Data Scientists Have Developed a Faster Way to Reduce Pollution, Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Polymeric membranes assist with a wide variety of tasks, including water filtration and gas-vapor separation. Designing a membrane for the desired function is more time-consuming than people may expect.

However, researchers at Columbia Engineering, Germany’s Max Planck Society and the University of South Carolina applied data science to the task to streamline their efforts.

More specifically, they combined big data with machine learning to strategically design polymer membranes to act as gas filters. People frequently depend on plastic films and membranes to separate mixtures of simple cases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Scientists have also suggested making membranes that segregate carbon dioxide from other gases. Doing so facilitates tasks like carbon capture and natural gas purification.

The problem is hundreds of thousands of plastics exist as possible candidates for the membranes. That sounds like a good thing since it offers an abundance of choices. However, since each one varies in its chemical makeup, testing and manufacturing a particular material is an exceptionally time-consuming and expensive endeavor. These realities mean researchers have only examined about 1,000 options as possible membranes for gas separation.

 

Maximizing Success With Machine Learning

Scientists concluded that a method of efficiently selecting the best polymers for gas filtration could increase the likelihood of people developing solutions faster and at lower costs. They made a machine learning algorithm that linked the chemical structures of the polymers tested for this purpose so far with their transport properties.

The transport properties for gas are:

  • Viscosity: A measure of its internal friction, or the amount of force required to keep something solid moving through it.
  • Heat conduction: Related to internal energy transfer that causes temperature changes.
  • Diffusion: An action whereby atoms and molecules move together from a state of higher to lower concentration.

The researchers wanted to use data science to predict the best materials for gas-separation membranes without the usual expensive and lengthy approach.

 

Putting Data Science to Work

After building an algorithm, they used it to assess more than 11,000 previously identified polymers. They ended up with approximately 100 polymer options not already examined for gas transport capabilities.

The researchers then made the suggested polymers and turned them into thin films. The algorithm showed that despite the lack of a trial, those materials would exceed the performance of membranes currently used to separate carbon dioxide from methane. Real-life tests showed that the polymers separated gases with a capability close to what the algorithm predicted.

After the team created their algorithm to gauge a particular membrane’s likely ability to perform, they turned their attention to figuring out which chemical structures are the best to consider when creating gas-separation membranes. Getting those insights should spur progress as scientists determine the most appropriate uses for these membranes to help the environment or for other reasons.

 

A Worthwhile Experiment

Brian Benicewicz is a University of South Carolina chemistry professor who worked on the project. While outlining the benefits of the new process, he said, “It removes the guesswork and the old trial-and-error work, which is very ineffective. You don’t have to make hundreds of different materials and test them. Now you’re letting the machine learn. It can narrow your search.”

Benicewicz also explained that membrane design often becomes more challenging as developers try to strike a balance between permeability and selectivity. The molecules in question are so tiny that if a membrane lets one gas through, it may not effectively filter out another.

Another member of the research team compared this machine learning-driven method to Netflix helping people find the movies they like most. Algorithms assess what a person watched before, then assign percentage scores to available titles to tell a viewer how appropriate of a match they are. Here, machine learning examined characteristics of polymers proven effective for gas separation to increase the chances of good results when using a new polymer.

 

Digging Into Data for Improved Designs

Sanat K. Kumar, a chemical engineering professor from Columbia University who worked on this project, believes this new application of big data could lead to better polymer designs. Then, researchers may feel more compelled to look at materials they never considered before, possibly ending up with superior results.

Kumar weighed in by saying, “This work thus points to a new way of materials design. Rather than test all the materials that exist for a particular application, you look for the part of a material that best serves the need that you have. When you combine the very best materials, then you have a shot at designing a better material.”

People who participated in this work said that this process is commercially viable. One of the near-term applications for separating carbon dioxide from methane with a membrane material discovered through this process is in the natural gas industry. Carbon dioxide causes pipeline corrosion, providing a reason to efficiently and thoroughly remove it.

Another possibility is using membranes to separate greenhouse gases from coal. Doing that would have a positive effect on emissions in the environment.

It’s still too early to say whether this high-tech method of choosing membrane materials will become a widely used option. No matter what, it’s an inspiring example of using machine learning to overcome obstacles and get impressive results.

 

Original post: https://www.kdnuggets.com/2020/07/data-scientists-faster-way-reduce-pollution-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html

86 comentários em “Data Scientists Have Developed a Faster Way to Reduce Pollution, Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  1. I’m the business owner of JustCBD Store label (justcbdstore.com) and am looking to broaden my wholesale side of business. I am hoping anybody at targetdomain can help me 🙂 I thought that the most effective way to do this would be to reach out to vape companies and cbd stores. I was hoping if anybody at all could suggest a reputable website where I can buy Global Vape Company Email List I am presently reviewing creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Not sure which one would be the most suitable solution and would appreciate any advice on this. Or would it be easier for me to scrape my own leads? Ideas?

  2. I am the manager of JustCBD Store label (justcbdstore.com) and I am currently looking to develop my wholesale side of business. I am hoping someone at targetdomain can help me 🙂 I thought that the most suitable way to do this would be to connect to vape companies and cbd retail stores. I was hoping if anybody could suggest a trusted web-site where I can purchase CBD Shops B2B Sales Leads I am currently examining creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Not exactly sure which one would be the most ideal choice and would appreciate any guidance on this. Or would it be easier for me to scrape my own leads? Suggestions?

  3. I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your information. Your article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  4. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  5. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people do not discuss such subjects. To the next! Many thanks!!

  6. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  7. This is the right website for anyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that has been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  8. Can I just say what a comfort to discover someone that really knows what they are talking about online. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people have to read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you definitely have the gift.

  9. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more on this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Many thanks!!

  10. You have made some decent points there. I looked on the net for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

  11. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this subject here on your website.

  12. I really love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own blog and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Appreciate it!

  13. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  14. Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  15. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  16. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  17. Hello, I do think your website may be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent website!

  18. I’m very pleased to uncover this great site. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to see new stuff on your site.

  19. When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos!

  20. Can I simply just say what a relief to uncover a person that actually knows what they are discussing on the web. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.

  21. Hi there! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for your great info you have got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.

  22. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your information. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  23. Greetings, I do think your web site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great site!

  24. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but generally people do not speak about these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

  25. May I simply say what a relief to discover someone that really knows what they’re talking about on the net. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular given that you surely possess the gift.

  26. Right here is the right webpage for everyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that has been written about for ages. Great stuff, just excellent!

  27. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should publish more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not discuss these subjects. To the next! Cheers!!

  28. When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!

  29. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss these topics. To the next! All the best!!

  30. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I found this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  31. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more about this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people do not talk about such topics. To the next! All the best!!

  32. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you should publish more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t talk about these subjects. To the next! All the best!!

  33. You made some good points there. I checked on the net for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.|

  34. Achieving your fitness goals doesn’t have to require a certified personal trainer or an expensive gym memberships, it is not hard to exercise at home. It is easy to go down a training and fitness rabbit hole, however, when you are looking for the best home exercise equipment to outfit your personal home gym.

  35. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  36. After I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  37. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos!

  38. You made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  39. You’re so cool! I do not think I’ve truly read something like that before. So wonderful to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  40. Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *