Chunks of nanocomposites. Top row: (left) opaque white aerogel contains an organic compound, (right) orange aerogel contains iron oxide;;  Middle row: (left) the pale green aerogel contains copper, (right) the black aerogel contains carbon and iron;  Bottom row: (left) the deep blue aerogel contains nickel, (right) the white and tan aerogel contains an organic compound.

Six Aerogel Nanocomposites

These composites were prepared by adding metal salts, or other compounds to a sol before gelation. The deep blue aerogel contains nickel; the pale green, copper; the black, carbon and iron; the orange, iron oxide; and the remaining aerogels, organic compounds.