Materials scientists develop and test new materials that do
certain jobs better than existing materials, or are easier or
cheaper to make. Scientists use their knowledge of how molecules
form to combine atoms in new ways. They also apply heat and
pressure to existing materials to create materials with new
properties. They can even create materials with SMART properties
that respond to their environment. In freezing conditions,
climbers need clothes that are extremely warm and lightweight,
so they can move easily. Aerogel is a new, super-light
insulating material used to line extreme weather coats. It is
made from silicon dioxide, the same material that glass is made
from. However, aerogel is 99 per cent air, so it is 1,000 times
less dense than glass. One of the lightest substances on Earth,
aerogel can even float on air in its pure form. It also has
amazing insulation properties and can protect skin from the heat
of a blowtorch. Aerogel is made by mixing a silicon compound
with other chemicals to make a wet