Phys.org October 9, 2018
Researchers at Ohio State University created molecular baskets with amino acids around the rims. The amino acids helped find simulated nerve agents in a liquid environment and direct them into the basket. They started a chemical reaction by shining a light with a particular wavelength on the baskets which caused the amino acids to shed a carbon dioxide molecule, effectively trapped the nerve agents inside the baskets. The new molecule complex, no longer soluble in water, precipitates from the liquid and becomes a solid which can be filtered out. It is possible to develop baskets that will target a variety of different toxins. Their goal is to develop nanoparticles that can trap toxic compounds not only in the environment, but also from the human body…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE 1 , 2 ,
Credit: The Ohio State University