Scientists are developing a simple device that easily captures carbon
We all know that our planet faces a major challenge – climate change.
A big part of this problem is the carbon dioxide (CO2) that industry emits into the air.
Too much CO2 is not good for our atmosphere.
But what if we could capture that CO2 before it escapes and reuse it? Scientists have been hard at work and there is some exciting news!
It is currently not easy to capture CO2. The most common method uses a chemical called an amine to “capture” the CO2. Imagine a sticky hand reaching for a ball.
This is how amines work with CO2.
However, this method requires a lot of energy, heat and large machines. So it’s a bit like using a big, powerful vacuum to pick up a small piece of paper – not very efficient!
But scientists Fang-Yu Kuo, Sung Eun Jerng and Betar Gallant had a brilliant idea. They thought, “Why not use electricity to do this job?”
And not just any electricity, but electricity that comes from clean sources such as the sun and wind. So they began work on an electrical device — or “electrochemical cell” — that could easily capture and release CO2.
This is how your clever device works:
Inside is a special liquid that contains amines and another chemical.
When the device is on, it uses electricity to move charged particles (ions).
These ions go to the CO2 and bind to it, much like a magnet sticking to metal. In the process, the CO2 is captured.
When the device is off, the opposite happens. The ions release the CO2, so it’s like the magnet releasing the metal.
The scientists tested different ions to see which worked best.
They found that potassium and zinc ions were the best team. These ions were used at the heart of the device – its battery-like parts called the cathode and anode.
The best part? This device does not require as much energy as other methods. It’s like using a small, gentle handheld vacuum instead of the big, powerful vacuum.
And it doesn’t wear out that quickly! After several uses, the device still worked almost as well as when it was new.
This new invention is a bright spot. If we can use such devices in industries, especially those that cannot easily switch to cleaner methods, we can reduce many carbon emissions. That means a cleaner atmosphere and a brighter future for our planet.
In short, ours scientist have given us a fantastic tool in the fight against climate change. While it’s still early days, with more research and support, this could be of vital importance to our environment!
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