Oolite Bulletins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel

Now what use might be made of these in ships or stations? From what I understand, current ones will shatter if damaged, but likely that would be improved with a thousand years or so of development.

Extremely low density, but good load bearing characteristics. The appearance of the material could make for some interesting ships, with translucent parts.

Ganelon wrote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
Extremely low density, but good load bearing characteristics. The appearance of the material could make for some interesting ships, with translucent parts.

"A new tile material composite, based on the ceramic fiber tiles on the Space Shuttle could be used commercial products that require mechanically tough superinsulation. The new tiles have a layer of aerogel, sometimes called "solid smoke," inside its air spaces. The new material potentially could be used for furnaces, automobile catalytic converters, liquefied gas transport trucks, and liquid carbon dioxide, special nitrogen, and oxygen containers."
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/events/ ... chtran.htm

"AeroGel. Carbon/Kevlar composite. Liquid metal. These are all things that comprise the “structural skin” of Chu Hyung Kwon’s concept automobile, a Transformer-chic ride with the ability to flip itself over if it ends up on its backside."
http://euvolution.com/futurist-transhum ... 2/page/60/

Also used in the space industry for insulation from all those nasty particles and waves out there.