Frozen Smoke

Published on 13 Apr 2025

•  Researchers have recently developed a ground breaking sensor using frozen smoke to detect toxic formaldehyde in homes and offices.
• “Frozen smoke” is a nickname for aerogel, a silica-based material that’s the lightest solid known. 
• Aerogel is also known as solid smoke, solid air, solid cloud, and blue smoke.
• When pressed softly, aerogel will return to its original form, but when pressed harder, a dimple forms. But, when an aerogel is under too much pressure it will shatter like glass into many tiny pieces.
• The sensor uses artificial intelligence techniques to detect formaldehyde in real time at concentrations as low as eight parts per billion, far beyond the sensitivity of most indoor air quality sensors.

Formaldehyde is a common Volatile organic compound (VOC) and is emitted by household items including pressed wood products (such as MDF), wallpapers and paints, and some synthetic fabrics. Formaldehyde can lead to serious health problems with prolonged exposure even at low concentrations.

 

Keywords:

Frozen Smoke Pollution Air pollution Artificial Intelligence Indoor pollution