Be the 1st one on your block to own a piece of Aerogel
 

cool stuff

the torch pic says 3000 deg F and the melting point -- just above the pic -- is 2200 deg F

I wonder if they add some impurity to make it semi opaque?

I've already got some. :)

Unfortunately, it disintegrates a bit whenever you handle it, so I have much less than I used to.

So how long before we see a laminated bookshelf made of the stuff? Or maybe a box to store valuable papers. Silicone adhesive and clear polyurethane might be able to address its structural deficiencies.

At $130 for a broken bit the size of a matchbox car, I think the bookshelf may take a while. Safe insulation would be good, but still pretty expensive.