Issued patent
Durable Polyimide Aerogels
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed cutting-edge polyimide aerogel technologies that are 500 times stronger than traditional silica aerogels. These durable polyimide aerogels are highly flexible and foldable in contrast to traditional silica aerogels, which shed dust particles and are notoriously fragile and brittle. Polyimide aerogels possess remarkable strength, flexibility, and moisture resistance and make excellent "wrappable" insulators. No other aerogel possesses the compressive and tensile strength of this organic polyimide aerogel while still retaining its ability to be flexibly folded to contour to whatever shape is needed such as automotive shields, pipeline insulation, and protective clothing. Glenn's durable polyimide aerogels combine the robust nature of a polyimide network with low thermal and sound conductivity. This unique combination of strength, flexibility, and exceptional insulating properties make these aerogels ideal for insulation (thermal, electrical, and acoustic), structural elements and more - at a fraction of the weight of similar materials.