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Spinoff story
Space-Age Insulator Evolves to Replace Plastic and Save Weight
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
When aerogels, the world’s lightest solids, were first invented, they were incredibly brittle and nobody had much use for them. Nearly a century later, the material could become as ubiquitous as plastic, says the founder of Boston-based Aerogel Technologies. NASA has discovered ways to make different aerogels stronger, flexible, and able to withstand high heat, among a range of other properties. Now, after in-house R&D and licensing patents from Glenn Research Center, Aerogel Technologies is selling the material to a variety of industries, including airplane and car manufacturers.