1. Aerogel texture

Compared with conventional xerogels, aerogels have a significantly greater pore volume. However, although their specific surface area is large, it is not very different from that of the same gel dried in the conventional way. Measuring the textural characteristics of aerogels requires a good understanding of the modifications that can be induced by measurement techniques. The low elastic modulus values and low permeability of gels (cf. § 3.1).