 |
|
Rice U. lab leads hunt for new zeolites
November 03, 2009In all the world, there are about 200 types of zeolite, a compound of silicon, aluminum and oxygen that gives civilization such things as laundry detergent, kitty litter and gasoline. But thanks to computations by Rice University professor Michael Deem and his colleagues, it appears there are -- or could be -- more types of zeolites than once thought.
A lot more.
A project that goes back 20 years came to fruition earlier this year when Deem, Rice's John W. Cox Professor in Biochemical and Genetic Engineering and a professor of physics and astronomy, and his team came up with a list that shows the structures of more than 2.7 million zeolite-like materials.
Of those, they found the thermodynamic characteristics of as many as 314,000 are near enough to currently known zeolites that it should be possible to manufacture these materials.
Creation of the public database is the focus of a new paper, "Computational Discovery of New Zeolite-Like Materials," posted online by the American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry C and planned as the cover of the Dec. 24 print edition. The paper's authors include Ramdas Pophale, a postdoctoral research associate in Deem's lab; Phillip Cheeseman, senior scientific applications analyst at Purdue's Rosen Center for Advanced Computing; and David Earl, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.
Zeolites can be viewed as "a membrane that will only let molecules of a certain size pass through," Deem said. "But they also do other things. They have an affinity for some molecules, so they're used to absorb odors, for instance, in flower shops."
In laundry detergents, zeolites trade soft ions for hard ones in the water, and the petrochemical industry uses zeolites to crack petroleum into gasoline, diesel and other products. After the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, zeolites were used to adsorb radioactive ions.
Zeolites are a fine lattice, a molecular sieve that can let molecules of a certain size pass while blocking others. They can also adsorb molecules, attracting and gripping certain substances -- for which cats and their owners are grateful.
Natural zeolites are often the product of volcanic activity, as rocks, ash and alkaline water combine and crystallize over thousands of years. "The term zeolite comes from the combination of two Greek words that mean 'boiling' and 'stone,'" Deem said.
About a third of zeolites used for commercial purposes are mined, while the rest are synthesized into custom configurations that tend to be more pure, he said.
The fact that only 200 or so zeolites are known makes the creation of Deem's database a real breakthrough, as it gives industries new clues to optimizing their techniques. "That's one possibility, to look for related materials," he said. "In many catalytic applications, there's only one material that currently works."
It took serious computer time to figure out all the possibilities, said Deem, who has lately gained a measure of fame for his study of viruses, particularly H1N1. He began looking at zeolites two decades ago while at Exxon and published his first paper on the subject in the journal Nature. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the use of the Deem lab's Zefsa II software, researchers needed three years to complete the computations on the NSF's TeraGrid node at Purdue. "I think we were the biggest user of computer time there in 2006, and the fifth- or sixth-largest on the TeraGrid," Deem said. "At Purdue, we were making use of unused computer cycles, like the SETI@home project that searches for extraterrestrial life using people's home computers. We finished around the start of 2009."
The "big question," he said, is how to turn theoretical zeolites into real ones, a project his lab plans to pursue. "A couple of things have to happen. One is that we have to identify materials that look like they would have good properties, and then we have to find a synthesis mechanism to make those materials."
But how does one narrow the practicalities from 2.7 million possibilities? "It depends on the properties we're looking for," Deem said. "We have some ideas of what's practical, but of course we would love to work with other people."
The work received support from the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Program and from the NSF.
View the paper online at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp906984z
The database is available at http://sdpd.univ-lemans.fr/cod/pcod/
Rice University
Of those, they found the thermodynamic characteristics of as many as 314,000 are near enough to currently known zeolites that it should be possible to manufacture these materials.
Creation of the public database is the focus of a new paper, "Computational Discovery of New Zeolite-Like Materials," posted online by the American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry C and planned as the cover of the Dec. 24 print edition. The paper's authors include Ramdas Pophale, a postdoctoral research associate in Deem's lab; Phillip Cheeseman, senior scientific applications analyst at Purdue's Rosen Center for Advanced Computing; and David Earl, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.
Zeolites can be viewed as "a membrane that will only let molecules of a certain size pass through," Deem said. "But they also do other things. They have an affinity for some molecules, so they're used to absorb odors, for instance, in flower shops."
In laundry detergents, zeolites trade soft ions for hard ones in the water, and the petrochemical industry uses zeolites to crack petroleum into gasoline, diesel and other products. After the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, zeolites were used to adsorb radioactive ions.
Zeolites are a fine lattice, a molecular sieve that can let molecules of a certain size pass while blocking others. They can also adsorb molecules, attracting and gripping certain substances -- for which cats and their owners are grateful.
