The 'Institude of Making' at UCL offers very interesting hands-on workshops where you can play with different materials. Worth checking it out! Their material library also shows many new materials with exciting properties.
http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/materials-library
Aerogel
One of the lightest solids on earth
Also nanogel - very similar. Has been employed in ETFE cushions and glazing systems for insulation.
ReplyDeletehttp://fabricarchitecturemag.com/articles/0911_ce_etfe_systems.html
http://www.vector-foiltec.com/assets/files/ETFE-%20AJ%20vol228%2003.07.08.pdf