verylowdensity

Verylowdensity refers to materials or substances with an exceptionally low mass per unit volume. In practice, the term is used to describe materials whose bulk density is far below that of conventional solids, often approaching that of gases or hydrated porous solids. There is no universal threshold, but densities under about 0.1 g/cm3 are commonly cited as very low in many engineering contexts.

Common examples include aerogels (such as silica or carbon aerogels) with densities as low as 0.001–0.1 g/cm3, polymer foams, and metallic foams that rely on porosity for lightness. In some cases, extremely low densities are achieved with hollow microspheres or cellular structures. The density of gases at room temperature is also extremely low relative to solids, and mixtures of gas can exhibit very low effective density if confined.

Verylowdensity materials typically feature high porosity and large surface area. They often trade mechanical strength for low weight and high insulating performance. Because of their porous structures, they may be sensitive to moisture, compression, and environmental factors, and can be fragile or brittle.

Applications include thermal insulation for clothing and buildings, spacecraft and satellites, cryogenic insulation, shock absorption protective gear, and buoyant components in marine or aerospace contexts. Manufacturing challenges include maintaining structure under load, preventing collapse of pores, and controlling moisture uptake.