Aerogel: The “invisible guardian” of future life, unlocking the innovative power in ten key fields.

I. Transportation: Dual Innovation in Safety and Efficiency

In the field of new energy electric vehicles, aerogel is the "ultimate solution" for battery thermal management. Its thermal conductivity is as low as 0.018 W/m・K, ensuring the stable operation of lithium batteries within a wide temperature range of -20°C to 60°C, greatly reducing the risk of thermal runaway and prolonging battery life. For example, the use of aerogel insulation sheets in power battery packs can increase the heat isolation efficiency between individual batteries by 80% and reduce the body weight at the same time, helping to break through the bottleneck of cruising range.

In addition, in scenarios such as the roof of multiple unit trains and the bulkhead of ships, aerogel composite materials can not only block high temperatures and noise but also reduce the thickness of the insulation layer by 30%, providing the possibility for designing lighter and more space-optimized transportation tools.

II. Urban Heating Network: The "Green Artery" of Smart Pipelines

Traditional heating pipelines are widely criticized due to their high heat loss of up to 85%, while the heat loss of aerogel directly buried insulation pipes is only 2%, far lower than the international standard of 10%. It is truly the "king of energy saving". Its ultra-thin design (only 1/5 of the thickness of traditional materials) increases construction efficiency by 50%, reduces earthwork excavation by 50%, and can be directly buried in frozen soil or underwater without the need for a large trench, reducing the life cycle cost by 40%. This innovation is promoting the transformation of global urban heating networks to "zero-carbon operation and maintenance".

III. Cogeneration: The "Insulation Armor" of High-Temperature Industries

If the high-temperature pipelines (100~500°C) in thermal power plants and nuclear power plants lack effective insulation, not only is the energy consumption astonishing, but scalding accidents are also more likely to occur. Aerogel thermal insulation felt, with its characteristics of high temperature resistance (up to 650°C) and a water repellency rate of ≥99%, reduces heat energy loss by 50% and at the same time eliminates the problem of insulation layer failure caused by water absorption. What's more, its A1-level fire resistance performance can prevent the spread of fire and add a "firewall" for industrial safety.

IV. High-Temperature Kilns: Leap in Durability and Energy Efficiency

In industries such as steel and ceramics, the kiln linings endure extremely high temperatures exceeding 1000°C for a long time. The SiO₂ aerogel composite material reinforced by basalt fibers not only broadens the temperature resistance range to -200°C~700°C but also increases the thermal shock resistance by three times, prolonging the kiln life by 30%. This material blocks thermal radiation through nanopores and reduces fuel consumption by 20%, providing a technical means for enterprises to achieve the "dual carbon" goal.

V. Petrochemical Industry: The "Terminator" of Corrosion and Cost

The traditional insulation materials for heavy oil extraction pipelines (200~600°C) are easily corroded by acidic media. However, the neutral pH value and 99.6% water repellency rate of aerogel can completely solve this pain point. Its lightweight characteristics increase the pipeline arrangement rate by 15%, improve construction efficiency by 40%, and reduce the life cycle maintenance cost by 50%. Domestic leading enterprises have built the world's largest silicon-based aerogel production base, promoting large-scale cost reduction in the industry.

VI. Aerospace and Military: The "Life Barrier" for Deep Space Exploration

From the lining of spacesuits to the reactors of nuclear submarines, aerogel, with its insulation performance of 1 cm equivalent to 30 layers of glass, becomes the "survival guarantee" in extreme environments. For example, after being burned in a hydrocarbon fire at 1100°C for 120 minutes, the surface temperature of the protected part is only 259°C for high-silica fiber/aerogel composite materials, winning critical time for rescue. In addition, its stealth and radiation resistance characteristics are also used in the stealth coatings of fighter jets, redefining modern military technology.

VII. LNG Storage and Transportation: The "Absolute Defense Line" at -162°C

The storage and transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) need to deal with ultra-low temperatures of -162°C. Traditional insulation materials are easily ineffective due to vibration and deformation. With a water repellency rate of 99%, A1-level fire resistance and inorganic environmental protection characteristics, aerogel becomes the only material that can pass the stringent sea transportation test, increasing the cold insulation efficiency by three times and eliminating the cold bridge effect. The global LNG fleet is accelerating the adoption of this technology. It is expected that the relevant market size will exceed 3.7 billion yuan in 2025.

VIII. Building Insulation: From "Energy Consumption Black Hole" to "Green Shell"

Building energy consumption accounts for 51% of the total global carbon emissions. And 2mm aerogel coating can be equivalent to the insulation performance of 35mm rock wool board, reducing the weight of the exterior wall by 70% and lowering the indoor temperature difference by 8°C. The aerogel integrated board developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation further reduces the thickness of the building insulation layer by 50%, has a service life of 70 years, and saves 47.8% of gas. In the future, intelligent aerogel coatings with waterproof and self-cleaning functions may reshape the standards of green buildings.

IX. Electronic and Electrical Appliances: The "Thermal Management Master" in the Miniaturization Era

The heat dissipation problem of chips in 5G base stations and supercomputers has a turning point due to aerogel. Its thermal conductivity of 0.033 W/m・K can block high temperatures of 1000°C, and it is flexible and easy to cut, perfectly suitable for micro-components. Xiaomi's latest patent shows that the aerogel mobile phone heat dissipation film can reduce the CPU temperature by 12°C, indicating a new revolution in the field of consumer electronics.

X. Biomedical: The "Nano Guardian" of Life Sciences

In cutting-edge research, cellulose acetate aerogel, with a compressive strength of 0.73 MPa and a thermal insulation performance of 0.033 W/m・K, becomes an ideal carrier for vaccine cold chain transportation. Its biodegradable characteristic is further used in artificial bone scaffolds, promoting cell growth by regulating the pore structure and opening a new chapter in regenerative medicine.