New Plastic Could Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

[TechBear_Seattle]

Source: LiveScience.com via Yahoo

A plastic tweaked to mimic cellular membranes can separate carbon dioxide from natural gas and could help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, scientists say.

The technology, detailed in the Oct. 12 issue of the journal Science, might also be modified to isolate natural gas from decomposing garbage or filter impurities from water, the researchers say.

Like a selective sponge, the new plastic allows carbon dioxide or other small molecules to pass through its hourglass-shaped pores but blocks the passage of methane, the primary molecule in natural gas.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20071024/sc_livescience/newplasticcouldreducecarbondioxideemissions

[eppur_se_muova]

1. "get by with 500 percent less space"...

That's some quality science journalism there. :thumbsup:

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. True n/t

[Bossy Monkey]

5. 'specially so as the original quote was "500 times less space"

Whip me, beat me, make me go back to middle school, but I'm pretty sure that's different. Original here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071011142625.htm

Of course, livescience.com claims to be provocative; they never said anything about having English or math skills or, you know, being accurate.

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. Very cool! n/t

[Javaman]

4. So then do we bury this "plastic CO2 sponges" underground?

sadly the day has passed where just cutting all emissions will solve our problem.

I'm not for producing more plastic (since it's made from fossil fuels), but if one begets the other...

or perhaps a plastic made from potato starch or corn starch would help.