Knowledge Tree
silica
Facts (8)
Sources
Recent breakthroughs in the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass ... pubs.rsc.org Jun 7, 2025 6 facts
referenceTodkar, Deorukhkar, and Deshmukh (2016) extracted silica from rice husk.
referenceBarana et al. (2016) published 'Biorefinery Process for the Simultaneous Recovery of Lignin, Hemicelluloses, Cellulose Nanocrystals and Silica from Rice Husk and Arundo Donax' in Industrial Crops and Products, describing a method to extract multiple components from agricultural residues.
claimCellulose and silica are the most frequently observed materials used for thermal insulation, with additional research available on the use of hemicellulose and lignin.
claimSilica is used as an anti-reflecting material for high-rise buildings (ref. 257).
claimLong et al. synthesized a superhydrophobic aerogel using silica, cellulose, and Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a crosslinker, which achieved a contact angle of 150.8° and a constant moisture absorption rate of 0.44% with respect to saturated mass.
referenceVarious sustainable insulating materials have been documented with specific thermal conductivities and features: Aerogel (Cellulose, Mg(OH)2) has a conductivity of 56–81 mW m−1 K−1 and is flame retardant; Aerogel (Cellulose) has a conductivity of 25.5 mW m−1 K−1 and is low density/high strength; High porosity wood (Cellulose) has a conductivity of 38 mW m−1 K−1 and is lightweight/noise reducing; Bamboo particle boards (Lignin, glue) have a conductivity of 101–201 mW m−1 K−1 and hygrothermal properties; Aerogel (Silica, lignin, ethylene glycol polymer) has a conductivity of 40 mW m−1 K−1 and is fire resistant/superhydrophobic; Aerogel (Silica) has a conductivity of 19–23 mW m−1 K−1 and is acoustic insulating; Aerogel (Konjac glucomannan, silica) has a conductivity of 21 mW m−1 K−1 and is ultralight/high strength/hydrophobic; Aerogel (Cellulose nanowhisker) has a conductivity of 45 mW m−1 K−1 and is flexible/flame retardant/high strength; Aerogel (Cellulose, PVA) has a conductivity of 31–42 mW m−1 K−1 and is ultralow density/high porosity/superhydrophobic; Aerogel (Cellulose, graphene confined-zirconium phosphate nanosheets) has a conductivity of 18 mW m−1 K−1 and is high strength/flame retardant; Aerogel (Bacterial cellulose) has a conductivity of 13 mW m−1 K−1 and is flexible; Foam (Wood fiber, phytic acid, polyethyleneimine) has a conductivity of 33.6–40 mW m−1 K−1 and is tough/flame retardant/self-extinguishing.
Reviewing the Prehistoric Menu | American Scientist americanscientist.org 1 fact
claimPhytoliths, which are microscopic particles of silica that form within plants, serve as evidence of plant consumption when found embedded in the calculus of teeth.
To Follow the Real Early Human Diet, Eat Everything scientificamerican.com Jun 25, 2024 1 fact
accountResearchers analyzing tartar preserved in the teeth of two Australopithecus sediba individuals from South Africa found microscopic bits of silica from plants, including bark, leaves, sedges, and grasses, consumed nearly two million years ago.