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Gießen chemists create the most energy -rich connection of all time
At the University of Gießen, scientists have developed a connection that could become the world’s most efficient energy storage – and to the rocket fuel.
In the science world, the performance creates enthusiasm: a team from the Justus Liebig University Gießen around the chemistry professor Peter R. Schreiner has produced hexastizer, short “N6”. “This is the most energy -reaching molecule that has ever been made,” said Study Director Schreiner. In addition, it was previously unable to produce an insulable, neutral connection from pure nitrogen worldwide that has more than two atoms.
“N6” twice as strong as TNT
According to the study, the energy that is becoming clear when the hexastizer is decomposed is around twice greater than that of the explosive TNT. But the researchers look at another use. “In fact, hexastiked material would be the most efficient energy storage,” says Schreiner. In addition, only the non -toxic, two -atomy nitrogen (N2) occurs in the decay of hexastermous (N6). It is not greenhouse gas and makes 78 percent of our air anyway.
However, there is still a lot to do until practical application: According to the study, hexasty fiber has been created at room temperature, but has a half -life of only about 35.7 thousands of seconds – then half has decayed. This is long enough to catch the produced hexastizer at very low temperatures. At minus 196 degrees Celsius he has a calculated half -life of more than 100 years. This corresponds to the temperature of liquid nitrogen, which is used as a coolant in many laboratories.
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Nobel price worthy
Hexa dizarre is not suitable as an explosive, but it is a rocket drive. “N6 would not burn with a flame,” said Schreiner in the magazine “Chemistry World”. There is only one energy cut that produces a large volume of gas – a lot of thrust. In addition, in contrast to conventional fuels, he does not generate corrosion. “This work is spectacular and in my opinion worthy of Nobel,” commented Karl Christe, emeritus chemist of the University of Southern California, in the same journal. The German-born 88-year-old wrote a number of specialist articles on nitrogen compounds.
The Gießen research team published its results in detail in the journal. However, the new N6 molecule is not easy to follow. “The handling of very energy -oriented connections is always associated with risks if their decomposition happens uncontrollably and all energy is released at once,” warns Peter R. Schreiner. In the future, N6 must therefore still be used to ensure the safe production and handling of N6 and the controlled conversion into ordinary nitrogen (N2). In addition, it is necessary to transfer the reaction to larger standards.
Source: Stern
