aero·gel
| \ ˈer-ō-ˌjel
\
\
plural aerogels
Definition of aerogel
: a light, highly porous solid formed by replacement of liquid in a gel (see gel entry 1 sense 1) with a gas so that the resulting solid is the same size as the original
By extracting the fluid from a wet gel under pressure and at a high temperature he was able to produce extremely light materials with porosities as high as 98 percent. Kistler called the solids aerogels.— Jochen Fricke Silica aerogel is so light that engineers sometimes call it "solid smoke." This low weight combined with excellent sound, thermal and electrical insulating properties would make aerogel ideal for a host of consumer products, were it not so expensive to produce. — Popular Mechanics
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about aerogel
Dictionary Entries near aerogel
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for aerogel
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Aerogel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerogel. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for aerogel
aerogel
noun
aero·gel
| \ ˈa(-ə)r-ō-ˌjel, ˈe(-ə)r-
\
\
Medical Definition of aerogel
: a highly porous solid formed by replacement of liquid in a gel with a gas so that there is little shrinkage
Comments on aerogel
What made you want to look up aerogel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
The Exceptions Quiz III
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share aerogel
Time Traveler for aerogel
The first known use of aerogel was in 1923
See more words from the same year