Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Aerogel

Aerogel with Peter Tsou

Reason: This is a little undersize for a normal FP, I know, however, Aerogels are not available in any quantities outside of NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and related agencies, so the image is essentially irreplaceable. This is one of my favourite science images, and I think well-deserving of an FP. Vanished user ^talk 18:48, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Proposed caption: Peter Tsou of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory holding a sample of aerogel - an extremely lightweight substance created by replacing all the liquid in a gel - usually silica gel - with gas, by means of supercritical drying, a process similar to freeze-drying. This creates a nanofoam, a foam with most of its bubbles under 100 nanometres in size, giving the aerogel its unusual properties: Silica aerogel is the lowest-density solid yet created, actually lighter than air when in a vacuum (outside of a vacuum, air fills the pores, upping its density to slightly greater than air). It is also the best insulator known. Due to its unusual appearance and light weight, it has gained the nickname "frozen smoke".
Articles this image appears in: Peter Tsou, Aerogel
Creator: NASA

Support as nominator Vanished user ^talk 18:48, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose resolution is too low to see if the Guy has some hair inside his ears. Ericd 19:20, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
- ...That is a truly unique oppose. Vanished user ^talk 19:30, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
  - ...My pleasure is to watch hirez pictures a full-rez. No matter of the topic ;-). Ericd 19:48, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
    - Well, I stop joking, in fact I think the other one is better. Ericd 08:54, 27 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Neutral - This other aerogel FP shows the transparency just as well, but also demonstrates its amazing strength. This non-FP also shows its transparency but also its amazing thermal insulation properties. I'm just not sure what this nom demonstrates that those others don't. The only reason I might consider it is because it is rather a famous image of the stuff. --Sean 19:55, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
- I don't know - the matches picture is confusing, as it has the glass disk atop the aerogel, and the thing holding it up is hard to spot. And the Brick one doesn't really show much of the Aerogel, just a glimpse of it under the brick. I suppose the one with crayons might work, but.... Vanished user ^talk 21:21, 26 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose - Not as good as the other aerogel FP and I'm not sure why you think it's irreplaceable when we already have an existing FP and other pictures besides. This picture shows none of aerogel's interesting features (strength, insulation, etc); it might as well be a cube of jello. Matt Deres 01:08, 27 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose. It's a nice picture, but the other two Sean linked are both far more encyclopedic. Since this one is too small, it doesn't really seem up to the FP level. --Dhartung | Talk 06:48, 27 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose What with there being another FP of the subject material that showcases its characteristics a little bit more. SingCal 00:51, 29 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Not promoted MER-C 03:07, 1 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]