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What¡¯s in the atmosphere and how can we use it?

13 Nov 2024
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Many solutions are up in the air ¨C quite literally. The atmosphere holds many valuable raw materials that can be utilized in a variety of ways. We can use a number of while we¡¯re at it.

For instance, we have been able to recover oxygen and nitrogen from the atmosphere through air distillation for a century already. Hospitals use liquid nitrogen to freeze important substances and liquid oxygen to treat patients with breathing difficulties. Rarer gases are also in regular use.

¡°The gaseous molecules in the atmosphere are already in good use, but there is still a need for more selective separation processes that consume less energy and for more efficient recycling,¡± says .

in products such as steel and pharmaceuticals, ammonia in fertilizers, and xenon as a safe anesthetic.

Read about atmospheric gases in satellites, phones and light bulbs: