The Science Behind Coperni's Ultra-Light, Space-Age Tote
From Mars Rovers to Runways…
Splurging on something that's essentially 99% air might not immediately seem like savvy shopping. Yet, Coperni's latest creation, a tote forged from NASA's silica aerogel—a nanomaterial—is redefining luxury in the modern age.
The French brand has transformed astronautical marvel ‘silica aerogel’ - previously tasked with snaring cosmic dust and insulating Mars rovers - into the epitome of high-fashion functionality.
Crafted from the nearly ethereal material known as one of science's lightest, the bag tips the scales at a mere 33 grams—just a tad heavier than a handful of standard printer paper.
“This very delicate (and non-fragile) nanomaterial has been used by NASA to capture stardust: because it can withstand extreme heat (1200o Celsius) and a pressure of 4000 times its weight,” explains Coperni, “This Air Swipe bag is the biggest ever object made of this space technology nanomaterial.”
Despite its seemingly fragile nature, Coperni asserts its durability, capable of cradling your iPhone securely. Revealed through an Instagram showcase, the Air Swipe Bag captivates with its semi-transparent, dreamlike aesthetic, interlaced with delicate, smoke-like whorls, sparking both admiration and scepticism over its practicality among the style-conscious social media crowd.
Yet, the allure of the Air Swipe Bag isn't just skin deep. In response to queries about its functionality, Coperni confidently affirmed its ability to support an iPhone 15 Max, a device weighing in at 221 grams—showcasing the bag's remarkable strength-to-weight ratio.
The brainchild behind this innovative use of silica aerogel is Professor Ioannis Michaloudis from the American University of Cyprus. Coperni's description paints a picture of the bag as comprising "99% pure nothing and 1% glass, the glass of the future.," spotlighting the material's unique composition—pore-laden, trapping air within its structure, thereby marrying fragility with resilience.
A product of 1930s NASA innovation, aerogels' genesis involved evolving from a simple gel to a robust, lightweight material retaining its structure post-solvent removal. The material withstands extreme temperatures up to 21,632 °F (12,000 °C) and pressures 4,000 times its weight - features overqualified for everyday carry but vital for space exploration.
NASA developed ways of creating aerogels that are polymer-reinforced. These aerogels are stronger and can be translucent. Image credit: NASA.
NASA's utilisation of aerogel spans insulating spacecraft to capturing comet particles—a testament to its versatility and Coperni's bag as the largest object fashioned from this nanomaterial. This piece, a highlight of Coperni's Fall/Winter 2024 collection, debuted in Paris, though its availability and price remain under wraps.
Coperni's foray into integrating space-age materials into their designs isn't a first. Last year's unveiling of a bag made from 1968 French moon rock resin underscored their commitment to merging archaeological intrigue with modern design—a fusion of past, present, and future, albeit with a hefty price tag (£35,000 to be exact.)
This pivot towards utilising materials with extraterrestrial origins speaks volumes of Coperni's vision, seamlessly blending the realms of technology and haute couture, catering to the women who appreciate the convergence of science and style. Sign us up to the waitlist…
The Science behind Silica Aerogel:
Aerogel Anatomy… Not Your Typical Gel
Contrary to what their name might suggest, aerogels stand apart with their solid, rigid structure, shattering the expectation of a gel-like consistency. Despite their fragile appearance, aerogels can withstand significant pressure before succumbing to shattering – a characteristic known as friability. However, the newest iterations of aerogels have evolved past this brittle nature, showcasing a robustness that belies their delicate structure. At the heart of their strength is a microstructure composed of spherical particles, weaving together in an almost fractal pattern to form a highly porous yet surprisingly resilient material.
Airy Insulators
Aerogels are marvels of lightness, boasting a composition that can be up to 99.98% air. This airy structure doesn't just contribute to its feather-light weight; it also endows aerogels with their impressive thermal insulation properties. By trapping air within their porous networks, aerogels effectively minimise heat transfer, making them stellar insulators against heat conduction and convection. However, when it comes to blocking infrared radiation, aerogels step back into the realm of mediocrity, allowing radiative heat transfer to pass through.
Touch and Feel
Handling aerogel is a unique experience; its dry, desiccant nature can draw moisture from the skin, leading to dryness with prolonged contact. This characteristic underscores the importance of wearing gloves when working with aerogel over extended periods. Aerogel's slight coloration, a result of Rayleigh scattering, adds a visually intriguing aspect to its appearance, casting a smoky blue or yellowish hue depending on the background.