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Facile method for surface etching of silica aerogel monoliths

  • Brief Communication: Nano- and macroporous materials (aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, etc.)
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Abstract

In this work we demonstrate the use of a commercial CO2 laser cutting system to etch the surface of silica aerogel monoliths without causing overall structural damage to the monoliths. Text, photographs and other images can be readily reproduced on an aerogel surface. The visual appearance of the etched aerogel sample depends on the orientation of the sample and the viewer relative to the light source, which renders this approach visually attractive for applications in fine art, fenestration and architecture.

A photograph of the authors etched onto the surface of a silica aerogel under different lighting conditions. On the left, the etching appears as a negative of the original photograph. On the right, light scattering from the etching results in a visual representation that matches the original photograph

Highlights

  • Aerogels can be readily etched using a commercial laser cutter.

  • Attractive visual effects result from laser etching of aerogels.

  • Structural integrity of the aerogel monolith is preserved during surface etching.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Myung Joo Lee for assisting with photography and Charles Darwin University for its continuous support of this Art & Science research of Dr. Michalou(di)s.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia

    Ioannis Michalou(di)s

  2. Department of Chemistry, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA

    Mary K. Carroll

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA

    Samuel Kupiec, Kian Cook & Ann M. Anderson

Authors
  1. Ioannis Michalou(di)s
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  2. Mary K. Carroll
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  3. Samuel Kupiec
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  4. Kian Cook
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  5. Ann M. Anderson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ann M. Anderson.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Michalou(di)s, I., Carroll, M.K., Kupiec, S. et al. Facile method for surface etching of silica aerogel monoliths. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 87, 22–26 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4721-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4721-z

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