The main reason our planet is getting hotter and hotter is the continuous emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which trap the rays of the sun in the atmosphere of our planet and don’t let the heat get out. These emissions cannot be stopped completely considering our dependence on dirty fossil fuels. So is there no way by which we can control these harmful gases from the entering our atmosphere? The answer here is no. Scientists from UCLA have developed a new class of sponge-like crystals that can soak up carbon dioxide right near its source and prevents it from entering the atmosphere.
The crystals of the new substance called ZIFs or zeolitic imidazolate frameworks are grids of metal atoms and organic molecules that trap carbon dioxide as it drifts into its microscopic pores. These researchers have also stated that the atomic charges in these crystals prevent the gas molecules from coming out of the framework.
The system is so efficient that just one liter of ZIF-69 can trap and hold 83 liters of carbon dioxide. These crystals are specifically designed for their use in coal-fired power plants, factories and other sources of carbon dioxide. The idea here is to line the inside of smokestacks with a layer of ZIF. Here the crystals capture the harmful greenhouse gas which can be periodically cleaned and the carbon dioxide sucked out can be sequestered underground. But still the system is not as effective because it relies on a chemical reaction with a toxic liquid. This increases the overall production cost of electricity. The US department of Energy has estimated that retrofitting a power plant with such a system would double the cost of generating electricity, something which no body would really want.
Via: LA Times / Technology Review
