Scientists hail ‘frozen smoke’ as material that will change world

The Sunday Times ^ | August 19, 2007 | Abul Taher

[Robert A Cook PE]

But will it do the dishs and babysit the kids?

But what will do about global warming?

Shouldn't that be: But will it wash the kids and babysit the dishes?

[CarrotAndStick]

As a commentor to the original article says, insulation doesn’t mean you can set your thermostat lower...

Well, if heat leakages are minimised, the temperature of the heat source can be lowered, while keeping the whole room at a certain temperature. Somewhat similar to using less water flow to keep the level of water at a particular level in a container with small leakage holes, versus one with a larger leakage.

[mdittmar]

It is now being used to develop an insulated lining in space suits for the first manned mission to Mars, scheduled for 2018.

Wow,I did not know this was planned for just 10 1/2 years from now.

The things you learn on FR.

[papasmurf]

Sure it does, doesn’t it? If your insulation is so poor that you need to set it to a higher temp just to keep it where it’s comfortable, then you can turn your thermostat down.

My A/C is set to 62 right now, yet it’s still only 79 in the house. If I had better insulation, I could set it at 72 and leave it alone. This is because the air is leaving, or coming into, the house faster than the unit can cool it.

Or, did I miss something? LOL

[gcruse]

Yes. But if you want the room to stay at 70, do you set the stat at 65?

[papasmurf]

Fantastic post, thanks!

Can it be bought retail? How can I make it? Does it breakdown? What is the lifespan?

It would seem the applications for it’s use are endless. Why isn’t this making headlines across the world? Is it too expensive for everyday use? What’s the downside?

[danneskjold]

Yes. But if you want the room to stay at 70, do you set the stat at 65?

It depends on how well the room is insulated...

[gcruse]

I would think the insulation just reduces the time your AC needs to be on the maintain the temp. The differential might be significant if one left the windows and door open, I guess...

[gcruse]

Far be it from me to argue insulation with someone sporting such a username! ;)

[papasmurf]

What does it feel like?

[technomage]

Can it be bought retail?

Not sure. But I did a quick search and numerous sites came up.

Check out

www.aerogel.com.

LOTS of downloadable information there.

[HitmanLV]

I read about this in an issue of Action Comics published back in the 60s.

[SlowBoat407]

Do not taunt frozen smoke.

[Names Ash Housewares]

[papasmurf]

Hehe, I’m already there. Thanks. :)

[COBOL2Java]

Mark Krajewski, a senior scientist at the company, believes that an 18mm layer of aerogel will be sufficient to protect astronauts from temperatures as low as -130C. “It is the greatest insulator we’ve ever seen,” he said.

Amazing!

[gulfcoast6]

Look at it like this, ‘bye Al’, you flim flam is over.

[TrueKnightGalahad]

But will it do the dishs and babysit the kids?

Probably...but will it core a apple?

(If you know where that's from...you're old!)

[CarrotAndStick]

Yes. But if you want the room to stay at 70, do you set the stat at 65?

The heating element of a heater is usually at a temperature several times the magnitude of the immediate ambient temperature (a wood flame in a furnace is approx. 300°F, but the rest of the room isn't). When losses are limited, the heating element can do the same amount of heating with lower surface temperatures, or lower times of operation.

The thermostat is just displaying/referencing/limiting the ambient temperature, primarily by controlling the temperature of the heating element.

[gcruse]

“(If you know where that’s from...you’re old!)’

Hmm. I thought I’d heard them all.
I guess there’s always someone older. LOL