Scientists produce ‘world’s lightest material’: “Carbon aerogel”

Scientists produce ‘world’s lightest material’: “Carbon aerogel”

May 22nd, 2013

Scientists from Zhejiang University in China have claimed to have produced an ultra-light substance, called Carbon Aerogel which has a density of 0.16 milligrams per cubic centimetre.
What is the composition of the substance?

• Carbon aerogel which is also being claimed as lightest man-made material ever produced is composed of granite and carbon nanotubes, can absorb up to 900 times its own body weight.

What is its significance?

• The substance is akin to carbon sponge in structure. Owing to its great absorbing capacity it could provide solutions to problems such as pollution control and cleaning up oil spills.