Carbon Dioxide to Ethanol: Magic or Science?
There have been many instances in the history of human beings where accidental discoveries are some of the most relied and important things we use to this very day. These things were discovered when one was trying to look for or find someone else. Something similar happened recently where a team of scientists accidentally turned carbon dioxide into ethanol.
Basically speaking, ethanol is a form of a carbon chain. Carbon dioxide is carbon based as well. Scientifically speaking, both are carbon forms but in completely different molecular structures which makes their properties, the way they act and react is completely different.
According to Engadget, scientists used a bunch of Nano-spikes made out of mainly silicon and tested it out on carbon dioxide. What the scientists noticed is that the nano-spikes acts as a catalyst and in a reverse combustion reaction it turned the carbon dioxide into ethanol. All the atoms needed in ethanol were available in the mixture and so this was entirely possible, but never thought of before.
Now what does this mean? Popular Mechanics reported that carbon dioxide, although a good source of life for plants and other things involving in the growth of vegetation, is bad for people.
There are a lot of extra carbon dioxide that is not really needed at some point. Ethanol, on the other hand, is fuel. It is a type of carbon structure which makes for efficient fuel and have been managed to create a low heat environment without much manpower.
It is an alcohol fuel usually distilled from plant materials including corn and sugar. Ethanol is non-toxic, dissolves in water, and is biodegradable making it an environment-friendly substance.
This could very well be the start of a new trend in fuel which could make it more efficient and more environmentally and economically friendly.