Taiwanese achieve a breakthrough in nanotechnology

[dArKeR]

Accidents resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning could be effectively prevented by a catalyst recently invented in Taiwan, scientists at National Taiwan University (NTU) said yesterday.

Potential applications of the new catalyst include the production of masks used in fire accidents and the improvement of fuel cells.

"If the catalyst can be firmly attached to masks, victims at the scene of a fire might inhale less carbon monoxide," Mou Chung-yuan (牟中原), a NTU chemistry professor, said at a press conference yesterday.

Chemical researchers have been trying to produce new catalysts to bring about a chemical reaction to transform poisonous carbon monoxide into less-harmful carbon dioxide, he said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/11/11/2003075400