Recently, there have been frequent good news in the aerogel field. The release of multiple innovative patents has injected new impetus into the development of this industry, highlighting the crucial role of technological innovation in promoting the progress of materials science.
According to data from the National Intellectual Property Administration, Sinopec has applied for a patent titled "Polymer Aerogel and Preparation Method of Polymer Aerogel Using Waste Plastics" (Publication No. CN 119859309 A). This invention focuses on the resource utilization of solid waste plastics. By using cellulose aerogel as a skeleton to prepare polymer aerogels, it significantly increases their specific surface area, opening up a new path for the recycling of waste plastics. It is expected to alleviate the problem of plastic pollution and achieve efficient resource conversion.
At the same time, the patent "Preparation Method of Hydrophobic Aerogel, Composite Material and Preparation Method, and Battery Device" applied for by Gongyi Fanrui Yihui Composite Material Co., Ltd. (Publication No. CN 119859310 A) is also eye-catching. This method directly uses the precursor hydrolysate, simplifies the operation process, reduces the consumption of hydrophobic agents, and improves environmental benefits while reducing costs. Especially in fields such as battery devices where material performance and cost are sensitive, it has great application potential.
In the aerospace field, engineers from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) have successfully developed a new type of antenna that can be embedded in the aircraft's outer shell using aerogels. This antenna is made of a flexible polymer containing 95% air, which has both lightweight and high-strength characteristics. It can conform to the curves of the aircraft, reducing flight resistance, saving space, and reducing signal interference. In the summer of 2024, the rigid version of the antenna has completed flight tests, and the flexible version will also be tested later this year. This technology was developed jointly by NASA, the US Navy, Eutelsat and other companies, and is expected to revolutionize the communication technology of drones and future air transportation, solving the weight and aerodynamic problems of traditional antennas.
Domestic universities have also made remarkable progress in aerogel research. The Device Performance Characterization Laboratory of Hubei University has successfully transformed waste tires into functional aerogels. The team modified rubber powder through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and polyether (F127), and combined with vacuum freeze-drying and other technologies to prepare aerogels with excellent compressibility, thermal insulation, and hydrophobicity. This achievement not only solves the pollution problem of waste tires but also provides an innovative solution for the recycling of rubber resources, which is in line with the current concept of green development and has been highly recognized by the industry.
In addition, the patent "A Nano-Cellulose Aerogel and Its Preparation Method and Application" applied for by China Building Materials Academy Co., Ltd. (Publication No. CN119798767A) is committed to developing nano-cellulose aerogels that are lightweight, biodegradable, and highly hydrophobic, and are expected to play an important role in the application of building insulation layers. The patent "A Ceramic-Based Aerogel and Preparation Method" jointly applied for by Anyitaoji New Material Technology (Zibo) Co., Ltd. and Anyitaoji Composite Material (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. (Publication No. CN119841615A) enables the ceramic-based aerogel to have good heat absorption and fireproof and heat insulation properties, and has excellent performance in both high and low-temperature fields.
The continuous exploration of numerous research teams and enterprises in the aerogel field, from the innovation of preparation methods to performance optimization, and then to the expansion of application boundaries, has comprehensively promoted the technological upgrading of aerogels. With the gradual implementation and industrialization of these patented technologies, aerogels are expected to trigger transformations in multiple fields such as energy, environmental protection, construction, and aerospace, contributing to global sustainable development.