Work

Transformative Powder Fibration toward Hierarchical Ceramic Aerogels for Multifunctional Aerospace Systems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Extreme aerospace environments demand ultralight materials capable of simultaneously withstanding rapid thermal fluctuations, intense mechanical shocks, and strong electromagnetic radiation. However, integrating thermal stability, mechanical resilience, and multifunctionality within a single ceramic aerogel remains challenging due to the intrinsic brittleness and structural instability of conventional systems. Here, we report a scalable powder‐to‐fiber transformation strategy to construct hierarchical ceramic aerogels reinforced with cellulose‐derived topological microscrolls. This process converts particle‐based networks into entangled fibrous frameworks, enabling cooperative deformation and structural robustness. As a result, the aerogels exhibit near‐temperature‐invariant superelasticity (up to 95% strain recovery), negative thermal expansion, and ultralow thermal conductivity (3.6 mW m − 1 K − 1 in vacuum). They maintain structural integrity under extreme conditions, including direct flame exposure and rapid thermal cycling from −196°C to 1300°C, while delivering high electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (above 56 dB across 8.2–40 GHz). These integrated properties establish a robust strategy for designing multifunctional ceramic aerogels for aerospace structures, thermal protection, and other extreme‐environment applications.

Source: Advanced Materials

DOI: 10.1002/adma.73675