Scientists in University of Calgary, have produced a novel approach to capture and store gases from the environment. It is said that this approach eliminates the use of special storage tanks and security concerns which are highly necessary in storing gases with high densities.
In this technique, a unique solid structure, made by modifying a chemical material called barium organotrisulfonate is used as a storage material. The material consists of a series of open channels which can be converted in to a collection of closed air tight chambers when filled with air. This conversion is done by heating the material—a quick process that encloses the nanovalves in the material. To release the trapped gases, water is added to the material to re-open the closed nanovalves.
"The process is highly controllable and because we're not breaking any strong chemical bonds, the material is completely recyclable and can be used indefinitely," says George Shimizu, a professor in Chemistry at University of Calgary.
According to the researchers, this new process would become a highly helpful tool in developing hydrogen fuel cells and to develop filters for trapping gases like CO2 or hydrogen sulfide that are generated from various industrial operations.
Read the original article ; Category : Nanotechnology, Chemistry
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Molecular Nanovalves- Nanotechnology for Storing Gas
