Super Plastic Sponge Could Ease Transition To Cleaner Energy

Plastic that soaks up carbon dioxide could someday be used in plant smokestacks. Credit: American Chemical Society
Plastic that soaks up carbon dioxide could someday be used in plant smokestacks.
Credit: American Chemical Society

A plastic sponge that sops up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) might ease our tranisition away from polluting fossil fuels to new energy sources like hydrogen. A relative of food container plastics could play a role in President Obama’s plan to cut CO2 emissions. The material might also someday be integrated into power plant smokestacks.