Aerogel in 2020s: EV battery pads

A nanoscale silica sponge — among the lowest solid λ values, fragile unless blanketed, and A1 when purely inorganic. Aerogel is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under advanced: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Aerogel with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates. Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Aerogel (SiO2 network + >90% air) is a family of grades whose density ~0.003–0.15 g/cm³, heat band silica sinters; organic aerogels burn, and fire letter silica A1; polymer aerogels not. Aerogel is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry SiO2 network + >90% air, density ~0.003–0.15 g/cm³, heat band silica sinters; organic aerogels burn.