Process for Preparing Aerogels from Polyamides

Sometimes referred to as “solid smoke,” aerogels are the world’s lightest solid materials, composed of approximately 85% air by volume. Polyamide aerogels open up a whole new world of applications due to their unique properties: translucent like silica aerogels, thermoplastic, ultra-low density, superior mechanical properties, low-temperature operating range, and highly flexible (as compared to NASA Glenn’s polyimide aerogels). Polyamide aerogels are further novel because of their tunable glass transition temperatures, meaning that crystallinity — and hence strength — can be controlled via operating temperature. Addressing the key drawbacks of aerogel technology (hydroscopicity, fragility, cost), NASA Glenn’s suite of organic aerogels is cost-competitive with both existing silica aerogels and, with scale-up, high-end foamed polymer insulation. Finally, Glenn’s materials are truly multi-functional — they can be structural members while providing superior thermal properties and extremely low dielectric (near that of air).