Airgel is currently the lightest material known. Now a Parisian fashion label has used it to create a “cloudy” handbag that is made of 99 percent air.
When the space agency NASA has a hand in designing earthly products, things often get crazy. We’re thinking about the METL bicycle tire, which you never have to inflate again and which should last a lifetime.
Airgel, currently the lightest material on Earth, also comes from NASA. The US space agency used the material for the Stardust mission in 1999 because it can withstand extreme temperatures and high pressure. The German Aerospace Center describes Airgel as follows:
“Aerogels are nanostructured, open-pored materials that are obtained from aqueous or alcoholic solutions through gelation (sol-gel process) and suitable drying processes.”
The Parisian fashion label Covered has now designed a shoulder bag made of airgel, based on silicate. The bag, which weighs just 33 grams, is made of 99 percent air and one percent glass – and is a real eye-catcher. Trapped smoke creates a very special effect, almost like wearing a cloud over your shoulder.
Aside from the exotic choice of materials, the design of the shoulder bag is based on the manufacturer’s bags that are already available for purchase. It is still uncertain whether the airgel version will also come onto the market. The fashion label Vollebak uses Aeroge
- » Tipp: The best VPN providers for more security and data protection
- » Buy balcony power plant: Comparison of the best solar systems
Don’t miss anything with this NETWORK WORLDNewsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!