ScienceSeptember 2, 2026
aerogel
AIR-uh-jel
Definition
An extremely lightweight, synthetic, porous solid derived from a gel in which the liquid component has been replaced with a gas.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau of 'aero-' (from Greek 'aer' meaning air) and 'gel,' reflecting the fact that the material is essentially a gel whose liquid base has been removed and replaced by air.
In the news
The article mentions silica aerogel as one of the non-spherical objects successfully manipulated and levitated by the team's sound-based tractor beam. It highlights the material's use as a test subject for the device's ability to handle delicate, lightweight materials.
Scientists Built a Sound ‘Tractor Beam’ That Can Move Objects From Nearly Half a Meter Away
Read the full article ↗ZME Science