3D Printed Fibers Scrub CO2
Today's "What If?" is about Apollo 13 astronauts and 3D printers. If they had a 3D printer, it would have been helpful. They wouldn't have needed to use duct tape and procedure list covers. They could have used 3D printed enzymatic CO2 filters instead. Unfortunately, time travel would have also been required.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have developed a 3D printed material that can remove carbon dioxide from the environment. The material is made from bio-compatible aerogel and uses carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that can rapidly convert CO2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The material has potential in environmental scrubbing.
The researchers used an aerogel to trap CA molecules and prevent denaturation. The polymers were mixed with photoinitiators and CA solution, then extruded through a nozzle. UV light cured the thread instantly. The thread can be used as a mono-filament or printed into a grid.
The filament is great at catching CO2. It got rid of 24% of the gas from a mix. The enzyme in it seems safe too. It was fine even when folded or twisted. This is good news for making things called catalytic textiles. They help the environment and could make big bioreactors simpler and cheaper. This is really exciting!
The pictures are from NC State and Spectrum News 1.
