Scientists find ‘greener’ way to make O2

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 21

In the wake of acute shortage of oxygen during the pandemic that claimed many lives across the world, the Central University of Punjab and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU) have jointly conducted a research and developed a Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) that would prove beneficial and play a crucial role in tackling oxygen shortage and making it affordable amid the predictions of the possible third wave of Covid.

MRSPTU VC Buta Singh Sidhu said: “The current global pandemic has posed a challenge in oxygen supply to the patients at affordable prices in rural India. It will be a problem in remote areas because cryogenic oxygen production is energy intensive and will result in pressure on transport services.”

Dr J Nagendra Babu, Assistant Prof (Chemistry), CUP, said: “These MOFs can be used as substitute for costly zeolites and molecular sieves that are being used commercially. These are easy to prepare in energy-efficient greener synthetic methods. These can also be used for enhancing the oxygen storage capacity of cylinders.”