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"Aquaman Crystals" Could Sustain Breathing Underwater

By Scuba Diving Partner | Updated On January 30, 2017
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"Aquaman Crystals" Could Sustain Breathing Underwater


If you've ever wanted to be an underwater superhero — and you don't have the money to buy an Exosuit — "Aquaman Crystals" might be your answer.

OK, you won't be able to summon sea creatures or have superhuman strength, but breathing underwater is nothing to scoff at.

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a crystalline material that absorbs high concentrations of oxygen like a sponge. Just a handful of the material can pull all of the oxygen from a room, researchers say, and the crystals are capable of extracting oxygen from water as well. The oxygen is then stored for later use.

"When the material is saturated with oxygen, it can be compared to an oxygen tank containing pure oxygen under pressure — the difference is that this material can hold three times as much oxygen," professor Christine McKenzie said in a release.

When the crystals are exposed to heat or areas with low levels of oxygen, the crystals are able to release their stored oxygen. McKenzie said in the release that researchers are investigating whether this oxygen release can be light-activated as well.

While researchers still have their work cut out for them when it comes to turning these crystals into an underwater-breathing apparatus, the possibilities are amazing. In addition to benefits for the dive community, the "Aquaman Crystals" also have potential to replace air tanks used by cancer patients to sustain breathing.

If you've ever wanted to be an underwater superhero — and you don't have the money to buy an Exosuit — "Aquaman Crystals" might be your answer.

OK, you won't be able to summon sea creatures or have superhuman strength, but breathing underwater is nothing to scoff at.

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a crystalline material that absorbs high concentrations of oxygen like a sponge. Just a handful of the material can pull all of the oxygen from a room, researchers say, and the crystals are capable of extracting oxygen from water as well. The oxygen is then stored for later use.

"When the material is saturated with oxygen, it can be compared to an oxygen tank containing pure oxygen under pressure — the difference is that this material can hold three times as much oxygen," professor Christine McKenzie said in a release.

When the crystals are exposed to heat or areas with low levels of oxygen, the crystals are able to release their stored oxygen. McKenzie said in the release that researchers are investigating whether this oxygen release can be light-activated as well.

While researchers still have their work cut out for them when it comes to turning these crystals into an underwater-breathing apparatus, the possibilities are amazing. In addition to benefits for the dive community, the "Aquaman Crystals" also have potential to replace air tanks used by cancer patients to sustain breathing.