06 Nov 2018 --- A method to convert plastic bottle waste into aerogels for a range of applications has been uncovered by National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers in a world-first finding. The PET aerogels developed by the team are soft, flexible, durable, extremely lightweight and easy to handle. They could have the potential for use in heat and sound insulation in buildings, oil spill cleaning, and also as a lightweight lining for firefighter coats and carbon dioxide absorption masks that could be used during fire rescue operations or fire escape.