Natural zeolites are often the product of volcanic activity, as rocks, ash and alkaline water combine and crystallize over thousands of years. "The term zeolite comes from the combination of two Greek words that mean 'boiling' and 'stone,'" Deem said.
About a third of zeolites used for commercial purposes are mined, while the rest are synthesized into custom configurations that tend to be more pure, he said.
The fact that only 200 or so zeolites are known makes the creation of Deem's database a real breakthrough, as it gives industries new clues to optimizing their techniques. "That's one possibility, to look for related materials," he said. "In many catalytic applications, there's only one material that currently works."
It took serious computer time to figure out all the possibilities, said Deem, who has lately gained a measure of fame for his study of viruses, particularly H1N1. He began looking at zeolites two decades ago while at Exxon and published his first paper on the subject in the journal Nature. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the use of the Deem lab's Zefsa II software, researchers needed three years to complete the computations on the NSF's TeraGrid node at Purdue. "I think we were the biggest user of computer time there in 2006, and the fifth- or sixth-largest on the TeraGrid," Deem said. "At Purdue, we were making use of unused computer cycles, like the SETI@home project that searches for extraterrestrial life using people's home computers. We finished around the start of 2009."
The "big question," he said, is how to turn theoretical zeolites into real ones, a project his lab plans to pursue. "A couple of things have to happen. One is that we have to identify materials that look like they would have good properties, and then we have to find a synthesis mechanism to make those materials."
But how does one narrow the practicalities from 2.7 million possibilities? "It depends on the properties we're looking for," Deem said. "We have some ideas of what's practical, but of course we would love to work with other people."
The work received support from the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Program and from the NSF.
View the paper online at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp906984z
The database is available at http://sdpd.univ-lemans.fr/cod/pcod/
Rice University
Zeolites Current Events and Zeolites News RSSRapid heating prepares energy-saving zeolite for greater role in industrial separations
Thin-film zeolite membranes with tiny, molecule-sized pores are one step closer to replacing the energy-intensive processes now used in industrial separations, a group of academic researchers is reporting.
University of Minnesota researchers discover breakthrough method for chemical separations
A team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, have developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels industries.
Membrane breaks through performance barrier
Engineers have developed a new method for creating high-performance membranes from crystal sieves called zeolites; the method could increase the energy efficiency of chemical separations up to 50 times over conventional methods and enable higher production rates.
New materials can selectively capture carbon dioxide, UCLA chemists report
UCLA chemists report a major advance in reducing heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions in the Feb. 15 issue of the journal Science.
Rice takes zeolite design into 21st Century using teragrid
A room's design helps define how people interact inside it, and it's much the same in the molecular world. The atomic layout of molecular spaces can provoke very different reactions from chemicals that meet there, in much the way that an intimate bistro and a bustling cafeteria might evoke different interactions among dinners.
New reference materials support industrial zeolites
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued three new reference materials to support researchers studying the properties of commercially important zeolites.
Crystal sieves, born anew
The porous, sieve-like minerals known as zeolites have been used for decades in purifiers, filters and other devices.
Innovative nanomaterials processing points to advances in semiconductor optoelectronics
The study of semiconductor nanoparticles embedded in a matrix is currently a very active research area. These small particles have physicochemical properties quite different from those in the bulk material.
Absorbent materials for the storage of hydrogen
A research team from the Public University of Navarra has started a study of the design and development of absorbent materials that enable the storage of hydrogen, a clean fuel that can be used as an alternative to those derived from fossil fuels, such as petrol and diesel.
CrystalMaker Software wins 2004 eTrading Award for the South East
CrystalMaker Software Ltd, an Oxford company producing innovative software to visualize crystal and molecular structures, has won the eTrading category of the 2004 South East England eCommerce Awards. The 2004 eTrading Award was presented to Dr David Palmer, CrystalMaker Software's Managing Director, by David Sumner Smith, Enterprise Network Editor of the Sunday Times during a gala luncheon held recently. The eTrading Award citation praised the success of this small, British company, selling highly-specialised software direct to a worldwide market - with sales to 33 countries spread across 5 continents and including the world's major universities and research labs.
