The scientists at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, have invented world's lightest material called silica aerogel or'blue air.'
As per scientists, this material can possibly help save many lives at the Siachen glacier if used as a filler in soldiers? uniforms owing to its excellent thermal resistance.
The material has uses both in space and on Earth.
Sometimes also called'frozen smoke', scientists hope to use it as an insulator in rocket engines.
Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Dr K Sivan, told NDTV, "It is the world's lightest synthetic material made by man. It is a highly guarded technology. We have indigenously made it in India. It is used for insulating the rocket's surface."
The uses, however, extend beyond rocket insulations. "It has applications for thermal jacket, foot insoles, as well as for window glazing. It is extremely useful for people working in very cold environments, in a very strategic way," Dr Sivan added.
Frozen smoke can be used to make light weight clothing. It can keep buildings cool or warm when painted on walls. Likely to be used on India's moon rover in Chandrayaan-2 mission, the aerogel matrix consists of 99 per cent air.
Very fragile and brittle at the moment, scientists at the space centre are devising ways to make it tough and resilient. Silica Aerogel is the lightest synthetic material ever made by man.
