Molecular Inclusion Compound R&D

Molecular inclusion compounds (e.g. clathrate hydrates, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hybrid MOFs) characterized by hydrogen/intermolecular bonding and cage-/channel-framework topologies are known to be able to host large quantities of gas molecules. Such compounds are found in nature - methane clathrates are abundant on the sea floor and in permafrost, CO₂ clathrates may exist on Mars, and H₂ clathrate may be present within the gas giant planets and their moons. Because of the differences in pressure/temperature stability, cage size, and framework/molecule interaction mechanisms, engineered molecular inclusion compounds may be uniquely effective for high-capacity gas storage applications and for gas separations.