21 July 2009

Moleculer bowl catches carbon dioxide

How many times have you cringed after hearing, “it was just an accident?” This time that phrase may end up with positive results as a bowl-shaped molecule can pull carbon dioxide out of the air with the results helping deal with global warming, including genetically engineering microbes to manufacture those carbon dioxide “catchers.”

A bowl-shaped molecule (shown) that can pull carbon dioxide out of the air may bring new possibilities for dealing with global warming.

The “accident” occurred when another scientist discovered the molecule while doing research unrelated to global climate change, said J. A. Tossell, scientist and professor at the University of Maryland. Carbon dioxide was collecting in the molecule, and the scientist realized it was coming from air in the lab. Tossell found these qualities might make it useful as an industrial absorbent for removing carbon dioxide.

Tossell’s new computer modeling studies found the molecule might be well-suited for removing carbon dioxide directly from ambient air, in addition to its previously described potential use as an absorbent for carbon dioxide from electric power plant and other smokestacks.

“It is also conceivable that living organisms may be developed which are capable of emplacing structurally ion receptors within their cell membranes,” Tossell said. While this is a relatively new discovery, more research will continue.

For related information, go to www.isa.org/manufacturing_automation.