liquid

Least-dense solid, according to Guinness World Records. Looks good too!



<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/05/09/record.gel/index.html" target="_blank">WoW!</a>

[Fix the URL...]

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Bill ]</p>

Hans

At .00011 pounds per cubic inch a block of that stuff the size of a 5,000 square foot home would weigh only 66 pounds. Pretty amazing.

Gooch's dad

Hans,

I can't figure out where you got that number.

A 1 inch thick piece of aerogel, 5000 square feet, with a density of .00011 lb/cubic inch, works out to weigh 79.2 lbs.

Yeah, pretty fluffy stuff! I'm skeptical about their claim that nothing can be made lighter. Or maybe they just mean that this type of aerogel can't be made any less dense.

I'm sure once we start manufacturing in zero g, we'll be able to make less dense structures. Then again, they might not hold up in 1 g enviroments either.

Hans

I goofed. I multiplied by 12 instead of 1,728 to convert cubic feet to cubic inches. Make that a big goof!!

10 ft x 5,000 ft x 1,728 x .00011 = 9,504 pounds.

That is a big difference from 66 pounds isn't it?

A block the rough size of a car is a better example:

6 ft x 8 ft x 10 ft x 1,728 x .00011 = 91.24 pounds.

liquid

I am pretty sure they are talking about that general category of aerogel under Earth conditions. The language is a bit fuzzy but its probably just blurred by being second or third hand.

Hans

I couldn't speculate as to whether a less dense solid could be produced. But I think what we need is a clear definition of when an object changes from being a solid to being a structure like a cardboard box or fiberglass insulation. I think with that definition, which I'm sure the folks at NASA are using, one could make a better speculation.

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Hans ]</p>