The Elizabeth Foundation

21/04/2026

Dave Chappelle and Public Radio Station 91.3 WYSO

13/04/2026

Silica aerogel. Watch the video

Silica aerogel is the world's lightest solid, composed of over 95–99% air, offering unparalleled thermal insulation and extremely low density. Often called "frozen smoke," it is a nanoporous, hydrophobic material primarily used for high-performance insulation in aerospace, construction, and industrial applications due to its high heat resistance and low thermal conductivity.

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Key Properties and Characteristics

Insulation: It is an exceptional thermal insulator, with an R-value of up to R20 per inch, significantly outperforming traditional fiberglass (R3.5).

Structure: Composed of silica nanoparticles that form a porous network (about 97% air), which inhibits heat transfer through the Knudsen effect.

Density: Ultra-low density

Appearance: Often appears as a translucent, smoky blue color due to Rayleigh scattering.

Durability: While lightweight, monolithic silica aerogels can be fragile; however, composite forms (like blankets) are robust.

Applications
Aerospace: Used by NASA to insulate Mars rovers.

Construction: Employed as thermal insulation in buildings and windows.

Industrial: Used for high-temperature pipe insulation and to mitigate thermal bridging.

Environmental: Used in oil spill cleanup due to its oleophilic and hydrophobic nature.

Common Forms
Aerogel Blankets: Flexible, fiber-reinforced mats for easy handling and installation.

Aerogel Particles/Granulate: Used in fillers, coatings, and insulation renders.
Monoliths: Solid, rigid blocks typically used in scientific applications.

While traditionally expensive and brittle, modern manufacturing methods, including ambient pressure drying, have increased accessibility, say reports.

24/01/2026

A village in Wales endured a baffling mystery when its broadband cut out every morning at exactly 7 a.m. for 18 months.

After exhaustive investigations, engineers finally discovered the culprit: an elderly resident’s decades-old television, which unleashed a strong burst of electrical interference each time it was switched on—like clockwork—knocking out the internet for the entire neighborhood.

24/01/2026

It’s been one month since Australia introduced a social media ban for under 16s - the first of its kind in the world.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall says she's prepared to take action to ensure children and young people got "the benefits of tech without experiencing harm".

The government is considering an outright ban, robust age checks, feature restrictions, and phone-free schools.

Would any of that work?

Nicky Campbell asks: Should the UK ban social media for under 16s?

24/01/2026

Comet 3I Atlas interstellar object raises uncomfortable doubts about what is really passing through our solar system

On a cold March night, a handful of astronomers stared at their screens as a faint streak of light slid across the black. It didn’t look like much. Just

16/01/2026

A massive uncensored library has been built inside Minecraft, giving people in heavily censored countries access to banned articles, academic journals, and press-freedom resources.

Created by Reporters Without Borders, the project cleverly uses the game’s global popularity to create a space that’s difficult to block or censor, allowing information to be read and shared freely where traditional access is restricted.

01/01/2026

26/12/2025

In 2021, Swedish engineers achieved what many thought was impossible, forging steel using hydrogen instead of coal.

This wasn't just a lab experiment; the revolutionary 'green steel' was delivered to the Volvo Group to build the world's first vehicle of its kind.

23/12/2025

This is London at its best

London taxi drivers volunteered their own time to turn their cabs into festive mini wonderlands, giving seriously ill children and their families from Great Ormond Street Hospital a magical night out.

Decorated with lights, tinsel, music, and Santa hats, the taxis cruised through iconic streets like Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus, offering joy, laughter, and unforgettable Christmas memories to families who needed a moment of light the most.

07/10/2025

Explaining the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine