In this activity students investigate the new material silica Aerogel through a guided Inquiry learning approach that inspires them to learn about Advanced Materials from different disciplines: mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering.
Students experiment with a new synthetic (human-made) material called Aerogel. Aerogel commonly called “frozen smoke,” is a super-material with some amazing properties! In a simple and fun way, students learn about density, the material effects of surface area. Furthermore, students learn about basic heat transfer and how aerogel is a great thermal insulator. Students also learn about a wide array of Aerogel applications, such as hydrophobic properties and applications for self cleaning surfaces!
Why scientists made the amazing material called Aerogel?
Module 1: What is nano? How small is nano?
Module 2: Is there any connection between the size and surface area of objects?
Module 3: Introducing Aerogel
Module 4: Thermal Insulator- Superinsulation
Module 5: Superhydrophobic/Self-cleaning surface