In the fast-paced and competitive world of materials discovery and porous materials research, producing results and conclusions quickly is essential. Professor Andrew Cooper, one of the most distinguished researchers in materials discovery, has first-hand experience of how partnering with Micromeritics, a versatile and knowledgeable service provider, can help towards successfully meeting research aims and objectives.

Fossil fuels are widely used. However their use raises serious environmental concerns.1 Burning fossil fuels produces about 21.3 billion tons of CO2 per year, and since only half this amount can be naturally absorbed, an increase of 10.65 billion tons of atmospheric CO2 is produced annually.2 A global movement towards the reduction in CO2 emissions has commenced, as we prepare for a more sustainable future.

One vital area of research to tackle environmental concerns is the development of carbon capture storage (CCS) technologies. With the aid of Micromeritics instruments and technical specialists, professor Cooper was able to successfully assess the use of polymer sponges for carbon dioxide capture.

“In 2014 we conducted research into the use of polymer sponges for chemoselective carbon dioxide capture. As with previous research we enlisted multiple instruments from Micromeritics for the analysis, meaning we knew our results would be reliable,” said Cooper. “However, when we needed specific guidance on the technical input for a paper, a research scientist from Micromeritics stepped in and collaborated with my research team, which is out of the norm for a service provider. Without the expertise of Jason Exley from Micromeritics, it wouldn’t have been possible to complete the analysis, and subsequently we wouldn’t have been published within the Journal of American Chemical Society.”

1) UCSUSA. (2015). The hidden cost of fossil fuels. Available: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/the-hidden-cost-of-fossil.html#.VngN6GdFBjo.

2) U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015). Greenhouse gases, climate change and energy. Available: http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html.

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