California Institute of Technology

Yunxi Yao

Konstantinos P Giapis

Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of COmolecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as COions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., Oand Oions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove COfrom Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with COemissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

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Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Yunxi Yao