A new plastic membrane makes molecule separation easy. Molecular separation is used in clean coal technology, separation of greenhouse gases, increasing energy efficiency for water purification, etc. Scientists say the membrane could be used for climate change mitigation as well. The membrane allows CO2 and other small molecules to move through its hourglass-shaped pores while preventing movement of larger molecules like methane. The mechanism by which it works is similar to that of a plant membrane, which selectively transports water molecules in and out of cells while preventing the passage of other molecules such as salt.
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