Silica aerogel 500 ml
The large size, ideal for classrooms
- 500 ml jar (17 fl oz)
- Ø 71 × 159 mm
€79.90 incl. VAT €159.80 per litre
Silica aerogel pieces – 250 ml jar
The perfect size to discover aerogel: translucent pieces of “solid smoke”, more than 99% air, to observe, handle and show.
- Volume250 ml
- Jar (Ø × height)Ø 71 × 86.5 mm
- CompositionMore than 99% air
- Tracked Colissimo delivery to France, Europe, the USA and Canada — rates
- Secure payment by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- 14 days to change your mind
- A question? Write to us, we reply quickly
Description: Silica aerogel 250 ml
This 250 ml jar (8.5 fl oz) contains silica aerogel pieces of various sizes: enough for your first experiments, to illustrate a physics lesson or to give an amazing science gift.
Silica aerogel is an extraordinary material: a solid made of more than 99% air, trapped in a silica network whose pores measure a few tens of nanometres. The result: pieces so light you can barely feel them in your hand, translucent like a frozen cloud — hence its nickname “frozen smoke”.
A discovery size
The 250 ml jar is perfect for a first encounter with aerogel: it contains several pieces of different sizes, from small flakes to fragments several centimetres long. Place them on squared paper to see their transparency, backlight them to reveal their amber glow, or hold them between a flame and your hand to feel their insulating power.
Who is it for?
Teachers, pupils and students, science enthusiasts, material collectors, photographers or simply curious minds: aerogel fascinates at every age. It is also an original gift for physics and chemistry lovers.
Need more material for a class or several demonstrations? The 500 ml jar offers twice the volume at a better price per litre.
Key features
- The world’s lightest solid: more than 99% air
- Translucent: blue in reflected light, amber when backlit
- Exceptional thermal insulator to test for yourself
- Non-toxic and non-flammable
- Compact 250 ml jar: Ø 71 × 86.5 mm
What you receive
- A clear 250 ml jar filled with silica aerogel pieces (every jar is unique)
- A screw lid to keep the aerogel dry
- Protective packaging suited to this fragile material
Handling aerogel properly
- Handle it gently: it is very light but fragile and crumbles under pressure.
- Use gloves or clean, dry hands: aerogel absorbs moisture and can dry out the skin.
- Avoid water and humidity, which damage its structure and transparency.
- Close the jar after use and store it in a dry place, protected from knocks.
- Do not swallow, avoid breathing in the fine dust, wash your hands after handling.
- Keep out of reach of young children; use by children under adult supervision.
One material, two colours
Before your eyes, aerogel changes colour with the lighting. It is not a dye: the light itself is being sorted by its nanostructure.
In reflected light: blue
Against a dark background, the nanopores mainly send back short wavelengths: aerogel takes on the colour of the sky.
When backlit: amber
As the blue is scattered away, the light passing through becomes richer in red and yellow: aerogel glows like a sunset.
This is Rayleigh scattering, the phenomenon that makes the sky blue and sunsets orange. An optics experiment to do in class with a simple lamp.
What makes aerogel unique
A solid that defies intuition: at first sight you think it is an illusion, once you touch it you understand the science.
Ultra-light
More than 99% of its volume is air: one of the lightest solids ever created.
Translucent
You can read through it, yet it scatters light like a frozen cloud.
Super-insulating
Its porous structure slows heat down: one of the best thermal insulators known.
Nanostructured
A silica network with pores a few tens of nanometres wide.
Non-toxic, non-flammable
Made of amorphous silica, it is safe to handle with a few simple precautions.
Nicknamed “frozen smoke”
Its misty look has earned it this nickname all over the world.
Aerogel on video
A video is worth a thousand words: the lightness, transparency and amber glow of our silica aerogel pieces, filmed without any tricks.
250 ml or 500 ml?
Same material, same quality: simply choose the quantity you need.
| Aerogel 250 ml | Aerogel 500 ml | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 250 ml (8.5 fl oz) | 500 ml (17 fl oz) |
| Jar (Ø × height) | Ø 71 × 86.5 mm | Ø 71 × 159 mm |
| Ideal for | Discovery, gifts, demonstrations | Classrooms, workshops, exhibitions |
| Price incl. VAT | €49.90 | €79.90 |
| Price per litre | €199.60 | €159.80 |
What is silica aerogel?
It is a solid made of more than 99% air, trapped in a nanoporous silica network. It is obtained by replacing the liquid in a silica gel with air without destroying its structure. It is one of the lightest materials in the world, translucent and an excellent thermal insulator.
Is aerogel dangerous?
No: silica aerogel is non-toxic and non-flammable. As with any fine powder, avoid swallowing it or breathing in its dust. Wearing gloves is recommended as it dries the skin; wash your hands after handling and keep it out of reach of young children.
Can you touch aerogel?
Yes, gently. It is very light but fragile: too much pressure makes it crumble. Handle it with clean, dry hands or gloves, and keep it away from water.
Why does aerogel look blue?
Its nanometric pores scatter blue light more strongly (Rayleigh scattering, as in the sky). Against a dark background it looks bluish; when backlit, the light passing through it turns amber.
How big are the pieces?
The pieces are natural fragments of various sizes, from small flakes up to several centimetres. Every jar is therefore unique. The quantity sold corresponds to the jar volume: 250 ml or 500 ml.
How should aerogel be stored?
Keep it in its tightly closed jar, in a dry place, protected from knocks. Water and humidity can damage its structure and transparency.
What are the delivery times and costs?
Orders ship within 24/48 working hours by tracked Colissimo. Costs are a flat rate per order depending on the country (France, Europe, USA and Canada) and are shown before payment: see our shipping and delivery page.
I am a teacher: can I order for my school?
Of course. You can pay online directly, or ask us for a quote for payment by invoice (purchase order, bank transfer) via the contact form, subject “Quote / institution”.