Aquaman Powers? New Crystals may allow those
A group of scientists from the University of Southern Denmark have created what they are calling “crystalline materials that can bind and store oxygen in high concentrations”. These scientists have figured out how to store large quantities worth of oxygen into a bucket full of crystals.
The “Aquaman Crystal” is sponge-like in consistency and uses cobalt bound in an organic molecule. “Cobalt gives the new material precisely the molecular and electronic structure that enables it to absorb oxygen from its surroundings,” McKenzie said. “Small amounts of metals are essential for the absorption of oxygen, so actually it is not entirely surprising to see this effect in our new material.” Scientists are now looking at whether the release of oxygen can be triggered by light, though at this stage the crystal is difficult to synthesize in large amounts due to its complex chemical formula.
“ A few grains contain enough oxygen for one breath, and as the material can absorb oxygen from the water around the diver, and supply the diver with it, the diver will not need to bring more than these few grains”, Professor Christine Mckenzie explains.
The proper name for this invention is [{(bpbp)Co2II(NO3)}2(NH2bdc)](NO3)2 * 2H2O , and the material can store oxygen at a much higher concentration than oxygen tanks. It would be be far smaller and lighter to carry, and can slowly release oxygen when put under a small amount of heat.
This valuable invention could also be used for lung cancer patients who must carry heavy tanks around with them, and will only need to carry a small amount of the crystals with them.
But we all know why we want this material to work! So we can breathe underwater like our favorite fictional characters!
Article by: Ariann Aguilar
