The Lightest Solid on Earth: Can Aerogel Rethink How We Build?” – Ep 83 with Peter Pescatore

Better Buildings For Humans

Apr 22, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 83

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Episode description

In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Peter Pescatore, Global Commercial Lead at Cabot Corporation, for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating materials in building science: aerogel. Often called "frozen smoke," this super-light, ultra-insulating material has captivated engineers and designers for decades—but is still flying under the radar in mainstream construction.

Peter breaks down how aerogel works on a microscopic level, its unique ability to diffuse daylight while achieving R values up to four times higher than traditional insulation (with a U-value as low as 0.28 W/m²K), and its surprisingly diverse use cases—from heritage building retrofits to electric vehicle batteries. They also explore the role aerogel can play in the circular economy and its fire-resistant properties.

If you’re passionate about next-gen materials, thermal comfort, or simply want to future-proof your designs, this one’s a must-listen.

CONTACT:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cabot-corporation

https://www.facebook.com/CabotCorporation/

https://twitter.com/CabotCorp

https://www.youtube.com/@cabotcorp

https://vimeo.com/cabotcorporation

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-pescatore-ba2baa/

Where To Find Us:

https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/

www.advancedglazings.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcast