In space experiments onboard shuttles and in device Stardust flied to a comet, in martian роверах Mars Pathfinder, Spirit and Opportunity the surprising material - aerogel was applied. On 99,8 % it consists of air, and in a free space, accordingly, from vacuum that does not prevent to be to it strong enough.
      Aerogel (differently it still name the frozen or firm smoke) can be compared to the hardened soapsuds.       So small bubbles, that the eye refuses to distinguish these cells even under a microscope (diameter of times - 20 нанометров). So easy, that its density only in two time is more than density of air. And thus foam is strong enough. So on a decent piece of aerogel it is possible to put a brick easy.
     In devices which we have mentioned in the beginning, aerogel on the basis of silicon was used. But, basically, this gel can consist and of other substances. As though it is more correct for defining? It is usual liquid gel from which the liquid fraction is removed. To tell easily, but it is difficult to make. At removal of a liquid from gel its firm component, usually, collapses. It loses strong structure, changes the form, complex molecular networks broke " in ashes".

     To force microscopic "foam" to be kept at removal of a liquid filling it, very difficultly. But if to manage, the material with surprising properties will turn out.
     Density of modern aerogels from 0,35 up to 0,003 grams on cubic centimeter (density of air - 0,0012 grams on cubic centimeter).
     As a first approximation process of creation of aerogel looks so. First a number of chemical reactions for formation of damp gel is used. "Product" ripens, that is - полимеризуется, at times for 2-3 day. Something turns out like gelatinous jelly.
     Then from it by means of spirit water (its full removal - the keystone to success) leaves. Then in an autoclave at a high pressure and temperature so-called "supercritical" drying with participation of liquid carbonic gas is spent.

   Durability of aerogel on break - 16 kPa - is absolutely insignificant in comparison with constructional materials, however, repeatedly above, than, say, at a soapsuds to which it involuntarily is to be compared.
   "Foam" have recollected, when have conceived experiment Stardust.
   In January, 2004 this space vehicle NASA has passed through a tail of comet Wild 2.
   The huge trap from aerogel has appeared in the unique way, allowed to catch and softly to stop particles кометной a dust, flying by by the device with speed of 6 kilometers in a second.

   With any other substance they either would evaporate, or have collapsed so, that they could not be studied.
   By the way, the material created in JPL and used in this trap, has got in book Guines, as a firm body with the lowest density (3 milligrams on cubic centimeter).
   And still quartz aerogel maintains 500 degrees of Celsius and possesses extremely low heat conductivity. The 2,5-centimetric leaf from силиконового aerogel protects a hand of the person from fire of a blowtorch.
   Therefore aerogel willingly apply as теплоизоляцию. In the American mars rovers, anyway. As originally aerogels were rather fragile, but scientists have learned to make elastic and their flexible versions.
   That up to теплоизоляции at home is a business still of the future. But that is interesting, some researchers already study an opportunity of use of aerogel not only for warming walls, but also as replacement to a windowpane.
   In fact some samples of gel differ a high transparency (while others have easy bluish or yellowish to a smoke, that depends on the prevailing size of times).
   Thus at aerogel very low factor of refraction: somewhere in between 1 and 1,05. We shall remind, at a windowpane this parameter makes approximately 1,5.

   Version of aerogel is so-called " air glass " (Airglass) with density 0,05-0,2 grams on cubic centimeter. It is transparent enough, and though is not too strong, but on a heat-shielding repeatedly surpasses usual glass.
   In general, engineers and consider scientists, that in the near future aerogel can find tens scopes on the Earth. Here again space again helps. Experiences were spent to last years on shuttles on reception of aerogel in weightlessness.
   These experiments are necessary to find new methods of creation of aerogels with the set properties.
   It is necessary to tell, when those or other materials about aerogel appear in the Network, the impression is made, that one of the most surprising artificial materials is created recently. Well, maybe, several years ago. Meanwhile, the history of aerogel totals more than 70 years.
   The first aerogel was received by American scientist Semjuel Kistler (Samuel Kistler) somewhere in the end to 1920 or 1930 year. At this time it worked in Pacific college in Stockton (California).
   In history of opening of a supereasy material till now there were white spots. Therefore it is considered to be 1931 when Кистлер has published clause about the to work in magazine Nature official date of a birth of aerogel.
   By the way, a word aerogel attribute Klister, more likely, by tradition. And remains to unknown persons, whether it has thought up it, or someone from colleagues has taken advantage of the help.
   It is curious, that Кистлер was not going to create a new material. It was engaged in the analysis of fibers, and in its frameworks - crystallization of amino acids in the supercritical supersated liquids.
   So opening of aerogel has appeared for the scientist a by-product. However soon, and for many years forward, aerogel has undividedly captured its attention.

   Let's notice, the first aerogel have made of quartz, but subsequently people have learned to do aerogels from оксидов metals, organic substances, and many other things initial components.
   That is interesting, the Californian scientist involved not only a pure science, but also commerce. Under the license agreement with Кистлером, quartz aerogel (as супертеплоизолирующий a material) was made by serially known chemical company Monsanto. This manufacture has begun in 1940th years.
   Alas, that experience has not received a wide circulation, and the company has curtailed release of aerogels somewhere in 1970.
   Alas, that experience has not received a wide circulation, and itself New splash in interest to them has fallen to last years. In various laboratories NASA, other research organizations of the USA (Ливермор,) numerous new samples of aerogels (besides, first of all, from silicon) which showed advantages of this type of a material of XXI century even more brightly have started to create Berkeley.
   It not the clause. So often name aerogels, despite of 70-years age.
   Perhaps, they even deserve a title of materials of the future. If, certainly, become cheaper (proexhausted in laboratory installations, they cost about dollar for cubic centimeter).
   Let's recollect, once aerogel has not sustained a competition to other heaters because of the high price.