Aerogel Poster 2 from www.zerogaerogel.com

1
HOW AEROGEL IS PRODUCED
Aerogel Starts Out Like Gelatin
Before anything else, aerogel starts out as a
gelatin-like gel of silica and alcohol. This gel
is free-standing like gelatin dessert and will
shrink if allowed to dry by evaporation.
Evaporation vs. Supercritical Drying
Aerogel
Supercritical Drying
Gel Before it is Dried
Evaporation
Glass Chunks
Aerogel is made by supercritically drying a gel.
Supercritical drying is done by bringing the gel
past a certain temperature and pressure to take
the liquid out of the gel without causing it to
shrink. The remaining solid is aerogel.