Silica Aerogel is the lightest solid in existence, only three times heavier than air.
The overall cost depends on the source of silica and the manufacturing method. Pure silica can be obtained from rice husk ash, which is an agricultural waste product. It can be therefore anticipated that a silica aerogel made from rice husk will be much cheaper than one using a synthetic substance such as TEOS. One version of such aerogel is Maerogel. It uses a much simpler manufacturing process as well. In addition, the physical properties are comparable to the conventional silica aerogel.
Would you inform us about synthesizing silica aerogel more completely, including the used equipments for this aim
You may refer to this article: Aerogels in Aerospace: An Overview.
It describes the method/chemistry to produce Maerogel.
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