VOA标准英语2010年-Dry Water Makes Waves in Fight Against

Ben Carter
Powdered material called "dry water," could provide a new way to store carbon dioxide in an effort to fight global warming.
Dry water looks a lot like fine white sand, which isn't surprising since what makes it dry is that each tiny water droplet¹ is covered with water-repelling silica, the stuff of ordinary beach sand.

The coating makes it impossible for the water molecules² to recombine and turn back into a liquid. And the fine powder that results can bond chemically with gases and form useful compounds called hydrates. University of Liverpool researcher Ben Carter says, Dry water is quick and easy to make.  "by blending silicon³ and water together at high speeds."

Dry water is nothing new. Patented in 1968, it captured interest early on for its potential in the cosmetics⁴ industry. But in recent years Carter and his colleagues have focused on some important new uses for dry water's unique properties, beginning with its ability to bond with methane⁵. They're hopeful that might someday provide a safer way to store methane fuel in natural gas-powered vehicles.

"Methane hydrate was our particular target, as the improved storage and transport of methane as natural gas is a key part of its development as a greener alternative to other fossil fuels," Carter says. "We've gone on to show that the same can be done with CO2, forming a CO2 hydrate, which will store three times as much CO2 in the same time using dry water as you would with bulk water."

Carter says that, because it can absorb such large amounts of carbon dioxide, the dry-water hydrate could prove to be an effective method for reducing climate-changing gases in the atmosphere. Carter says other lab experiments indicate that dry water could be made more recyclable by adding a gelling agent to the water before it is blended. "And this dry gel is more robust⁶ and capable of going through multiple cycles of gas uptake and release."

The chemists also see environmental benefits in dry water's use in the manufacture of drugs, foods ingredients and other consumer products.

Lab tests suggest it could greatly speed up the catalytic reactions involved in making these goods, and permit greener, more energy-efficient chemical processing. They also believe the dry water technology shows promise as a way of safely storing and shipping⁷ potentially harmful liquids, by transforming them into a dry, stable powder.

Carter and colleagues discussed these and other applications for dry water at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
 

1 droplet   

n.小滴，飞沫

参考例句：

• The rate of droplet growth under different conditions can be evaluated.可以计算在不同条件下的云滴增长率。
• The test results showed that increasing droplet size was associated with better stability.试验结果表明，增加液滴尺寸将使稳定性提高。

2 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

3 silicon   

n.硅(旧名矽)

参考例句：

• This company pioneered the use of silicon chip.这家公司开创了使用硅片的方法。
• A chip is a piece of silicon about the size of a postage stamp.芯片就是一枚邮票大小的硅片。

4 cosmetics   

n.化妆品

参考例句：

• We sell a wide range of cosmetics at a very reasonable price. 我们以公道的价格出售各种化妆品。
• Cosmetics do not always cover up the deficiencies of nature. 化妆品未能掩饰天生的缺陷。

5 methane   

n.甲烷，沼气

参考例句：

• The blast was caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.爆炸是由数袋甲烷气体着火引起的。
• Methane may have extraterrestrial significance.甲烷具有星际意义。

6 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

7 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。