NASA screens greenhouse molecules

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- NASA scientists say they are developing a method of screening molecules to predict how certain materials will contribute to global warming.

In the new study led by Timothy Lee, chief of NASA's space science and astrobiology division, researchers noted carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas. However, other gases also have the capability to trap heat near the Earth's surface and are even more efficient then CO2.

The scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center said they analyzed more than a dozen molecules involved in global warming and discovered molecules containing several fluorine atoms tend to be strong greenhouse gases, compared to molecules containing chlorine and-or hydrogen.

"It is hoped that the results from this study will be used in the design of more environmentally friendly materials," the researchers said.

The study that included Timothy Lee, Partha Bera and Joseph Francisco is to appear in the Nov. 12 issue of the Journal of Physical Chemistry.