India develops the world’s lightest material to warm its men-at-arms

By Yajush Gupta

With the occurrence of recent snow–slips still fresh in mind, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has fabricated the world's lightest material called 'Silica aerogel', 'blue air' or 'frozen smoke' ,to keep the soldiers warm, the lightest ever made by mankind.

According to scientists at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre,a major space research centre of the ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram ,the material is useful in both outer space and Earth and has astounding thermal resistance.

Aerogels are among the lightest solid materials known to man, created by combining a polymer with a solvent to form a gel, and then removing the liquid from the gel and replacing it with air.

Key aspects of the 'blue air' :

• This material can be used in soldier outfit to keep them warm during freezing temperatures
• Aerogel has 99% air, it is being slated for use on ISRO's next mission to the moon called Chandryaan-2
• It has an excellent thermal resistance and if it is used as filler in soldiers' uniforms it can save many lives at the Siachen Glacier

The material can be used in space and scientists are considering its usage in insulating rocket engines. It can soon replace winter outfits with light weight clothing for the Indian military.

@yajush_gupta