Environmental researchers have unveiled a potentially game-changing discovery: a porous material capable of storing significant amounts of greenhouse gases. This development offers a powerful new tool in the fight against climate change.
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The research team, led by scientists from the UK’s Heriot-Watt University, utilized computational modeling to design the material. Their findings suggest its unique structure holds immense potential for capturing both carbon dioxide and sulphur hexafluoride, a particularly potent greenhouse gas.
“This discovery is a major step forward,” said Professor Marc Little, a lead researcher on the project. “The need for innovative porous materials is crucial in tackling the immense challenges posed by climate change.”
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The newly developed material is an organic supermolecule, essentially microscopic cages formed by the combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and fluorine. This cage-like structure allows for the efficient capture and storage of greenhouse gas molecules.
“While tree planting remains a valuable method for carbon sequestration, its impact is slow-acting,” explains Professor Little. “This novel porous material offers a human-made solution capable of rapidly capturing greenhouse gases from the environment.”
Beyond this breakthrough, researchers are actively exploring other potential carbon capture solutions. These include boron-based two-dimensional structures with exceptional surface area, ideal for capturing emissions from power plants.
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Additionally, scientists are investigating the modification of concrete, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions due to cement production. Studies suggest that incorporating materials like baking soda into concrete could transform it into a net carbon absorber.
But the big hurdle is that many of these new materials are basically lab experiments. That’s a challenge for anybody who wants to use material science to tackle climate change — how do you make the leap from lab to market?
Reference- Journal Nature Synthesis, Heriot-Watt University, Interesting Engineering, Futurism