Image credit: Rob Lavinsky
Researchers, led by Professor Ian Power at Trent University, have created a revolutionary way to produce magnesite (MgCO3) at room temperature.
This mineral can capture greenhouse gases (CO2) from the atmosphere and can used to slow down global warming.
By determining how magnesite forms at low temperatures, the team developed a method that would dramatically accelerate crystallization which otherwise would take thousands of years on Earth's surface.
The method consisted of using polystyrene microspheres as a catalyst. As a result, magnesite would form within 72 days.
Quote from Professor Ian Power, “For now, we recognize that this is an experimental process, and will need to be scaled up before we can be sure that magnesite can be used in carbon sequestration (taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and permanently storing it as magnesite).”
This mineral can capture greenhouse gases (CO2) from the atmosphere and can used to slow down global warming.
By determining how magnesite forms at low temperatures, the team developed a method that would dramatically accelerate crystallization which otherwise would take thousands of years on Earth's surface.
The method consisted of using polystyrene microspheres as a catalyst. As a result, magnesite would form within 72 days.
Quote from Professor Ian Power, “For now, we recognize that this is an experimental process, and will need to be scaled up before we can be sure that magnesite can be used in carbon sequestration (taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and permanently storing it as magnesite).”
Written and condensed by B.Li
Read more about this fascinating story at: www.sci-news.com
No comments:
Write comments