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A Calgary scientist is celebrating receiving a U.S. patent for his invention of a machine that detects molecules of a poisonous gasoline and turns them into liquid.
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Charles Odame-Ankrah stated it is an achievement he hopes can encourage extra black and immigrant youth in Alberta to pursue careers in STEM, a area the place black persons are traditionally underrepresented.
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“There’s room for everybody,” says Odame-Ankrah, an analytical chemist who earned his PhD on the College of Calgary. He’s from Ghana, and sits on the board of the Calgary African Neighborhood Collective.
“I’m very grateful for the chance given to Canadians like me… If Alberta continues to open its doorways to immigrants from all over the world, I hope that a few of this magic can proceed to occur.”
Machine might assist scientists struggle local weather change
The patent, granted on December 29, 2022, is for a photolytic converter that detects and breaks down molecules of nitrogen dioxide, a chemical compound emitted by sources together with automobiles and gasoline stoves. The gasoline is poisonous and might have destructive well being impacts, relying on the focus of gasoline within the air, and the period and frequency of publicity.
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The machine captures nitrogen dioxide molecules within the air after which makes use of warmth to interrupt them down right into a liquid output that may be measured.
It is an innovation Odame-Ankrah stated he hopes might have optimistic implications for scientists working to fight world warming.
“A part of the struggle in opposition to local weather change is to precisely measure all of the issues that contribute to local weather change, and nitrogen dioxide is certainly one of them,” he stated.
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Odame-Ankrah stated the expertise additionally reveals the significance of small companies investing in range within the office and hiring individuals who might not match their normal profile, a message he stated he hopes employers think about throughout Black Historical past Month.
“Individuals from these numerous backgrounds have to be given the alternatives, as a result of if we aren’t given alternatives, it gives the look that we aren’t succesful,” he stated.
jherring@postmedia.com
Twitter: @jasonfherring
