2010 - Deanna D'Alessandro: Mopping up gases

A SPONGE THAT FILTERS HOT AIR AND CAPTURES CARBON DIOXIDE

We need better ways of capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power stations and industry. And we won't be using hydrogen cars until we've developed practical ways of carrying enough hydrogen gas in the fuel tank. Deanna D'Alessandro's understanding of basic chemistry has led her to create new, incredibly absorbent chemicals that could do both these jobs and much more.

It's all to do with surface area. Working in California and in Sydney she has constructed crystals that are full of minute holes. One teaspoon of the most effective of her chemicals has the surface area of a rugby field. What's more, the size and shape of the pores can be customised using light. So she believes she can create molecular sponges that will mop up carbon dioxide, hydrogen, or in theory almost any gas -- and then release it on cue.

Her achievements have won her a $20,000 L'Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowship which will provide equipment, travel support and a summer vacation student to assist her research.

More details here:
http://www.scienceinpublic.com/loreal/fellows/deannadalessandro

Видео 2010 - Deanna D'Alessandro: Mopping up gases канала Science in Public