Chinese scientists create material six times lighter than air

Chinese scientists from Zhejiang University managed to create a carbon airgel has been described as "the world's lightest material" and that could play "an important role in the fight against pollution ", according to a study published in the prestigious journal Nature.

The density of the obtained product, said publication is only 0.16 milligrams per cubic centimeter, six times less than that of air, thanks to the replacement of the liquid by a gas component.
Gao Chao, who led the research team, explained that "the most important qualities of the new material are its ease of manufacture", lyophilized from solutions with moisture that got rid of the nanotubes and grapheme, preserving its integrity.

Despite its fragile appearance, the carbon airgel also has excellent elasticity and recovers when compressed, said Gao, who also highlighted the great oil absorption capacity of the airgel.


/AzerTAc/