The
main global issue of the modern world is air pollution. Cars, plants,
chemical laboratories spoil the air a lot. Scientists have invented many
kinds of air and water filters which are either expensive or useless. But it is possible to make much better filters using modern technologies.
Many air-refining systems are based on sorbents. Sorbent is the matter which absorbs particles
of gas or other substances. The most known sorbent, the coal, is used
in respirators in order to refine air inhaling. However, it cannot
protect us from some high molecular compounds, such as aldehydes.
Formaldehyde, for example, causes death.
The
latest science inventions gave us an opportunity to make
nano-structured membranes made of carbon. The word "nano-structured”
means that every membrane has billions of nano-holes. The diameter of
each hole is about 1 nm (one nanometer equals 10 in power of -9 meter).
The only compounds, which are able to go through the membrane are
molecules of oxygen and nitrogen, while molecules of other substances
will stick there because they are larger than 1 nm.
These
filters are quitе cheap and very effective. Also, they will not become
obstructed for a long time. The membrane can be used as a cartridge for
gas masks (for lab workers) and ventilation systems (in chemical
factories and plants). The approximate price of one square meter of
membrane is about 800$.
PS This
project idea belongs to me and a few other high-school students. We
developed it at RUSNANO Summer School in June, 2011. The aim of Summer
School was to involve young people in nanotechnological industry.
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