8 cubic centimeters of super light aerogel on the core. Photo by Wang Xiaoyong At Zhejiang University, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: an ultra-light aerogel called the "carbon sponge." This material has set a new world record for being the lightest solid ever created. Its remarkable elasticity and oil-absorbing capabilities have even caught the attention of *Nature* magazine. Aerogels are known for their extreme lightness, often referred to as the "lightest material" in the Guinness Book of Records. They are composed of a network of pores filled with air, making them incredibly lightweight. In 2011, a nickel-based aerogel achieved a density of just 0.9 mg/cm³, which was the lightest at the time. "You can place it on a dandelion, and the delicate hairs remain almost undisturbed," said Gao Chao, a professor at Zhejiang University. The image of this material featured in *Nature*’s top ten pictures of the year left a strong impression on him. It inspired him to explore whether a new material could challenge these limits. For years, Gao’s team has been working on graphene-based macroscopic materials. Two years ago, they aimed to create a three-dimensional porous structure using graphene, hoping to break previous records. In the lab, reporters saw carbon sponges of various sizes—some as big as tennis balls, others as small as wine corks. Under an electron microscope, the structure revealed countless pores supported by carbon nanotubes and graphene layers. "What’s impressive is that we’ve achieved batch production with much better controllability," Gao explained. Traditional methods like sol-gel or template-directed approaches had limitations—either poor control or difficulty in large-scale production. To overcome this, the team developed a template-free freeze-drying method. By freezing a solution of graphene and carbon nanotubes, they produced the "carbon sponge," which can be molded into any shape depending on the container used. The carbon sponge weighs only 0.16 mg/cm³, setting a new world record. *Nature* praised its high resilience, able to return to its original shape after being compressed by 80%. It also shows exceptional oil absorption, making it one of the most efficient materials for cleaning up oil spills. Gao isn’t focused on breaking records. "Lightness isn't the biggest innovation," he said. "The real value lies in the simple preparation method and the material’s superior performance." He envisions the material being used in environmental cleanup, energy storage, and more. "If we want this material to move beyond the lab, we need industry and society to help bring it to life," he added. shower filter head,head spray shower,rainfall shower head,ionic shower head,telephone shower head,shower head set gold Yuyao Gaobao Sanitary Ware Factory , https://www.gurberry.com
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