Very much in need today, aerogels that “can absorb oil from spills or stop pollutants for ever reaching the environment” are being created. The aerogel sponge is currently being tested and is expected to be able to clean rocks and birds covered in oil. Read about this amazing material in an article by Eric Bland entitled, “NASA-Inspired Aerogel Could Sponge Up Oil Spills” (Discovery News. May 4, 2010).