Waste wool fibers enable cheaper, stronger silica aerogels for insulation
By
Prachi Patel
Summary
Researchers have developed a sustainable method to create silica aerogels by incorporating waste wool fibers (keratin) into the silica matrix. The resulting silica-keratin fiber composite aerogels are strong, superinsulating, and cheaper to produce than traditional silica aerogels, offering a promising eco-friendly alternative for applications like electric vehicle battery insulation and industrial thermal management.
Source
bskyWaste wool fibers enable cheaper, stronger silica aerogels for insulationcen.acs.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledSilica aerogels are among the lightest and most-insulating materials in the world.
Made of ultraporous 3D networks of silica nanoparticles, they are mostly air.
This airiness helps aerogels block heat flow from electric vehicle batteries and industrial applications.
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