Diamonds to the rescue! A girl's best friend can also save the planet from overheating caused by climate change. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and Earth scientists suggests that even though it might seem odd, this might become a reality someday.

The researchers explored the potential of diamond dust that can be released from an aeroplane into the atmosphere as a potential solution to reverse global warming.

Earth is heating up and experts suggest it might have already reached a point of no return. Drastic measures need to be taken to dramatically cool down the planet and simply curbing greenhouse gas emissions might not help.&nbsp;

Scientists worldwide agree that injecting aerosols into the atmosphere can help solve the problem as it can reflect sunlight and excess heat back into space. Sulfur dioxide, which naturally occurs in the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions, has been the frontrunner in this race.

However, it comes with its side effects and can cause acid rain across the world, damage the ozone layer, and also cause unpredictable weather changes in the lower atmosphere.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/flying-saucer-or-cloud-strange-pet-feature-reappears-in-same-spot-in-new-zealand-769792">Flying saucer or cloud? Strange 'pet' feature reappears in same spot in New Zealand</a>

So they were forced to look for other viable options. Experts conducted a study in the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich where they created a 3D climate model to know the impacts of different types of aerosols.

They evaluated their interaction with light and heat, their longevity in the air, their potential to group together, and how they would eventually fall back to Earth.

<h2>Diamonds can save the planet, but will prove costly</h2>

They found seven candidates that could solve the problem - calcite, diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, and sulfur dioxide, were put to the test. Diamond dust emerged as the surprising winner.

Diamond dust was found to reflect the most light and heat in the experiment. The dust could also remain aloft for suitable lengths of time and was less likely to clump together to retain heat.&nbsp;

The added bonus was that it would not create acid rain because it&nbsp;is chemically inert.&nbsp;

However, considering it is diamonds, the solution comes with a huge price tag. The model recommends that Earth can be cooled down by approximately 1.6°C in 45 years if about five million tonnes of synthetic diamond dust is injected into the atmosphere every year. This exercise would cost a whopping $200 trillion.&nbsp;

The process also has significant technological and logistical challenges. Current manufacturing technologies and infrastructure are not apt for the scenario and need to advance manifold to create and synthesise the diamond dust on such a massive scale.&nbsp;

To deploy the diamond dust every year means having a specialised aircraft or spacecraft to release the particles at the requisite altitude globally.&nbsp;

Diamonds to the rescue! A girl's best friend can also save the planet from overheating caused by climate change. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and Earth scientists suggests that even though it might seem odd, this might become a reality someday.

Diamonds to the rescue! A girl's best friend can also save the planet from overheating caused by climate change. A team of climatologists, meteorologists, and Earth scientists suggests that even though it might seem odd, this might become a reality someday. The researchers explored the potential of diamond dust that can be released from an aeroplane into the atmosphere as a potential solution to reverse global warming. Earth is heating up and experts suggest it might have already reached a point of no return. Drastic measures need to be taken to dramatically cool down the planet and simply curbing greenhouse gas emissions might not help. Scientists worldwide agree that injecting aerosols into the atmosphere can help solve the problem as it can reflect sunlight and excess heat back into space. Sulfur dioxide, which naturally occurs in the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions, has been the frontrunner in this race. However, it comes with its side effects and can cause acid rain across the world, damage the ozone layer, and also cause unpredictable weather changes in the lower atmosphere. Also Read: Flying saucer or cloud? Strange 'pet' feature reappears in same spot in New Zealand So they were forced to look for other viable options. Experts conducted a study in the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich where they created a 3D climate model to know the impacts of different types of aerosols. They evaluated their interaction with light and heat, their longevity in the air, their potential to group together, and how they would eventually fall back to Earth. Diamonds can save the planet, but will prove costly They found seven candidates that could solve the problem - calcite, diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, and sulfur dioxide, were put to the test. Diamond dust emerged as the surprising winner. Diamond dust was found to reflect the most light and heat in the experiment. The dust could also remain aloft for suitable lengths of time and was less likely to clump together to retain heat. The added bonus was that it would not create acid rain because it is chemically inert. However, considering it is diamonds, the solution comes with a huge price tag. The model recommends that Earth can be cooled down by approximately 1.6°C in 45 years if about five million tonnes of synthetic diamond dust is injected into the atmosphere every year. This exercise would cost a whopping $200 trillion. The process also has significant technological and logistical challenges. Current manufacturing technologies and infrastructure are not apt for the scenario and need to advance manifold to create and synthesise the diamond dust on such a massive scale. To deploy the diamond dust every year means having a specialised aircraft or spacecraft to release the particles at the requisite altitude globally.

