AEROGEL COMMERCIALIZATION - TECHNOLOGY, MARKETS AND COSTS

Commercialization of aerogels has been slow due to several factors inc luding cost and manufacturability issues. The technology itself is wel l enough developed as a result of extensive work over the past decade by an international community of researchers. Several substantial mark ets appear to exist for aerogels as thermal and sound insulator, if pr oduction costs can keep prices in line with competing established mate rials. In the present paper, the elements identified as key cost drive rs are discussed, and a prognosis for the evolution of the technology leading to reduced cost aerogel production is given.