June 3rd, 2015 | by
Vandita
This is a great piece of news for scuba divers, swimmers, as well as
non-swimmers – basically anyone who wants to go underwater, stay
submerged and breathe as a fish. Scientists from the University of
Southern Denmark and the University of Sydney, recently developed an
oxygen absorbing crystal, Aquaman Crystal, or
“[{(bpbp)Co2II(NO3)}2(NH2bdc)](NO3)2 * 2H2O”
capable of pulling oxygen out of both air and water. The crystalline
material can bind and store oxygen in high concentrations. The stored
oxygen can be released again when and where it is needed.
The study, by Professor Christine McKenzie and Jonas Sundberg, showed
that approximately 10 liters of microscopic crystal grains, could be
enough to completely suck the oxygen out of a room.
“This could be valuable for lung patients who today must carry
heavy oxygen tanks with them. But also divers may one day be able to
leave the oxygen tanks at home and instead get oxygen from this material
as it “filters” and concentrates oxygen from surrounding air or water. 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,” McKenzie said.