Scientists tout diamond dust, a $200 trillion solution, to cool down Earth

Scientists have designed an inexpensive, transparent coating that can turn surfaces like windows and ceilings into glue pads to trap airborne aerosol droplets by&nbsp;repurposing common ingredients in hair conditioner.

The substance can be applied to surfaces such as plexiglass dividers to capture respiratory droplets, rather than allowing them to bounce off and remain in circulation.

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"Droplets collide with indoor surfaces all the time," said Northwestern University engineering professor Jiaxing Huang, senior author of a paper on the subject that was published Wednesday in the journal Chem.

"Right now, plexiglass dividers are deviating devices; they deflect droplets. If a surface could actually trap droplets, then every single droplet effectively removed from indoor air would be a successful elimination of a potential source of transmission."

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory fluids,&nbsp;including large droplets and fine aerosols,&nbsp;when an infected person speaks, sneezes or breathes.

The main way to remove these from the air is to open windows and to use high-filtration devices that capture fine particles and change out the air at high rates.

To build extra protection on top of that, Huang and colleagues came up with the idea of using PAAm-DDA, a polymer that is commonly used in hair products and other cosmetics to lock in moisture, as the main ingredient of their coating.

They applied the substance with a brush to a variety of surfaces and performed tests to compare coated and uncoated surfaces.

A coated plexiglass barrier captured nearly all aerosolized microdroplets, and 80 percent of large droplets, compared to a barrier that was uncoated.

The coating did not become visibly soiled after use, and the scientists said it would not require cleaning more often than non-coated barriers. Once saturated, the substance should be wiped down with water and reapplied.

Since it can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including concrete, metal, and fabric, Huang said it could be used on low-touch areas such as walls or curtains to turn those into "functional devices" that would help capture aerosolized particles.

Many more research steps are required to confirm the coating's utility before it can be authorised for use.

"We understood that the current pandemic may end before this concept is implemented," Huang said. "It may or may not be used now. But next time, when an outbreak like this happens, I think we will be better equipped."

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have designed an inexpensive, transparent coating that can turn surfaces like windows and ceilings into glue pads to trap airborne aerosol droplets by repurposing common ingredients in hair conditioner.

Scientists have designed an inexpensive, transparent coating that can turn surfaces like windows and ceilings into glue pads to trap airborne aerosol droplets by repurposing common ingredients in hair conditioner. The substance can be applied to surfaces such as plexiglass dividers to capture respiratory droplets, rather than allowing them to bounce off and remain in circulation. "Droplets collide with indoor surfaces all the time," said Northwestern University engineering professor Jiaxing Huang, senior author of a paper on the subject that was published Wednesday in the journal Chem. "Right now, plexiglass dividers are deviating devices; they deflect droplets. If a surface could actually trap droplets, then every single droplet effectively removed from indoor air would be a successful elimination of a potential source of transmission." COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory fluids, including large droplets and fine aerosols, when an infected person speaks, sneezes or breathes. The main way to remove these from the air is to open windows and to use high-filtration devices that capture fine particles and change out the air at high rates. To build extra protection on top of that, Huang and colleagues came up with the idea of using PAAm-DDA, a polymer that is commonly used in hair products and other cosmetics to lock in moisture, as the main ingredient of their coating. They applied the substance with a brush to a variety of surfaces and performed tests to compare coated and uncoated surfaces. A coated plexiglass barrier captured nearly all aerosolized microdroplets, and 80 percent of large droplets, compared to a barrier that was uncoated. The coating did not become visibly soiled after use, and the scientists said it would not require cleaning more often than non-coated barriers. Once saturated, the substance should be wiped down with water and reapplied. Since it can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including concrete, metal, and fabric, Huang said it could be used on low-touch areas such as walls or curtains to turn those into "functional devices" that would help capture aerosolized particles. Many more research steps are required to confirm the coating's utility before it can be authorised for use. "We understood that the current pandemic may end before this concept is implemented," Huang said. "It may or may not be used now. But next time, when an outbreak like this happens, I think we will be better equipped." (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Scientists develop wall coating that can capture aerosols and droplets from air

The study, published in the The Lancet Planetary Health, has been funded by the UN Environment Programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

India: Air pollution killed 1.6 million people in 2019, led to 1.4% of GDP loss

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