The project involves the synthesis and evaluation of titanium oxide-based materials, zeolites and aerogels. Synthesis involves the mixing and proper chemicals in the proper order, the formation of the appropriate chemical mixture under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, and the removal of the residual solvent. Evaluation includes the measurement of surface area after various pretreatments, the determination of surface chemistry via infrared techniques, and the testing of these materials for various chemical reactions.

At the end of this summer experience, teachers will be able to bring knowledge of new materials into classroom curriculum.

Aerogel QuickFacts

- It is 99.8% air

- Provides 39 times more insulating than the best fiberglass insulation

- Is 1,000 times less dense than glass

Aerogel Capabilities

Aerogel is not like conventional foams, but is a special porous material with extremely microporosity on a micron scale. It is composed of individual features only a few nanometers in size. These are linked in a highly porous dendritic-like structure.

This exotic substance has many unusual properties, such as low thermal conductivity, refractive index and sound speed - in addition to its exceptional ability to capture fast moving dust. Aerogel is made by high temperature and pressure-critical-point drying of a gel composed of colloidal silica structural units filled with solvents.