The airgel, also called solid smoke and discovered in 1931, eventually became the world's lightest materials. Since air is composed by 96%, it is easy to see why it is extremely light.
Last year, the aerografito took first place thanks to its density of only 0.18 mg/cm3. It was very well received and acclaimed but his reign was short lived, as in these days, the graphene airgel became lighter material world.
A team of scientists from Zhejiang University has taken credit for the discovery of this substance, which is made from coal "lyophilized" ie, freezing and drying. Graphene Aerogel is the name we have given to the new material, having a density of only 0.16 mg/cm3.
What most excites scientists not be the lighter material of history, but its spongy nature, allowing it to absorb about 900 times its own weight in oil and water.
Currently the research team is looking for new uses for the substance.
