Stephanie Brock

[Duration 43:27, 19.89 MB, Recorded October 16, 2008]

How to Make Silica Aerogel: Part 1 (#5)

Stephen Steiner — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:11:28 +0000

The first in a two-part series focused on the actual process, that is, the art, of making silica aerogels–namely, lab setup, safety measures, mixing of chemicals, gel processing, and, last but not least, supercritical drying. This first episode covers everything up until supercritical drying. For those without a traditional laboratory workspace, we think you’ll find this series particularly helpful.

Special thanks to Michael Grogan from the University of Bath for his contribution of the recipe used in this series!

Podcast #5 - How to Make Silica Aerogel: Part 1

Colorful and Explosive Aerogels: Dr. Alex Gash (#4)

Stephen Steiner — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:53:11 +0000

In this second installment of our continuing series “The People Who Reinvented Aerogel”, Dr. Alex Gash from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory talks about the “Gash prep”, that is, the epoxide-assisted gelation of metal oxides. From colorful transition metal oxide aerogels including rust-colored iron oxide aerogels and canary-yellow samarium oxide aerogels to explosive aerogels made of thermite, learn how this exciting technology has expanded the range of possible aerogel compositions to the rest of the periodic table.

“Years ago people thought [aerogel] was an area that was, I wouldn’t say dead-ended but where a lot of things had been figured out. I disagree with that completely. There is a lot still to be learned here. There’s definitely going to be a future for these materials. It’s an exciting field. I encourage people to get into it.” - Dr. Alex Gash

Podcast #4 - Colorful and Explosive Aerogels: Dr. Alex Gash

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Inspired by Aerogel, Off to Change the World: Alex Capecelatro (#3)

Stephen Steiner — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:48:39 +0000

As a high school student, Alex Capecelatro became intrigued by aerogel. A type 1 diabetic, Alex saw an opportunity for using aerogel to create a passive thermal insulin storage bottle that would help people with limited access to refrigeration manage their diabetes. After successfully prototyping his idea, Alex proceeded to work with some of the world’s top aerogel scientists and, in the process, launched into the world of materials science.

Now a senior at the University of California at Los Angeles, Alex talks about his journeys in building a supercritical dryer, exploring strange new materials, and of ventures yet to come.

“There are absolutely no limits to what you can do. In the beginning I was told ‘no’ by more people than I care to remember. I wanted to go and get some experience in a research lab in high school. I was told by ‘no’ by so many professors. I wanted to go and make an aerogel and I was told ‘no’ by so many people… so my advice to you is to seek out those people that will inspire you and motivate you… there is no limit.”
- Alex Capecelatro

Podcast #3: Inspired by Aerogel, Off to Change the World: Alex Capecelatro (#3)

Chasing Comets–Peter Tsou Tells the Story of Stardust (#2)

Stephen Steiner — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:47:45 +0000

In this podcast, Aerogel.org co-founder Stephen Steiner sits down with Dr. Peter Tsou from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dr. Tsou is the principle investigator for the Stardust probe–the spacecraft that successfully captured and returned comet dust to Earth using a unique particle capture system comprised of tiles of silica aerogel.

From the origins of the solar system to lessons on making extraordinary things possible, Dr. Tsou tells us the story of Stardust.

Podcast #2: Chasing Comets–Peter Tsou Tells the Story of Stardust (#2)

Welcome to Aerogel.org (#1)

Stephen Steiner — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:49:19 +0000

Aerogel.org co-founders Stephen Steiner and Will Walker discuss open source aerogel, Aerogel.org, and what’s coming up on The Critical Point.

Podcast #1: Welcome to Aerogel.org