More Zeolites Current Events and Zeolites News Articles
 |
Super Z-lite Liquid 2 Oz Bottle by OmicaHealth.com Our supercharging process activates and transforms the natural volcanic silicate mineral zeolite through the addition of ocean plant derived ionic trace minerals combined with the humic/fulvic acids to become a highly bio-available and potent complex. Our research reveals that the effectiveness of all of our minerals is enhanced, balanced and diversified in their effects due to our supercharging process. After this mineral complex incubates and bonds together, we can use this supercharged mineral complex to extract our Super-z-lite liquid extract without the use of solvents and chemicals which would normally be required under natural conditions. |
 |
ZEOLITE PURE - 440 gram container by ZEO Health Ltd. ZEOLITE PURE is the amazing all natural mineral Zeolite that has been proven to absorb the toxins, free radicals, and heavy metals from your body, as well as boosting the immune system. This mineral will also balance the bodys pH. Foreign cells can not grow in a balanced pH environment. For those not wanting to take capsules, this is pure powdered Zeolite in an economical 440 gram container. |
 |
Simple Solution Natural Pet Odor Eliminating Zeolite Crystals, 16-Ounce Pouch by Simple Solution A 100-percent natural zeolite volcanic mineral with an ionic charge that attracts odors. Millions of micro-sized pores in this natural mineral provide superior odor absorption and long-lasting results. Completely removes pet odors from carpets, crates, litter boxes, pet bedding and floor surfaces. Place or hang pouch in odorous area. Allow four to six hours for complete removal of orders. After six months of use, or as needed, regenerate pouch by placing in the sun or dry environment for six or more hours, this will completely recharge the mineral to work like new again. |
 |
Chemistry of Zeolites and Related Porous Materials: Synthesis and Structure by Ruren Xu (Author), Wenqin Pang (Author), Jihong Yu (Author), Qisheng Huo (Author), Jiesheng Chen (Author) Widely used in adsorption, catalysis and ion exchange, the family of molecular sieves such as zeolites has been greatly extended and many advances have recently been achieved in the field of molecular sieves synthesis and related porous materials. Chemistry of Zeolites and Related Porous Materials focuses on the synthetic and structural chemistry of the major types of molecular sieves. It offers a systematic introduction to and an in-depth discussion of microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous materials and also includes metal-organic frameworks. Provides focused coverage of the key aspects of molecular sieves Features two frontier subjects: molecular engineering and host-guest advanced materials Comprehensively covers both theory and application... |
 |
Waiora Natural Cellular Defense Liquid Zeolite NCD 4 bottles by Waiora Waiora Natural Cellular Defense Liquid Zeolite NCD 4 bottles |
 |
Zeolite Enhanced with DHQ - 1 oz - Liquid by Zortho (call for pricing) |
 |
Simple Solution Natural Litter Odor Eliminating Zeolite Granules, 32-Ounce Canister by Simple Solution A 100-percent natural zeolite volcanic mineral with an ionic charge that attracts odors. Millions of micro-sized pores in this natural mineral provide superior odor absorption and long-lasting results. Completely removes pet odors from carpets, crates, litter boxes, pet bedding and floor surfaces. Sprinkle lightly onto problem area and wait 24 hours or more to vacuum or sweep and repeat if necessary. If treating litter boxes, sprinkle lightly into a clean litter box, add litter then sprinkle granules again. Reapply after each scooping. |
 |
ZEOLITE-AV - Scientifically Proven Natural Antiviral - 90 Capsule Bottle by ZEO Health Ltd. ZEOLITE-AV is a breakthrough formula which contains 2 powerful all natural ingredients which have been proven to absorb the toxins, free radicals, and metals from your body, act as an antiviral, balance the pH in the body, and boost the immune system. ZEOLITE-AV is a one-two punch in the fight for good health. The Zeolite is mined specifically for human consumption and under top quality control. This is the form of Zeolite shown effective in all of the scientific studies. Our Humic ingredient is a proprietary concentrated product not found anywhere else on earth. This specific Humic Acid has been shown in independent studies to coat and isolate the virus before it can attach to the cell and multiply. No other natural product can compare. |
|
Zeolite: Nature's Heavy Metal Detoxifier by Howard Peiper (Author) Each year, people all around the world are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals and pollutants in air, water, food and soil. Too many people carry within their bodies a chilling "chemical cocktail" made up of food additives, industrial chemicals, heavy metals and the residues of pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs. To assure we maintain a state of good health, these toxins must be dealt with. This book will show you how Zeolite, an age-old substance derived from nature, has been shown to benefit the following: stops acute and chronic diarrhea, binds with and removes free radicals in the body, raises the body's antioxidant levels, helps alkalize to achieve the proper pH, binds mycotoxins - forming stable complexes, aid in heavy metal and chemical detoxification, binds radioactive... | |
 |
Destroxin - Amazing Zeolite Supplement - 90 caps by Zeo health Destroxin contains an amazing all natural, FDA approved as safe, mineral that has been proven to remove the toxins, free radicals and heavy metals from your body. This is the form of Zeolite that has been shown to be effective in all of the scientific studies (including against certain types of cancer). This is accomplished by balancing the ph in the body to creating an environment where these radical cells can not survive. Indications Acute health issues and detoxification needed. Ingredients Zeolite, Calcium carbonate, B-12 Directions Take 6 capsules 3 times the first day with water. Then continue with 2 capsules twice a day |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |