Innovation Anthology #106: Professor, Department of Soil Sciences

Dr. George Shimizu and Dr. David Cramb

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Who needs a hefty gas tank when you can go nano?

Scientists from the University of Calgary have developed a new process for capturing and storing gas. And they call their invention nano valves.

According to lead researcher Dr. George Shimizu, the nano valve material is based on the orderly crystal structure of barium organotrisulphate.

The nano material mechanically traps gas at high densities, so there’s no need for high pressure storage tanks.

The nano material converts from a series of open channels into a collection of airtight chambers. This transition is controlled by applying heat to close the nano valves.

The nano valves can then be reopened by adding water. This releases gas bubbles trapped by the crystals.

Dr. Shimizu says the nano valve material can be recycled and used indefinitely because no strong chemical bonds are broken in the process.

The University of Calgary scientists expect they can develop more nano valve materials using other chemicals like sodium and lithium.

The scientists believe their nano valves could be used to make filters that capture and store greenhouse gases. And they help in the development of hydrogen fuel cells.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY, I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

Photo Credit: Ken Bendiktsen, University of Calgary

Guest

Bing Si, PhD,

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada,

Sponsor

 

Program Date: 2008-02-07