DISCOVERY

摘要

Machines smaller than the width of a human hair could one day help clean up CO_2 pollution in the oceans. Nano-engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have designed enzyme-functionalised micromotors that rapidly zoom around in water, remove CO_2 and convert it into a usable solid form. The proof of concept study represents a promising route to mitigate the buildup of the greenhouse gas in the environment, say researchers. "We're excited about the possibility of using these micromotors to combat ocean acidification and global warming," said Virendra Singh, a postdoctoral scientist in the research group led by nano-engineering professor and chair Joseph Wang. In their experiments the team demonstrated that the micromot-ers rapidly decarbonated water solutions that were saturated with CO_2. Within five minutes the micromotors removed 90% of the gas from a solution of deionised water. The micromotors proved equally as effective in a seawater solution, where they removed 88% of the CO_2 in the same timeframe.