Abstract: An acrogel composite includes aerogel particles and an encapsulator. The aerogel particles are coated with the encapsulator to yield an acrogel composite. Making an aerogel composite includes combining an encapsulator and aerogel particles, mixing the encapsulator and the aerogel particles to yield a granular blend including coated acrogel particles, and increasing a rate of mixing over a length of time to yield the aerogel composite.

Abstract: Assessing a thermal conductivity of a viscoelastic material in a steady state using a conduction method includes i) allowing a sample of the viscoelastic material to reach thermal equilibrium in a liquid at a first temperature, ii) assessing a heat flow of the sample at the first temperature, iii) repeating i) and ii) at one or more additional temperatures, and iv) assessing the thermal conductivity of the viscoelastic material based on the heat flow of the sample at the first temperature and the one or more additional temperatures, a cross-sectional area of the sample, and a temperature-thickness gradient of the sample at thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: Assessing a thermal conductivity of a viscoelastic material in a steady state using a conduction method includes i) allowing a sample of the viscoelastic material to reach thermal equilibrium in a liquid at a first temperature, ii) assessing a heat flow of the sample at the first temperature, iii) repeating i) and ii) at one or more additional temperatures, and iv) assessing the thermal conductivity of the viscoelastic material based on the heat flow of the sample at the first temperature and the one or more additional temperatures, a cross-sectional area of the sample, and a temperature-thickness gradient of the sample at thermal equilibrium.