A new crystal could let divers breathe underwater… but not just yet. We verified this rumor at Snopes.com for our readers.
In fact, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a crystalline material that absorbs high concentrations of oxygen like a sponge (dubbed the “Aquaman Crystal”). A small bucket of the material can pull all of the oxygen from a room, and the crystals are capable of extracting oxygen from water as well. The oxygen is then stored for later use.
As reported by scubadiving.com: “This could be valuable for lung patients who today must carry heavy oxygen tanks with them,” said professor Christine McKenzie of the University of Southern Denmark, in a statement. “But also divers may one day be able to leave the oxygen tanks at home and instead get oxygen from this material as it “filters” and concentrates oxygen from surrounding air or water.
From all articles we’ve read to date, turning these crystals into an underwater-breathing apparatus for divers will be no small feat, but stay tuned.