Gas storage reinvented with nano-sized tanks

A new process for catching gas from the environment and holding it indefinitely in molecular-sized containers has been developed by a team of University of Calgary researchers, who say it represents a novel method of gas storage that could yield benefits for capturing, storing and transporting gases more safely and efficiently.


In a paper published in the current online version of the world's leading material science journal Nature-Materials, U of C chemistry professors George Shimizu and David Cramb and chemistry graduate student Brett Chandler describe their invention of "molecular nanovalves." The researchers developed a unique crystal structure that is able to convert from a series of open channels to a collection of air-tight chambers using simple controls. Potential applications of the nanotechnology include improved methods of capturing and storing gases such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen for environmental or fuel cell purposes. The storage method also allows for high densities of gas to be stored in the material without the need for high pressures, which raise safety concerns related to traditional gas storage techniques.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• nanotechnology
• gas
• storage
• Brett
• Chandler
• University
• of
• Calgary

[sapumale]

naneedj.info I love being outdoors preferably

[abram730]

@GaunletofDestruction hydrogen atoms are small and leak quite easily.. Considering how much natural gas leaks, the leaking would be much greater with hydrogen using similar methods. So the tank wouldn't need to crack for it to leak.. Ever notice how balloons deflate a bit over time? Kinda like that.

Modeling of hydrogen leaking using the same leak rates of natural gas were bad.

[GaunletofDestruction]

@abram730 It leaks, becuase of pressure increases due to the outside envornment and causes the tank to crack right?

[inflatinggirl]

Could this be used to inflate things e.g. life rafts, weatherballoons etc

[SenatorMark4]

Can you provide an estimate of pounds H per pounds storage media? It would be good if you correlated this directly to a typical car gas tank and your gasoline equivalent energy stored in H.

[capacitortube]

bad news for oil industries

[abram730]

The issue with hydrogen is leakage. If we solve storage then we could use hydrogen in a big way.