NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab donated an aerogel sample which looks like a hologram or a translucent bar of soap and its name sounds like a hair product, but is an intriguing material with astonishing scientific applications.

The sample of aerogel, recently donated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and placed in a lighted display case in Santa Monica College's Science Complex, is an intriguing material with astonishing scientific applications.

Aerogel has several unique properties that can provide many useful terrestrial applications, said Dr. Peter Soul, a 34-year JPL scientist who specializes in utilizing aerogel for space exploration and who donated the sample to SMC.

Measuring just 3 inches in length, 4 inches in width and 3/4 inch in height, the aerogel sample weighs roughly 3 grams. In the display case, located on the second floor foyer of the Science Complex, it looks like it is floating on its stand.

Scientists say that aerogel is 99.8 percent air, making it the least dense solid known; for example, it is 1,000 times less dense than glass. Yet it is a better insulator than the highest quality fiberglass and can support up to 4,000 times its own weight.

Aerogel was successfully used on JPL's Stardust mission to capture comet particles and as a thermal insulator aboard the Mars rover Sojourner. It also has a wide variety of applications and potential applications, including fire protection, drug delivery support, absorption of toxic materials, and energy savings.

The display case - and accompanying NASA poster describing the aerogel - has been getting attention from passersby.

The exhibit is here to pique people's interest in high-tech or exotic materials, said SMC chemistry professor Dr. James Murphy, whose former student, Joe Weichman, arranged for the donation.

Aerogel has a remarkable appearance that can inspire and recruit more students into the sciences, something we need more of, said Weichman, who met Tsou while working at JPL.

Funding for the display case was made available through the SMC Foundation.