Light-as-air ceramic could help spacecraft stay cool

An optical image showing an hBNAG sample resting on the stamen of a flower

Source: © X Xu and X Duan

Superinsulating boron nitride aerogel can stand up to 1400°C without losing its mechanical strength

Although it’s only 1% as dense as water, a superinsulating material made out of boron nitride could protect spacecraft equipment from extreme heat or cold.