# Space-Inspired Pollution Solutions NASA Aerogel Could be Modified to Clean Up Oil Spill By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-06-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nasa-aerogel References: [news.discovery](http://news.discovery.com/tech/aerogel-oil-spill-cleanup.html) & [hightechscience.org](http://www.hightechscience.org/aerogel.htm) Arizona and Ohio scientists are working to modify [NASA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naples-soap-company) aerogel to [absorb oil from spills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pfas-removal-technology) and stop pollutants from reaching the environment. NASA areogel has been used to capture comet dust in space but may well provide earthbound pollution solutions. Sometimes called ‘[frozen smoke](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elysium-blue-jacket),’ NASA aerogel technology was originally developed at Case Western Reserve University and is being re-engineered to float on the surface of polluted water to absorb oil. Oil could then be safely squeezed out of the saturated aerogel. Photo Credit: [NASA](http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/highres/aerogel_peter.jpg) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Modified Aerogel Technology:** Modifying NASA aerogel technology to absorb oil from spills and prevent environmental contamination. - **Sustainable Oil Spill Cleanup:** Developing sustainable solutions to clean up oil spills using modified aerogel technology. - **Cross-industry Collaboration:** Encouraging collaboration between aerospace and environmental industries to address pollution challenges. ### Where This Applies - **Environmental Remediation:** Using modified aerogel technology for effective oil spill cleanup and pollution prevention. - **Aerospace:** Leveraging NASA aerogel technology to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges. - **Energy:** Exploring the application of modified aerogel technology in the oil and gas industry for environmental sustainability. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [High-Absorption Spill Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purabsorb.md) - [Sleek Pollution-Reducing Paints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecos-1.md) - [Space-Age Personal Care](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naples-soap-company.md) - [Fire-Preventing Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nanoscale-coating.md) - [Pollution-Removing Murals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/this-campaign-sucks.md) - [Algae-Powered Air Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/algenair-aerium.md) - [Smooth Medicine Delivery Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oily-gel-for-medicine.md) - [Shrimp Waste Carbon Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-of-sharjah.md) - [Performance-Enhancing Industrial Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raven-materials.md)